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U. Desmond Alufohai

U. Desmond Alufohai serves as Division Director II of the Protocol & International Affairs Division at the Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD), where he leads the largest airport-based protocol office in the United States.

With over 35 years of international leadership experience, Mr. Alufohai is widely recognized for his expertise in diplomacy, global engagement, protocol, and international trade. Prior to joining MDAD, he served as the Senior International Trade Coordinator for MiamiDade County’s Economic Development and International Trade Agency (2003–2019). He also held senior leadership roles with Junior Chamber International (JCI), including Executive Director and Senior Director for Growth and Development in Africa and the Middle East (1991–2002), where he liaised with global institutions such as the UN, UNICEF, WHO, and the African Union. Mr. Alufohai has traveled to over 90 countries, conducting trade missions, professional development workshops, and diplomatic outreach. He holds a BSc from the University of Benin, Nigeria, and an MBA from Anna Maria University, Massachusetts.

He is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), and a graduate of the Protocol School of Washington®. His commitment to civil society is reflected in an extensive record of leadership across numerous boards and organizations. He serves as Chairman of the Visitors Industry Council (VIC) and is the Founding Chairman of the Florida International Affairs Foundation (FIAF). He is also a member of the Florida Export Finance Corporation Board. Within the African and diaspora community, he is the President of Ora-Ekpen Association USA, Inc., a member of the Edo Association of Florida, Inc., a board member of Africans in Action, Inc., and Chair of the Global Africa Symposium Committee. His past leadership includes service on the Board of the World Trade Center Miami and participation as a founding member of the Mayors’ African Trade Task Force. Mr. Alufohai has received numerous honors, including the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (2025), the “Person of the Year” award from the Consular Corps of Miami (2023), and the Miami Magnet Award (2018). He is listed in Who’s Who in America (2024–2025) and was inducted into the International Academy of Ceremonial and Protocol (AICP). Known affectionately as “Mr. International,” he is an Adjunct Professor, International Training Fellow, and a sought-after speaker and consultant in protocol, etiquette, international trade, and international affairs. His work continues to shape global engagement strategies and foster crosscultural understanding in South Florida and beyond.