Alvaro García-Ocampo became an Agronomic Eng. at the University of Caldas (1969), a M.Sc in Soil Science and Plant Physiology at the National University of Colombia-ICA Graduate School and a Ph. D. in soil Science at the University of California Riverside under the direction of Dr. Parker Pratt. Has been a member of the Colombian Soil Science Society for more than 30 years, member of the National Executive Committee since 1986 and elected National President for the 2000-2002 and 2002- 2004 periods. Designated Vice-Chair Person for the Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Commission at 17th WCSS, became also President of the Latin American Soil Science Societies and organizer of the 16th Latin-American Soil Science Congress celebrated in Cartagena de Indias which was attended by more than 700 soil researchers of 23 countries. Currently is acting as Vicepresident of the CSSS. Worked in Soil Research at the Colombian Institute for Agricultural Research (ICA) for 23 years and as a Professor of Soil Chemistry, Soil Fertility, Saline Soils, and Plant Nutrition for more than 27 years is now retired from the National University of Colombia. He was also director of the Graduate School of the National University of Colombia at Palmira were founded the doctoral program in Soil Science. Has been visitant professor in several universities of Colombia, Ecuador and Perú. Has written more than 160 papers, book chapters and two books. Currently is consulting and advising universities and enterprises in Latin America.