José is a Community Programs Officer at USDA Rural Development. With over five years of rural development and disaster recovery experience, he has secured $118 million in federal investments for projects that enhance access to water, solid waste, renewable energy, broadband, telemedicine, distance learning, and community development in Puerto Rico. While at USDA, José also serves as Liaison to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He leverages his skills in policy analysis and government relations to advance USDA’s strategic goals and partnerships. José is also a U.S. Army veteran and a licensed attorney with an MA in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma and a JD from the University of Dayton. He is passionate about advancing rural economic development, fostering international cooperation, and mentoring transitioning military service members and veterans. José is a Young Leader of the Pacific Forum and the Council for the United States and Italy, two foreign policy think tanks that promote dialogue and collaboration among leaders in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe.