Roberto Salazar grew up in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and graduated from New Mexico Highlands University in 1998 with a B.A. degree in Business Administration, concentrated in management and finance. From 1995 to 1998, Salazar was the Director of the New Mexico Human Services Department Child Support Enforcement and Income Support Division. In that position he administered the Food Stamp, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Programs. With the department in turmoil, Salazar resigned in 1998 and became the Executive Director of the Hispanic Radio network. Also in New Mexico, Salazar served as policy advisor to Governor Gary Johnson, and from 1998 -2001 as Director of Science and Technology for the state. He was the Director of USDA’s Rural Development State Office in New Mexico, prior to his 2002 appointment to Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service.