BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Miami-Dade Expressway Authority has a nine member Board of Directors. The Board reflects a broad spectrum of management, business, professional, public service and government expertise.
Of the nine members, eight are non-paid local business and civic leaders. The ninth member is the Florida Department of Transportation District Six Secretary, who serves as a voting member of the MDX Board of Directors. Of the current eight volunteers, Florida's Governor appoints three and the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners appoints the remaining five members. In 2016 the Florida Legislature adopted a bill that reduces MDX to a nine member Board of Directors with three appointed by the Florida Governor, five appointed by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of Transportation District Six Secretary serving as the ninth member of the Board of Directors. The current board members are featured below.
Luz Weinberg
Treasurer
CEO, GlobComm, LLC
Stacy L. Miller
District VI Secretary, Florida Department of Transportation
Josenrique Cueto, P.E.
Deputy Director, Chief Project Delivery Officer, Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works
Shelly Smith Fano
Executive Director of the Hospitality Institute Program,Miami Dade College's Miami International Hospitality Center
Executive Director
Darlene M. Fernandez, P.E.
Executive Director
Miami-Dade Expressway Authority
Miami-Dade Expressway Authority Staff
The Miami-Dade Expressway Authority operates in Miami-Dade County with a staff of approximately 29 professionals who are committed to making your commute safer and more efficient.
Luz Weinberg
Treasurer
CEO, GlobComm, LLC
An MDC and FIU Magna Cum Laude Psychology Graduate, Commissioner Luz Urbaez Weinberg is proud of her long history of pubic service. She leads GlobComm, LLC, a communications consulting firm specializing in large-scale construction impact mitigation (CMI) Management. Most notably, Ms. Weinberg led all external and internal (CMI) efforts at the $1B Port Miami Tunnel and 9.1-acre Brickell City Center for French design-build-finance contractor Bouygues. Other current and recent notable projects include $3.8B Hampton Roads Connector Expansion in Virginia, $2B Site C in B.C., Canada, and 2M-sf Esplanade at Aventura. After more than 15 years of community volunteerism, Ms. Weinberg was elected outright to the City of Aventura Commission in March 2005, was reelected unopposed in 2010, served through term limits in November 2014, and helped establish the city's charter middle school, performing arts center and other capital projects while maintaining the lowest milage rate in the tri-county area. She also served on the board of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) as Treasurer and Vice President from 2009 to 2015. Weinberg was first appointed to MDX by Governor Rick Scott in 2013, and re-appointed in 2018. She served as Treasurer on the board of TEAM FL 2017-2018. She has been unanimously and consecutively elected Treasurer of MDX by her peers since 2019. In July 2021, the Miami-Dade County Commission unanimously appointed Commissioner Weinberg to her third term on MDX. Weinberg is proud to help lead Miami-Dade's commerce and mobility through this agency's safe, reliable, convenient and efficient highway system.
Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners
Appointment Date: 07/23/2021
Term Expiration: 05/18/2025
Email Address: boardsecretary@mdxway.com.
Telephone: 305-637-3277
Mailing Address: 3790 NW 21 Street Miami, Fl 33142
Stacy L. Miller
Florida Department of Transportation
Appointment Date: 03/04/21
Appointment : District Six Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation
Email Address: boardsecretary@mdxway.com.
Telephone: 305-637-3277
Mailing Address: 3790 NW 21 Street Miami, Fl 33142
Josenrique Cueto, P.E.
Deputy Director, Chief Project Delivery Officer, Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works
Mr. Cueto currently serves as Deputy Director and Chief Project Delivery Officer for the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW). Mr. Cueto is responsible for overseeing the entirety of the DTPW’s $6.2 billion capital improvement program, which includes the effectuation of Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Program and improvements to the County’s existing transit, roadway, bridge, and other transportation infrastructure. In addition to leading capital improvements on behalf of DTPW, Mr. Cueto is responsible for the Department’s permitting functions, transit-oriented developments, right of way acquisition, and other efforts. DTPW is the 15th largest transit agency in the United States and the largest in Florida, also operating the largest roadway and bridge network within the State.
Prior to joining DTPW, Mr. Cueto served as the Deputy Director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. In his role he was tasked with overseeing Miami-Dade’s Planning, Zoning, Building, Code Compliance, Environmental Resources Management, Consumer Protection, and other Divisions consisting of approximately 1,000 employees. The Department is tasked with providing a wide spectrum of services to the public ranging from the issuance of building and environmental permits to the development of infrastructure, comprehensive development master planning, and enforcement of Miami-Dade County’s Code.
Mr. Cueto also served as Interim Director for the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, one of the largest water utilities in the United States. He was responsible for overseeing the Department’s $750 million operating budget, more than 2,800 staff members, its $7.5 billion capital infrastructure improvement program and other initiatives. Before becoming Interim Director, Mr. Cueto served as Assistant Director for Planning and Regulatory Compliance. In his role, Mr. Cueto was responsible for planning efforts associated with the utility’s long term multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program with the objective of positioning the Miami‐Dade County Water & Sewer Department as a Utility of the Future. Mr. Cueto is also charged with leading the utility’s Regulatory Compliance, Development, and Engineering/Construction Contracting programs.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Cueto worked as an engineering consultant assisting public agencies with the planning, assessment, design, construction, and permitting of infrastructure in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean funded by the Interamerican Development Bank, World Bank, USAID, and other agencies. Mr. Cueto’s previous experience also includes service as project manager for the City of Coral Gables Florida, overseeing a variety of infrastructure projects.
Mr. Cueto is a registered professional engineer in the State of Florida and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami along with a Master degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida. Mr. Cueto also serves on the board of directors of several professional associations, including the Miami-Dade Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineer (Past President), Region VII of the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association, and the Cuban American Association of Civil Engineers (Past President). Mr. Cueto is a member of Leadership Florida Connect Class 10.
Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners
Appointment Date: 05/01/22
Term Expiration: 05/18/25
Email Address: boardsecretary@mdxway.com.
Telephone: 305-637-3277
Mailing Address: 3790 NW 21 Street Miami, Fl 33142
Darlene M. Fernandez, P.E.
Executive Director
Miami-Dade Expressway Authority
Darlene M. Fernandez has worked as a transportation professional for the past 20 years both in the public and private sector. Ms. Fernandez is the Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX). MDX was created in 1994 by the Miami-Dade County Commission to establish local control over the toll revenue collected on five expressways for investment of local transportation infrastructure. Ms. Fernandez is the first woman to lead MDX and the third Executive Director in its 30-year existence.
As Executive Director, she manages and directs the operations, management, and expansion of the MDX system of expressways within Miami-Dade County and currently a Five-Year Work Program of $932 million. She is focusing on the delivery of the future of mobility and the contribution of MDX to the well-being of our community.
Prior to joining MDX, she served as the Assistant Director of Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works overseeing Traffic Signals, Signs Division and Traffic Engineering. She steered strategy, management and maintenance of the County’s traffic signals and traffic controls devices and specialized in complex transportation, traffic, and infrastructure projects.
In addition, all traffic studies for Miami-Dade and its municipalities fell under her purview, which provided her with a special perspective of the transportation needs of the residents of Miami-Dade County.
Ms. Fernandez started her career at the Florida Department of Transportation and worked in the private sector for various major engineering firms as well as for the City of Miami Beach. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida International University and has been a Registered Engineer since 2005.
She has been an avid community supporter in civic and professional associations that includes the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Florida Engineering Society. She also served as a past Board Member of MDX and recently received In the Company of Women Award 2022 - Government & Law Non-Elect from the Miami-Dade County Commission on Women & Parks Department.
Darlene Fernandez lives in Miami-Dade with her husband Andy, and their two sons, AJ, and Brandon.
Jean Monestime
Commissioner Jean Monestime strongly believes that there is no greater gift than the gift of service to others. Throughout his more than 30 years as a resident of Miami-Dade County, Monestime has worked hard to achieve the American Dream, becoming the first Haitian-American to serve on the Board of County Commissioners, where he has worked to expand opportunities for others, thus paving the way for future generations.
Monestime was first elected to represent District 2 on the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners on November 2, 2010. District 2 includes portions of the City of Miami, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka, and the unincorporated areas of Liberty City, Biscayne Gardens and North Central Dade. He was overwhelmingly re-elected in August 2014 for a second four-year term, and in November 2014 chosen unanimously to serve as Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners for two years.
On February 20, 2015 Commissioner Monestime was selected unanimously by municipal, school board, and commission colleagues to preside over the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Governing Board.
Commissioner Monestime exemplifies an active life of service. He is a former City of North Miami Councilman and Vice-Mayor. He was a Delegate to the National Democratic Convention and later selected as a Florida Electoral College member for the 2012 U.S. presidential election, another prestigious and historic appointment!
Additionally, he is the President of JEMO Realty, Inc, a full-service real estate and insurance company, and JEMO Enterprises, LLC, a business consulting agency. Moreover, he is a former Miami-Dade County Public School teacher and worked as an adjunct professor of management at the University of Phoenix, South Florida campus.
As an advocate for equal justice and economic development, Monestime has lectured and presented dozens of seminars. He has been a guest on several radio and TV programs on issues related to community leadership, business and financial matters, as well as local government and civism.
Among his extensive civic involvements, Monestime has served as a member of the NAACP, National Black MBA Association, Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition, the African-American NON-GROUP Coalition, Turner Tech High School Academy of Finance Board, Haitian American Political Action Committee, Little Haiti Optimist Club, the Society of Haitian-American Professionals and Entrepreneurs, the Florida Governor’s Haiti Advisory Group and the University and Community Zone Schools Advisory Committee. Commissioner Monestime has been an active member of Eden SDA Church since 1981, where he's served as Head Elder and currently as Choir Director.
The Commissioner has an MBA from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Florida International University. Mr. Monestime is also a graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
He is married to Kettia and they have two adult sons.
Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners
Appointment Date: 05/18/21
Term Expiration: 05/18/25
Email Address: boardsecretary@mdxway.com.
Telephone: 305-637-3277
Mailing Address: 3790 NW 21 Street Miami, Fl 33142
Dennis C. Moss
Vice Chair
Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners
Appointment Date: 05/18/21
Term Expiration: 05/18/25
Email Address: boardsecretary@mdxway.com.
Telephone: 305-637-3277
Mailing Address: 3790 NW 21 Street Miami, Fl 33142
Rafael Rodon
Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners
Appointment Date: 05/18/21
Term Expiration: 05/18/25
Email Address: boardsecretary@mdxway.com.
Telephone: 305-637-3277
Mailing Address: 3790 NW 21 Street Miami, Fl 33142
Shelly Smith Fano
Executive Director of the Hospitality Institute Program of the Miami International Hospitality Center at Miami Dade College
Ms. Smith-Fano is the Executive Director of the Hospitality Institute Program of the Miami International Hospitality Center at Miami Dade College. The Hospitality Institute was established to connect Miami’s inner city residents with job opportunities in the local hospitality and tourism industry through job readiness and customer service training. Since its inception in 2007, The Hospitality Institute has provided training and job placement assistance to thousands of participants.
Ms. Smith-Fano is active in local, state and federal civic organizations. She received an Associate in Arts degree from Miami-Dade College, a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages and a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management from Florida International University and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Organizational leadership from Northcentral University.
Appointment By: Governor of Florida
Appointment Date: 04/07/08
Term Expiration: 04/06/20
Email Address: boardsecretary@mdxway.com.
Telephone: 305-637-3277
Mailing Address: 3790 NW 21 Street Miami, Fl 33142
Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Chairman Jose “Pepe” Diaz serves as the Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners and the Commissioner for District 12, which includes the cities of of Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens, and a large portion of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. He was first elected as commissioner in September 2002 and was re-elected to a fifth term in 2018. He also served as the Vice-Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners from 2009-2010. On Nov. 19, 2020, he was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
Chairman Diaz has served in various capacities on different committees of the County Commission and serves on the Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County Advisory Board, the Public Health Trust Nominating Council, the Public Health Trust/Miami-Dade County Annual Operating Agreement Committee, and the Jackson Health System’s General Obligation Bond Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Additionally, Chairman Diaz, who proudly served as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, was appointed as Miami-Dade County's Military Liaison and also serves as the Chairman of Miami-Dade County’s Military Affairs Board.
On the international level, Chairman Diaz is an advocate for trade and forging partnerships with other nations, and he currently serves as Chairman of the International Trade Consortium Board. In March 2010, Chairman Diaz was appointed by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to serve on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade (IGPAC) and proudly served until April 2018. In this capacity, Chairman Diaz advised, consulted with, and made recommendations to the U.S. Trade Representative from the perspective of local governments. He also serves as Chairman of the International Trade Consortium (ITC), where he has been instrumental in making profitable connections for businesses on behalf of Miami-Dade County with the Caribbean and Latin America. He toured several Asian cities in 2005 (Tianjin, Hong Kong and Shanghai), met with government officials and business organizations to promote trade partnerships, and participated in a ceremony to mark a joint venture between Florida International University and Tianjin University of Commerce. He and the Asian delegation also secured a cooperative agreement for the County with Tianjin's Municipal People's Government.
In addition to his County duties, Chairman Diaz serves on the Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County Advisory Board. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade County Sports Commission, which is charged with attracting youth, adult amateur, and professional sporting events to the county and generating support for those events. Under his leadership, the Sports Commission created a local bid committee to support Miami as a future host city for the FIFA World Cup and also coordinated a massive block party on Brickell Avenue to support bringing the FIFA World Cup to the United States. Thanks to the Sports Commission, Miami-Dade County hosted its first WrestleMania in 2012, generating $102.7 million in economic impact for Miami-Dade County.
Before joining the Commission, Chairman Diaz worked to resolve the ongoing flooding issues throughout Miami-Dade County as Mayor of Sweetwater. He spent countless hours lobbying in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., and acquired the funds necessary for a Comprehensive Street Drainage Project. Chairman Diaz continues to work with local and state emergency management teams to prevent future flooding. Former Governor Jeb Bush appointed him to the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, where he continues to advise on proposed regulations that could adversely affect West Miami-Dade's water levels.
Chairman Diaz is a strong advocate for the elderly and the military. In 2006, he spearheaded the “Seniors Never Alone” program, which ensures that enrolled seniors receive a call at least twice a week. The program is operated by the Switchboard of Miami, Inc., and each reassurance specialist engages seniors in conversation, providing emergency assistance if necessary. Chairman Diaz also served on the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee. He strongly advocated for the USS Gridley, which became the first Navy warship to be commissioned in Miami on February 10, 2007. He also organized Miami-Dade’s historic Golden Veterans Parade and 50th Anniversary Commemoration on Nov. 8, 2013 to give Vietnam veterans the long-overdue proper homecoming they deserved.
Chairman Diaz is married and has three daughters, Monique, Celine and Krystal; and two grandchildren, Marcus and Rey. He was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba and has lived in Sweetwater, Fla., for more than 30 years. In 1979, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in December 1984. In 1986, he began his career in public service as Chairman of the City of Sweetwater Police Retirement Trust Fund Board. For the next seven years, he served on the City of Sweetwater Commission and was elected Mayor of Sweetwater in May 1999.
Appointment By: Board of County Commissioners
Appointment Date: 05/18/21
Term Expiration: 05/18/25
Email Address: boardsecretary@mdxway.com.
Telephone: 305-637-3277
Mailing Address: 3790 NW 21 Street Miami, Fl 33142