Mr. Scott J. Soares has been recurrently honored as a strong advocate for economically and environmentally sustainable natural resource based businesses and has taken a leadership role in building strong partnerships at the local, state, and federal level aimed at achieving this goal.

                       

Drawing from over 25 years of experience, Mr. Soares launched Boston Bay Consulting in 2017 with the purpose of extending government relations services, business and project development, and management assistance to those working in agriculture, fisheries, and food systems.

 

Mr. Soares served as USDA Rural Development State Director for Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island where he oversaw delivery of over 50 programs aimed at housing, municipal infrastructure development, and business support that invested nearly $500 million annually in rural communities across Southern New England.

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From 2012-15, Mr. Soares worked with the Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC) USA. As Executive Director, Mr. Soares oversaw the day-to-day management of an organization charged with the stable, orderly supply of US cranberries. He served as liaison between the CMC and the United States Department of Agriculture and was also responsible for the authorization and oversight of research, contractors, and promotion of domestic and international programs.  

 

During his tenure at the CMC, Mr. Soares significantly increased domestic marketing initiatives through the implementation of innovative educational and promotional opportunities. He was also a leading spokesperson for international programs including initiation and guidance of programs in Europe, China, Russia, South Korea, Mexico and India. The results have led to considerable increases in global demand for US grown cranberries.  Key accomplishments included a rebranding effort that successfully trademarked “America’s Original Superfruit®” and the conversion of organizational communications, data collection and reporting systems from an antiquated hardcopy system to a state-of-the-art webpage interfaced content management system.

 

Prior to the CMC, Mr. Soares began his career at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources in 1996. Over the course of 17 years, he served in a variety of leading positions including the Commonwealth’s first Aquaculture Program Director and culminating with a gubernatorial appointment as Commissioner of the Department in 2009. 

 

Mr. Soares received a double major in Biology and Marine Biology from UMass Dartmouth, completed course work in aquaculture and fisheries at University of Rhode Island, has been certified in open water diving and completed certificates in aquaculture and food safety. Scott is an Honorary brother of the Alpha Tau Gamma fraternity of the UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture and is proud of his seven years of active and reserve service to the U.S. Army. He currently resides in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.