Neftalí Soto Santiago[1] is a farmer, attorney and former Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico.
He served as Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture under two governors, Pedro Rosselló from 1993 to 1997 and Luis Fortuño from 2012 to 2013.
During his most recent stint, he succeeded Javier Rivera Aquino, also a native of Lares, who served for over 3 years since 2009.
[2] His traditional coffee hacienda in Lares became the base for the "Alto Grande" brand when he sold the property in 1990.
[3] Soto unsuccessfully ran for the office of president of the Puerto Rico Bar Association.