Mr. Mauricio Cruz embarked on his USAID journey in 1999, a pivotal moment following the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. Armed with a degree in Civil Engineering from the Honduras Autonomous National University (UNAH) and a master’s degree in engineering from the Louvain Catholic University in Belgium, he possesses a solid academic foundation.
In 2007, Mr. Cruz earned recognition as the Foreign Service National (FSN) of the year for USAID/LAC, lauded for his substantial contributions to the successful implementation of the Hurricane Mitch Reconstruction Program. His impactful involvement extended to the rehabilitation, expansion, and construction of vital urban and rural water and sanitation projects. Additionally, Mr. Cruz played a pivotal role in the development of rural roads and bridges, strategically connecting to essential food production centers across the country.
Currently, Mr. Cruz serves as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for the Honduras Local Governance Activity. Simultaneously, he holds the position of Government Agreement Technical Representative (GATR) for the Infrastructure for Citizen Security (ICS) and the Pilot Infrastructure in Western Honduras Activities. Both roles involve the oversight of Government to Government (G2G) mechanisms implemented by the Government of Honduras through the Honduras Social Investment Fund (FHIS). Mr. Cruz's multifaceted responsibilities showcase his continued dedication to fostering sustainable development and enhancing local governance in Honduras.