County Executive
Chris Abele
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele on December 23, 2015 announced that Ismael L. Bonilla has been named Airport Director for General Mitchell International Airport.
Bonilla is a seasoned aviation-industry executive, having held senior leadership positions at airports in San Juan, PR, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jacksonville, FL, and Santiago, Chile. He currently serves as the Chief Business Development Officer at Hi-Lite Airfield services in Jacksonville, FL, responsible for strategic management and oversight of a world business development team with operations in the U.S., Latin America, and the Middle East.
Bonilla also is a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force. He will start as Mitchell International’s Airport Director on February 1.
GMIA is poised to serve as a premier regional hub that attracts businesses and other travelers, and with forward-thinking leadership and a commitment to disciplined, datadriven decision making, can emerge as a national leader in operations and the delivery of high quality, efficient, responsive customer service.
“In Ismael, we have found a director with the right combination of airport leadership experience, passion for the aviation industry, and a broad network of industry connections that will build on Mitchell International’s strength as the gateway to Wisconsin and northern Chicago,” Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said.
“I know Ismael shares Milwaukee County’s mission to think big in everything we do, and I’m confident his leadership will be a huge asset in making GMIA even more successful.”
Abele thanked Brian Dranzik, Milwaukee County Director of Transportation, for his leadership in overseeing day-to-day airport operations, saying, “During Brian’s eight months at the helm, the airport continued to move forward by opening its magnificent new bag claim building, welcoming Alaska Airlines and more new air service to Milwaukee, and continuing discussions on significant future airport improvements.”
Bonilla holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science in Aviation Safety from Central Missouri State University.
He is accredited as an International Airport Professional (IAP) through Airports Council International (ACI) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and is a Certified Member (CM) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). In addition, Bonilla holds a private pilot’s license.