Pedro Allende, secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as undersecretary for science and technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In his current role, Allende oversees DMS’ primary service areas of business, workforce and technology, plus a $1 billion budget and a workforce of nearly 1,000 employees, according to the agency’s website.
Before joining DMS, Allende was deputy assistant secretary for infrastructure, risk and resilience policy with the Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans at DHS.
While deputy assistant secretary, Allende led policy development to protect U.S. critical infrastructure against cyber, physical and natural threats and increase federal, state and local preparedness, response and recovery capabilities. Before that, he was a senior adviser and director of strategic initiatives for the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response at the U.S. Department of Energy.
Allende also “practiced law at a national law firm where he co-founded the firm’s data privacy and cybersecurity practice and litigated high-stakes cases, including class actions and cross-border disputes,” the agency’s website states.
He holds two bachelor’s degrees in political science and economics, a master’s degree in decision and information science and a juris doctorate from the University of Florida.
DMS Secretary Pedro Allende Tapped for DHS Role
President Donald Trump recently nominated Allende as the next undersecretary for science and technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, creating a vacancy within the Florida Department of Management Services.
