Governor John Hickenlooper Preceded by Ron Applbaum Preceded by Barbara O'Brien Succeeded by Leslie Di Mare | Governor John Hickenlooper Name Joseph Garcia Preceded by Rico Munn | |
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Joseph A. Garcia (born March 21, 1957), is the 48th and current Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, having taken office in January 2011.
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Early life, education and career
Joseph A. Garcia was born on March 21, 1957, in Lafayette, Indiana. He attended Austin E. Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, Alaska from 1973 to 1974 and graduated from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia in 1975. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1979 where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business. Joe then graduated from Harvard Law School in 1983.
After law school, Garcia took a job with the firm of Holme Roberts & Owen, going on to become their first Hispanic partner. Garcia worked with the firm from 1983 to 1993. Garcia was appointed by Governor Romer as the Executive Director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies in 1993. In 1999 Garcia was appointed by the White House as the Regional Director of the Rocky Mountain States for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
President at Pikes Peak Community College and CSU Pueblo
Garcia was appointed by Gov. Ritter to serve as one of three Commissioners from Colorado on the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education and he was reappointed by Gov. Hickenlooper. He served as Chair of the Commission in 2012. He also served as a member of the board of trustees for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and was previously on the Governmental Affairs Committee for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
From 2001-2006, he served as President of Pikes Peak Community College. As President, Garcia was responsible for leading and managing the second largest community college in the state and its 750 employees in servicing the community’s diverse education, business, and industry needs. He developed and maintained relationships with Colorado Legislature, other elected officials, and industry leaders in order to affect legislation, policy changes and funding that impacted the college and the Community Colleges of Colorado system. He also represented the college through active participation in business and civic organizations, and devised sustainable education programs and partnerships relevant to students and community needs. While at PPCC, Garcia was twice named Community College President of the Year by the Community College student government association.
From 2006-2010, he served as President of Colorado State University-Pueblo. During his tenure at the university, enrollment at the University grew faster than at any time in its history, and more than $125 million in new capital construction was begun and completed. A new football and track stadium, multiple residence halls, and a recreational facility were built and existing classroom and academic support facilities underwent major renovations and expansion. CSU-Pueblo was also recognized as The Outstanding Member Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities during Garcia's tenure.
Garcia took a leave of absence from Colorado State University-Pueblo to campaign with Hickenlooper and resinged from his position following his election as Lt. Governor in November of 2010.
Lieutenant Governor of Colorado
Denver Mayor and Democratic nominee for Governor John Hickenlooper selected Garcia as his running mate for the 2010 election. They won the election in a landslide against former Congressman Tom Tancredo and Republican Dan Maes.
Garcia was sworn in as the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Colorado on January 11, 2011, succeeding fellow Democrat Barbara O'Brien. After being elected Lieutenant Governor, the State Legislature confirmed Joseph A. Garcia as Executive Director of Higher Education, due to his extensive experience in higher education. It is the first time a Colorado Lieutenant Governor has held a dual role by heading a state agency. The Lieutenant Governor also advises the Governor on education policy and legislation, chairs the Education Leadership Council, the Colorado Space Coalition and the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.
On November 10th, 2015 Garcia announced he would resign as Lieutenant Governor of Colorado and Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education to join the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. Garcia had previously been considered a possible successor to Governor John Hickenlooper. Governor Hickenlooper will nominate a new Lieutenant Governor for confirmation in the Colorado General Assembly.