Forest Supervisor
Biographical Sketch

Born and raised in the city of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Pablo Cruz Morales is a graduate from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus Civil Engineering Program. Since his graduation Pablo has dedicated his entire career to public service.

He began his professional work at the age of 23 as Project Engineer in the USDA Soil Conservation Service. Six months later, he joined the USDA Forest Service as a Civil Engineer. Following the Forest Service tradition, Pablo and his lovely wife Arlene have gone through many transitions: from Puerto Rico to Oregon, from Oregon to California, from California to Puerto Rico, from Puerto Rico to Washington DC, and from Washington DC back to Puerto Rico.

His superior performance, expertise and knowledge about the agency and forest management led to his assignment to Puerto Rico in September, 1989. He came as part of the Incident Command Team that led the Forest restoration efforts after Hurricane Hugo.

A few months later, in 1990, he became the first Puerto Rican District Ranger of El Yunque Ranger District under the El Yunque National Forest. Just two years later, in 1992, he was appointed Forest Supervisor of the El Yunque National Forest. He established direct communication between the Forest and communities surrounding the Forest. His leadership has greatly improved the Forest's relationships with state and federal agencies and increased the Forest's exposure to our local and international customers.

Pablo Cruz was born on August 24, 1955. He has enjoyed 24 years of happy marriage with Arlene Pou. Two sons, Pablo Jr. and Andres, complete the family that in his opinion is his life's greatest achievement.