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MIAMI, FL – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023 – The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the County’s official public-private economic development partnership, announces their newly elected 2023-2024 leadership including Officers and Board of Directors. The Board of Directors consists of volunteer leaders from the community’s leading businesses, community organizations, educational institutions, nonprofits, and local government, and provides leadership and governance for the 501 (c)6.
Juan Carlos Liscano, American Airlines Vice President for Miami, has been elected Chair of the 2023-2024 Board of Directors. An active Beacon Council Board Member, Liscano has also co-chaired Beacon’s Opportunity Miami initiative for the last two years. Serving as Chair-Elect over the past year, he also worked very closely with The Beacon Council’s Search Committee to recruit and hire the organization’s newly appointed president, Rodrick T. Miller. Through his engagement and commitment to The Beacon Council, along with his work and impact at American Airlines, Liscano has demonstrated his commitment to elevating Miami-Dade business and driving equitable opportunities for growth for our community.
“Serving as Chair of The Beacon Council’s Board of Directors is an honor. I look forward to continuing our momentum in developing a growth strategy that fully supports and lifts every member of our community,” said Juan Carlos Liscano 2023-2024 Chair, Miami-Dade Beacon Council. “As Miami’s Hometown Airline for more than 30 years, American Airlines’ impact on Miami-Dade has been unmatched by not only providing the best access to the world but also ensuring Miami is the true gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. I am proud to represent the airline and stand alongside The Beacon Council’s mission to drive an inclusive, sustainable, and competitive economy for our diverse, growing marketplace. I look forward to championing Greater Miami as a business destination and contributing to efforts that will shape our community’s economic future.”
Liscano oversees the airline’s Airport Operations in Miami, the airline’s largest international gateway with more than 14,000 team members and a growing operation that will include this year over 390-peak day departures to 150 destinations in more than 40 countries and territories. He joined the airline in 1994 as an Operations Agent and has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including overseeing the airline’s Los Angeles hub and its Latin America and Caribbean operation. Originally from Cali, Colombia, Liscano grew up in Queens, New York. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Florida International University and bachelor’s degrees from Indiana University.
“My sincere congratulations to Juan Carlos Liscano on his election as Chair, and to all of our incoming 2023-2024 Officers, Board Members, and Opportunity Miami Co-Chairs,” said Rodrick T. Miller, President & CEO, Miami-Dade Beacon Council. “Juan Carlos is an impactful and passionate leader, and I am thrilled to work with him during this exciting era of growth and opportunity for Greater Miami. The Beacon Council team’s tireless efforts, together with our board’s commitment, helped deliver another record-breaking year. I would like to thank our outgoing Chair, Yolanda Cash Jackson, for her impact and leadership during a time of transition for our organization, and our Board for their dedication to our mission. Our achievements would not be possible without our private and public sector partners that help us drive impact and investment in our local economy, setting Miami-Dade apart.”
Beacon’s Board of Directors includes a range of private and public community leaders that support local economic development efforts and share a common goal: the long-term health and prosperity of Miami-Dade residents and businesses. Officers for the 2023-2024 fiscal year include:
Juan Carlos Liscano, American Airlines, Vice President for Miami
2023-2024 Chair
Christine Barney, CEO, rbb Communications
2023-2024 Chair-Elect
Newton B. Sanon, President & CEO, OIC of South Florida
2023-2024 Secretary
Basil Khalil, VP Operations Caribbean, Central America, and Global Service Providers FedEx Express Latin America & Caribbean Division, Federal Express
2023-2024 Treasurer
Rodrick T. Miller, The Miami-Dade Beacon Council
President and CEO
“This is an exciting time for Miami-Dade’s already world class marketplace and business ecosystem,” said Christine Barney, Chair-Elect of The Beacon Council and CEO of rbb Communications. “We should all be committed to The Beacon Council’s mission to drive a sustainable, inclusive and competitive economy for our community. I look forward to working with this exceptional board and staff to continue building up the future of Miami for all.”
In addition to announcing the newly elected Officers and Board, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council also announced new leadership for their Opportunity Miami initiative, which includes:
- Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
- Rick Beasley, Executive Director, CareerSource South Florida
- Christine Barney, CEO and Managing Partner, rbb Communications
This year marks The Beacon Council’s 38th year as Miami-Dade County’s official economic development partnership. On Thursday, November 9h, The Beacon Council will host its Annual Meeting. This event promises to bring together private and public sector leaders and some of the top companies in this community to celebrate the success and impact of fiscal year 2022-2023’s economic development efforts. The event serves to mark the official change in leadership, with outgoing 2022-2023 Chair Yolanda Cash Jackson passing the gavel to incoming Chair Juan Carlos Liscano.
To view full list of 2023-2024 Officers and Board Members, click here.
MEDIA CONTACT
Josh Merkin
rbb Communications
josh.merkin@rbbcommunications.com
954-789-5530
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About the Miami‐Dade Beacon Council
The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is the county’s official economic development partnership. Attracting and retaining companies that create high-value jobs and invest in our community, The Beacon Council is committed to driving long-term economic prosperity and inclusive growth for Miami-Dade County, its businesses, and residents. We achieve this by marketing Miami-Dade as a world-class business destination; growing local companies and fostering entrepreneurs; and shaping Miami-Dade’s economic future. Established in 1985, The Beacon Council has attracted more than 120,000 new jobs and $7.6 Billion of new investment to Miami-Dade County. For more information, visit BeaconCouncil.com.
