Scott Soares
Sunday 9/12/2010
11:00 AM
Scott Soares has worked for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) since 1996 and during that time has served in a variety of capacities. Hired as the Commonwealth’s first Aquaculture Coordinator, his work to develop and implement the Aquaculture Development Program has enabled continued growth, diversification and expansion of aquatic cultivation in Massachusetts. Following his tenure as Acting Commissioner of the Department from January to November of 2007, Mr. Soares was appointed MDAR’s Assistant Commissioner and Chief-of-Staff. In this capacity he worked with the agricultural community at large, state and federal partners, and other government officials to strengthen and enhance the long-term viability of agriculture in our Commonwealth. In April of 2009, Mr. Soares was appointed by Secretary Ian Bowles to spearhead the Department’s initiatives towards a vibrant agricultural future for the Commonwealth. Scott Soares has been recognized throughout the industry as a strong advocate for agricultural interests. In 2009 he received the Government Leadership Award from the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association and in 2010, the Environmental Leadership Award from the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association. After seven years of active and reserve service to the U.S. Army, Scott graduated Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a double major in Biology and Marine Biology and obtained graduate training at the University of Rhode Island.