Carlos Saavedra Gutiérrez
Carlos Saavedra Gutiérrez | |
|---|---|
| 21st Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico | |
| In office January 2, 2017 – May 19, 2019 | |
| Governor | Ricardo Rosselló |
| Preceded by | Vance Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Briseida Torres Reyes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Carlos José Saavedra Gutiérrez July 1, 1986 Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
| Nationality | American, Puerto Rican |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations | New Progressive Party |
| Education | University of Puerto Rico (BA, Political Science) University of Puerto Rico School of Law (JD) |
Carlos José Saavedra-Gutiérrez (born July 1, 1986) is a Puerto Rican lawyer and current counsel at Jackson Lewis. Saavedra served in several high profile positions within the Government of Puerto Rico, including Secretary of Labor and Human Resources. Saavedra also served as Chief Legal Officer of the Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority of Puerto Rico, where he supervised and coordinated Puerto Rico's legal strategy as part of the largest bankruptcy-like municipal restructuring in the history of the United States.
Saavedra previously served as Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico, from 2017 to 2019. Appointed by Governor Ricardo Rosselló, Saavedra was the youngest individual to lead the Puerto Rico Department of Labor. As Secretary, Saavedra oversaw the implementation of a labor reform that amended and modernized much of the labor and employment legislation in Puerto Rico. During his tenure, Puerto Rico achieved the lowest unemployment rate in the historical series as tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Conversely, during his time as Secretary he was criticized by labor unions and groups opposed to the implementation of the labor reform.