Gov-elect names ex-Telecom Board chief back to post
Sandra Torres
Gov.-elect Ricardo Rosselló on Wednesday re-appointed former Telecommunications Regulatory Board president Sandra Torres back to the post she held from 2009 to 2013.
Torres began her career in the industry as a lawyer at the Puerto Rico Telephone Co., which does business as Claro Puerto Rico. She moved to the Telecom Board in 2009, adding to her track record of public service, after having served as judge and professor at the University of Puerto Rico.
During her first tenure at the TRB, pursued the eradication of copper theft in Puerto Rico, leading the Interagency Committee to combat this problem. During that period, she also established the Broadband Task Force and participated in the inauguration of 25 internet centers and 36 wi-fi public plazas islandwide.
In 2013, Torres was bumped from her post when Gov. Alejandro García-Padilla named current Board President Javier Rúa-Jovet to the post. She did not resign from her post, so she was moved to an associate member position within the agency. She subsequently sued the government, but lost her bid to regain her former job.
During the news conference Wednesday, Rosselló also appointed Luis Ángel Arocho-González as the Commonwealth’s Chief Information Officer. He will be responsible for the government’s information and technology systems.
The nominee has a Computer Science degree from the Inter American University, and has a number of certifications in “Big Data and Analytics,” and others related to the technology sector.
With extensive experience in the field of computer science, programming, and cybersecurity infrastructure in the private sector, Luis Arocho-González previously served in the public sector as technology advisor to former Comptroller of Puerto Rico, Manuel Díaz Saldaña.
“I wish to highlight that in the appointments announced today, we’re integrating the best talent available into our government in fundamental areas to achieve change in Puerto Rico. I appreciate their availability and commitment,” Rosselló said.
