John Garcia
John M. Garcia is the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) New Mexico District Office. Garcia is responsible for the statewide delivery of SBA programs and services to the 33 counties in the state. He supports business owners in starting and growing their businesses, creating jobs and developing local economies throughout New Mexico.
Garcia is both an experienced small business owner and public servant and has earned high acclaim for his achievements as a veteran advocate and small business champion at the city, state, and national levels. As president and owner of Garcia and Associates, a service-disabled veteran owned consulting company, he advised both public and private sector senior leaders in strategic planning, tactical marketing, and business development with a special emphasis on veteran wellness and entrepreneurial development.
As the White House appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Garcia oversaw the agency’s Intergovernmental, Tribal Government, International and Consumer Affairs programs. In this role, he worked with mayors, governors, tribal leaders, and international governments to the benefit of our country’s veterans, including the VA National Veteran Business Outreach efforts. He has served as a strong advocate for veteran small business owners through appointments to the National SBA Veteran Business Advisory Board, the U.S. Association of Veterans in Business, and the White House Task Force on Veteran Business Development. Garcia has also served as one of the earliest President of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to being a national champion for small business and veterans, Garcia has been integral to veteran’s advocacy and economic development in his home state of New Mexico. Garcia a decorated veteran he served honorably in the U.S. Army in the Central Highlands of Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division and upon returning home, he began what is now a rich legacy of service to small businesses, veterans and their families.
His advocacy on behalf of veterans and their families includes an appointment to the NM Veteran Service Commission by then Governor King and was appointed as the first Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services under then Governor Bill Richardson. He established the Veterans Business Outreach Center under his tenure which is now institutionalized by the SBA with over 32 centers across the country. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary for Economic Development under Governor Bruce King’s administration, where he oversaw international trade and economic development throughout the state.
Garcia has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to veterans, small businesses, and economic development through numerous organizations. Most recent awards include the Profile of Courage Award from the Vietnam Veterans of New Mexico, the New Mexico Veteran Small Business Advocate of the Year from the SBA and the Iron Mike Award from the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs for his leadership as President. He has been presented with the Veteran Advocate of the Year Award by the Vietnam Veterans of America, New Mexico Chapter. He was also recognized by the Veteran Administration with the National Pillar of Veteran Business Movement Award.
Garcia is a founding member of the Vietnam Veterans of New Mexico and the New Mexico Vietnam Veterans of America. He also served in Washington DC as the National Deputy Director of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program and was actively involved with the dedication of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. He most recently served as a Board of Regent for New Mexico Military Institute.
Throughout his career, Garcia has demonstrated cultural sensitivity, planning and project management skills and a strong tactical understanding of the needs and concerns of small business owners, veterans, their families, and members of the military. Garcia brings his solid background and a wealth of experience in service to the small business owners and veterans throughout our nation.
Garcia attended the University of Albuquerque, Chamber Institute at Stanford University and the Kenan-Flagler Business School at University of North Carolina.
He is married to the former Yolanda Luciani of Albuquerque and they have three children and six grandchildren.