MARK GALE
CEO & DIRECTOR OF AVIATION, FORT LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FORT LAUDERDALE
Gale, CEO/director of aviation since 2016, is responsible for the management and operation of both the Fort Lauderdale airport and its general aviation reliever, North Perry Airport. Fort Lauderdale International is one of Broward County’s strongest economic engines. In 2019, it hosted nearly 37 million passengers, making it the 18th-busiest airport in the U.S.
| EDUCATION | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (BS) |
| FAVORITE VACATION | My favorite vacations have always been enjoying the sand of Sea Isle City, N.J. in September and walking the beach every morning at sunrise. |
| FLORIDA ISSUE | Tough call. I think it’s a toss-up between climate change/sea-level rise and dealing with the infrastructure challenges of a rapidly growing (and aging) population |
| ALTERNATE CAREER? | I always thought it would be fun to own/operate a small Italian-style restaurant, maybe stemming from my early days working in them! |