Carlos Suarez is California State Conservationist and has worked for USDA-NRCS for 28 years. He has also been State Conservationist in Florida, Deputy State Conservationist in Nebraska and California, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations in Wisconsin, Watershed Advisor for the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Agency for International Development in Nicaragua, Farm Bill Program Manager in Indiana, and Soil Conservationist and District Conservationist in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Mr. Suarez also temporarily held two USDA-level positions: Acting Director for the Pacific Islands Area and the Acting Director for the Stewardship and Community Development Division at USDA Headquarters.
From October 2017 – August 2018, Mr. Suarez served as the lead post-hurricane assistance coordinator to Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands representing USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. Mr. Suarez was the head liaison between USDA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as with multiple agencies and cabinet members of PR and USVI. USDA provided multi-faceted assistance to the island on issues as diverse as erosion control, watershed restoration, rural development, disaster assistance to farmers, nutrition and more.
Mr. Suarez has been a member of numerous national-level teams and has served on multiple occasions as an international environmental consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development and The Millennium Challenge Corporation. He has represented USDA on various international mission trips to The Netherlands, Israel, Australia and Mexico providing his expertise on water conservation and water quality. In 2009, Mr. Suarez served as Acting Deputy Country Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development at the U. S. Embassy in Mexico.
A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mr. Suarez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Mechanization (Engineering) Technology from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, a Master of Science degree in Geoenvironmental Studies from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Leadership from American University in Washington, D.C. Mr. Suarez received his SES certification in 2010 through the OPM Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program. Mr. Suarez is blessed to be the father of three children.