Profile

Garcia was born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and moved to San Antonio at a young age. After high school Garcia attended the University of Texas at San Antonio and majored in chemistry in 1983. He joined the Air Force (Officer Training School) and in the process became second lieutenant and acquired a second degree (BA in science) from Ohio University and served his remaining duty at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Ill. as a communications officer in charge of microwave, satellite and computer networking. After his duty, Garcia worked for an Illinois defense contractor for the next year and a half. In 1991, Garcia started his own company, Integrated Information Tech Information (IITC) in O’Fallon, Ill. The company specialized in satellite communications, computer networking and installation of communication systems. He moved the corporate office to Denver and by 2004 had 10 offices and over 400 employees. He sold IITC in 2004 to PEC Solutions, Inc. At the end of that fiscal year Garcia had led IITC to a record $37 million in revenues. Later Garcia formed Garcia International. Involved in the community, Garcia has served on the boards of the Daniels Fund, the Denver Public Schools Foundation, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, AAA of Colorado, La Escuela de Guadalupe and more. Garcia is single and enjoys cars, motorcycles, the outdoors and traveling. He has two daughters, Adriana, 21, and Gabriella, 20. Garcia has received numerous awards and was selected as National Minority Small Business Person of the Year by the national Small Business Administration in 1996, Ernst & Young Rocky Mountain Entrepreneur of the Year in 2004, Company of the Year by the Denver Business Journal in 2002, Minority Business of the Year by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce in 2001 and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002 by Hispanic Magazine.

About Garcia International

Owned by Garcia, Garcia International, LLLP is a business consulting firm, G Property handles property management, and G Capital Management is a private equity firm focusing on early and mid stage companies.

High school experience

One of a handful of Latinos, Garcia attended an affluent high school in San Antonio that provided the best in education. Focused on academics and work, Garcia did not lead the typical high school life. He oftentimes worked 32 plus hours in the fast food industry during the weekends and focused on school during the school week.

Message to youth

“Focus on school and work hard at school. Remember that education solves and deals with all issues. Never give up and never accept ‘no.’ High school is important; it is critical and lays out your future. Nothing ever comes easy. You must sacrifice and pay a price.”

Last word

“I am extremely grateful to my parents. They instilled hard work, good values and the importance of an education. I believe in God and He has been with me in good times and in bad times.”