Kristy Oates serves as the State Resource Conservationist for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in Texas. She leads the ecological sciences department who assists customers in addressing natural resource concerns through sound conservation planning, technical leadership in quality assurance, policy development and implementation, and training oversight. She also serves as liaison with other state and federal agencies and develops information for a variety of clientele. A passion for agriculture and working with people was the driving force for Kristy joining the USDA-NRCS in 1995 as a Soil Conservation Technician. Through 25 years of service, she has been promoted through multiple technical, supervisory, and leadership positions in Texas, as well as completing detail assignments in Florida, Minnesota, and Washington, DC.
Kristy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University and she is a graduate of the US Department of Agriculture Emerging Leaders Development Program from The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership. Outside of work, Kristy enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to new destinations.