Previously, he served as Dean of Instruction and Student Services at Wytheville Community College for six years. He has 28 years of experience in the Virginia Community College System, beginning as a founding faculty member at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College where he taught chemistry. In 1979, Dr. Suarez moved to Wytheville Community College and served as Division Chair of Allied Health and Science Programs before his appointment as Dean. He also served as Acting President during the fall term of 1999.

Dr. Suarez holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Kansas and a bachelor's degree from Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd College) in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Since moving to Big Stone Gap, Virginia and Mountain Empire Community College, he has become active in economic development efforts and civic groups in the region. In addition to serving on the Board of the Virginia Economic Bridge, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Wise County Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Workforce Network, the Cove Ridge Center Foundation, Pro-Art, Lonesome Pine Arts & Crafts, the Southwest Virginia MTC, and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science.

He is also active in the Kiwanis Club, the Lee County Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Coalfield Coalition, and many other local and regional organizations. Dr. Suarez was recently presented the Distinguished Service Award from the Wytheville Kiwanis Club.