By: Samuel J. Martínez-Méndez, Esq., Deputy Project Manager, Eligibility Compliance & Policy, Critical Infrastructure

Puerto Rico is more than just my home—it’s the heart of my story.

In September 2017, Hurricane María made landfall, and we were not ready. The island was still reeling from Hurricane Irma, and María’s impact was catastrophic, causing billions of dollars in damage and displacing nearly 160,000 residents. The federal government declared Puerto Rico a disaster zone, and all available resources were repurposed for emergency response. Gas stations were only allowed to give people about $20 worth of fuel, and there was a shortage of generators on-island.

There was no power, no water, no hope. Rationing and praying became the new way of life.

In the aftermath, I found myself called back to action. Just a week after the storm, my former employer reached out to urgently request my return at the small oil company. I stepped into the chaos and was assigned to a critical pumping station in Toa Baja. My days blurred into 14-hour shifts refueling and dispatching 10,000-gallon fuel trucks to ensure hospitals, first responders, and essential services could function. Sleep was a luxury—two hours here and there—but the mission was clear: deliver fuel, restore lifelines, and help Puerto Rico begin to rebuild.

Those early days after María were a crucible. Devastation was everywhere, but so was determination. I witnessed firsthand the fragility of our infrastructure and the strength of our people. As I stood atop an oil tanker in those dark days, I felt overwhelmed by the vulnerability and political state of my home and realized that this small, picturesque island was my responsibility to protect.

That moment shaped my resolve. I committed myself to understanding the systems—legal, logistical, and political—that govern disaster recovery and resilience. I pursued my law degree, focusing on the intersection of energy policy, infrastructure, and federal regulation from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. My professional journey then took me from logistics operations to legal and policy roles at the U.S. Department of Energy, always with Puerto Rico’s recovery in mind.

Even as we have made progress over the years, the road to recovery stretches endlessly ahead. Years later, the scars of María remain visible. The power grid, battered and outdated before the storm, continues to struggle. Instability and bureaucratic hurdles have slowed reconstruction, with ongoing challenges making headlines and hampering trust.

Eight years later, I remain wholly committed to my island and our recovery.

Today, as Deputy Project Manager within IEM’s Critical Infrastructure team focused on federal funds management, I lead policy, eligibility, and compliance support functions under FEMA-DR-4339-PR. My work is more than managing federal funds; it’s about ensuring that every dollar and every decision accelerate Puerto Rico’s recovery. I draw daily on my firsthand experience during María, using those lessons to guide my team, support our clients and partners, and advocate for effective, transparent, and resilient solutions.

My journey has come full circle—from the front lines of emergency response to a leadership role helping to shape Puerto Rico’s long-term recovery. Although the challenges are immense, so is the opportunity to make a lasting difference. Every day, I am reminded our work is not just about rebuilding infrastructure, it is about restoring hope and securing a stronger, more resilient future for the island I will always call home.

 

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