As Associate Director of the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Carlos R. Escobar, a member of the 2006 Leadership VA Class, serves as the facility’s chief operating officer charged with day-to-day operations and management of the facility’s $514 million annual budget.

Prior to joining the MEDVAMC, Mr. Escobar served as the Capital Assets Manager of the VA Heartland Network in Kansas City, Missouri. He was also a member of several national policy committees including strategic planning, fiscal management, Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services, and Women Veterans.

From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Escobar was Plant, Property and Equipment Manager and then Capital Assets and Infrastructure Operations Director for the VA Heartland Network. From 1992 to 1996, he held several positions in the VA Office of the Regional Director, Central Region in Ann Arbor, Michigan. These included Health Care Facilities Specialist, Chief Technical Support Section, and Regional Assistant Construction Manager. Mr. Escobar began his VA career as an architect at the Olin E. Teague VA Medical Center in Temple, Texas.

As a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Regents Advisory Council, he was recently appointed to the 2006 ACHE Federal Executive Healthcare Excellence Award Judging Committee. Mr. Escobar received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design - Architecture in 1985 from the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan and a Master of Science in Health Professions in 1990 from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He is also a member of the American Society of Health Care Engineers.

Mr. Escobar is active in various professional and civic organizations within the health care and local communities, and is the recipient of several prestigious national awards including the 2004 U.S. General Services Administration’s Real Property Award, “Federal Government Top 10 Best Practices.” He resides in the Houston area with his wife and two children.