Carlos Suarez

State Conservationist · USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service · company speakers →

Carlos Suarez began his career with NRCS in the summer of 1990 as a student trainee in Puerto Rico and has served in many different capacities throughout his time with NRCS. 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. Mr. Suarez also served as the USDA Lead Post-hurricane Maria and Irma recovery efforts to Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. He 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, South Africa and Mexico providing his expertise on climate-smart conservation. Mr. Suarez has held two diplomatic assignments as Watershed Advisor for the U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua from 2000-2002 and in 2009, where he served as Acting Deputy Country Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development at the U. S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico. In 2022, Mr. Suarez earned the Presidential Rank Award – the highest recognition bestowed upon a federal employee. He was the only NRCS leader to earn this prestigious award in 2022, and one of very few to be recognized from the Department of Agriculture. Amongst his many leadership qualities for earning this award, his dedication and commitment to equity and inclusion of all customers and employees was highlighted. 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 is blessed to be the father of three children: Andrea, Alex, and Christopher (CJ).

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