Carlos Rubinstein

Carlos Rubinstein of Austin was appointed to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality by Gov. Rick Perry on Aug. 31, 2009. His term will expire on Aug. 31, 2015.

Rubinstein had served as the TCEQ’s deputy executive director since June of 2008. His responsibilities included assisting the executive director in all major capacities such as directing operations of all employees in 17 statewide offices, administrative oversight of agency budget, legislative activity, and implementation of agency policies.

Rubinstein serves on the Governmental Advisory Committee that provides advice to the EPA Administrator on environmental concerns regarding NAFTA, the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. He also serves as a Texas representative in the Border Governors Conference water worktable.

Prior to his position as deputy executive director, Rubinstein served as the director for the border and South-Central Texas area, and earlier as regional director for the Harlingen and Laredo offices. During this time, Rubinstein also served as the Rio Grande Watermaster, responsible for allocating, monitoring, and controlling the use of surface water in the Rio Grande basin from Fort Quitman to the mouth of the Rio Grande River. As watermaster, he was instrumental in finding a solution to Mexico’s water debt to the United States. He also is a former city manager of Brownsville.

Rubinstein has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from The University of Texas–Pan American.

He and his wife Judy have three daughters and one granddaughter.