Carlos Suarez became NRCS California’s 11^th State Conservationist in January 2013. Carlos began his career with NRCS in October 1992 as a student trainee in Puerto Rico. Mr. Suarez has extensive experience serving in a number of technical and leadership positions, domestically and internationally, including serving in the following capacities: 

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, 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 in Washington, D.C. 

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. 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 and his wife have three children.