Pedro Allende has been appointed as the Department of Management Services’ secretary, according to Governor Ron DeSantis, who made the announcement today (DMS). Since September 2021, attorney Allende has served on Florida’s Cybersecurity Advisory Council. Allende oversaw policy efforts to increase federal, state, and local preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities while serving as the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience Policy. He led policy development to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure from physical, natural, and cyber threats.
“I am pleased to appoint Pedro Allende as Secretary of the Department of Management Services,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “His knowledge and experience protecting critical infrastructure against cybersecurity threats will bolster our efforts to protect Floridians’ data and keep our communities safe.”
Prior to joining DHS, he served as the director of strategic initiatives and senior advisor at the US Department of Energy and served as the secretary’s counselor and White House liaison at the US Department of Labor. Allende graduated from the University of Florida with a law degree, a master’s degree in decision and information science, and a bachelor’s degree in economics.