“Serving Those Who Served”

On April 8, 2003, the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services was created when Governor Bill Richardson signed an executive order elevating the New Mexico Veterans’ Service Commission to a cabinet-level department.

On February 12, 2004, John M. Garcia was unanimously confirmed by the New Mexico Legislature as the first-ever Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services (NMDVS).
Secretary Garcia brings a wealth of political and business experience to the NMDVS.  Prior to his appointment as NMDVS cabinet secretary, he was the president of Garcia and Associates, a consulting firm which provided public relations, business development strategies and marketing services to government agencies and  private businesses.

Mr. Garcia was also a commissioner on the Veterans’ Service Commission, and served under former Governor Bruce King as Deputy Chief of Staff and as Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department.

Before his service in state government, Secretary Garcia was the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

Secretary Garcia has also been a member on numerous boards, committees and task forces such as the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque Explora Museum, Governors’ Business Advisory Council, Shared Vision of Albuquerque, International Trade Council of New Mexico, Albuquerque Little Theater and the Inter American Bank of New Mexico.

Secretary Garcia is also a founding member of the New Mexico Hispanic Genealogy Research Center, and is a recipient of the De Colores/New Mexico Hispanic Business Leadership Award, the Mexican-American Foundation's National Hispanic Leadership Award, the American Center's International Leadership Award, and the Washington D.C. Action Agency ACTION Award.

The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognized has recognized Mr. Garcia as an Advocate of the Year for Minority Business. He’s also received the Profile of Courage Award from the Vietnam Veterans of New Mexico.

Secretary Garcia served in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam in 1969-1970 as a member of the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division. He is a founding member of the Vietnam Veterans of New Mexico and served as the National Deputy Director of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program in Washington, DC.