My life has been given special purpose. The thing I got hooked on was helping people, and I’ve had the privilege of helping people by the thousands.
– Former Congressman J.J. “Jake” Pickle – Austin, Texas
Esther Garcia is President of The Garcia Group.
Garcia is a veteran of Capitol Hill, and national political campaigns. She holds a current secret security clearance due to her work as former Industry Engagement Manager, UTC Dayton,Inc., a federal defense contractor to AFRL New Mexico.
From 2008 to 2010 Garcia served as the National Outreach Director for Health Care for America Now! (HCAN!), and recruited a diverse group of constituencies, and stakeholders to join the HCAN! coalition. The constituency groups included: labor unions, policy/advocacy, communities of color, faith-based, mainstream health care providers, think tanks, civil rights, women and youth. After health care reform legislation was passed in 2010, Garcia served as Special Assistant to the Office of Public Affairs, HHS Administration for Children and Families (ACF).
In 2013, Garcia was a Field Representative for U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich from New Mexico, and handled health care reform implementation, jobs, small business and economic development, and immigration issues. She served as the District Director for Former Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15) in a majority-minority district and managed office staff/operations, media, and community outreach. In addition, a former staffer to Former Congressman J.J. Pickle (TX-15), both in DC and Austin for six years. She credits her upbringing and the then elderly Congressman for her commitment to advocacy, and her willingness to go that extra mile for people.
Garcia received her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from Texas State University, and her Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) at St. Edward’s University. She participated in the 1999 National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) training, which included the Center for Creative Leadership, and Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Lastly, Garcia is a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan and avid fan of the San Antonio Spurs.