Wanda Perez was named state executive director of the Puerto Rico Farm Service Agency (FSA) in September 2018.

Perez was born and raised in the mountainous Municipality of Aibonito. She and her family raised livestock, including poultry, beef cattle and goats, and a variety of crops, including coffee, bananas, oranges, sweet potatoes and beans. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from the University of Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario Mayaguez (RUM).

During Perez’s career with FSA, she served as executive officer managing the administrative division, farm programs and farm loan programs. Throughout her career, she has received many accolades from USDA, including the USDA Secretary’s Honor award and FSA Administrator’s award in 2018 for Heroism and Emergency Response for her actions during recovery efforts and in 2011 for her achievements with Puerto Rico’s farm loan and farm programs and for her leadership and dedication.

Prior to her career with FSA, Perez worked for the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture as an agronomist.

Perez and her husband live in San Juan and have two children. She enjoys cooking and traveling to different places around the island with her family.