Brazil-Florida Business Award Honorees

Frank DiBello, Past President and CEO of Space Florida, announced his retirement in March 2023 after leading the organization for 14 years. Under his leadership, Space Florida has played a significant role in the growth of the state’s commercial space industry following the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011.

DiBello has served as Space Florida’s top official since 2009 and helped advance Florida’s position as a global leader in the aerospace industry. Before joining Space Florida, DiBello held executive positions in several major aerospace groups, including the Florida Aerospace Finance Corporation. He also served on Former President Ronald Reagan’s Private Sector Survey on Cost Control and was responsible for the management of teams reviewing the Departments of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and NASA.

Under DiBello’s leadership, Space Florida achieved a wide-ranging series of milestones and accomplishments including the development of Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Spaceport. DiBello has also been instrumental in attracting new aerospace companies to Florida, such as Blue Origin and OneWeb, and has supported the growth of existing companies like Boeing and SpaceX.