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Leadership

NRCS is led by a Chief, an Associate Chief, and Deputy Chiefs over different focus areas. They provide leadership, guidance, and support for the agency’s locally-led conservation programs, partnership efforts, and business operations throughout the United States and abroad.

Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt

NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt


Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt serves as Chief of NRCS, the primary private lands conservation agency at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Aubrey is a prominent leader in agriculture, water, and sustainability, having worked in both the private sector and at USDA and the U.S. Department of the Interior during the first Trump Administration. See full biography. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate Chief Colton Buckley

Colton Buckley serves as NRCS Associate Chief, directing and overseeing the agency's financial and technical assistance programs, management and strategy, science and technology, and soil science and resource assessment. 

Deputy Chief for Management and Strategy

Acting Deputy Chief for Management and Strategy Scott Edwards is responsible for outreach and partnerships, international programs, strategic support services, and policy and program analysis. 

Deputy Chief for Programs

Deputy Chief of Programs Astrid Martinez is responsible for the delivery of financial assistance programs, easement programs and conservation technical assistance. 

Deputy Chief for Science and Technology

Deputy Chief of Science and Technology Noller Herbert ensures scientifically sound conservation practices, technology acquisition, development, and transfer. See full biography.

Deputy Chief for Soil Science and Resource Assessment

Deputy Chief for Soil Science and Resource Assessment Dr. Terron Hillsman provides leadership for addressing the scientific basis for conservation and sustainable agriculture, inventories of U.S. natural resources and their ecological transitions, and analyzing the effects of voluntary conservation practices across working lands nationwide. See full biography.

NRCS recently lost a valued leader, colleague, and friend, Dr. Luis “Louie” Tupas. Dr. Tupas served as the Deputy Chief for Soil Science and Resource Assessment from 2020-2023. See his full biography here.