William E. García is the former cabinet secretary of economic development for the state of New Mexico and has had a distinguished career in business, taking an active leadership role with numerous New Mexico businesses and civic organizations. From 1967 to 1990, he was the director of public affairs for US West Telecom in Albuquerque. He was the New Mexico public affairs manager for Intel in Rio Rancho from 1995 until his retirement in 2002. García served on the board of directors of the Bank of Albuquerque from 2000-2011 and was a member and chairman of the Albuquerque Economic Forum from 1996-2002. He led New Mexico First, a public policy organization, as a board member and chairman from 2000-2009. In 2016, he and his wife, Aileen, also a Highlands graduate and a distinguished alumna, both received the Governor’s New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award. He currently serves on the United Way of Santa Fe County board of directors and executive committee.
“Like so many, I was the first in my family to graduate from college and Highlands was the perfect match for me,” said García, a Gallup, New Mexico native. “Highlands nurtured my development and encouraged my interests. As a regent, I want to help ensure that students like myself, especially first-generation college students, are supported by the same culture I was.”
García was named a Highlands University distinguished alumnus in 1986 and has a long history of serving the university. He has served on the Highlands Foundation board of directors since 1986, including leading as board president, and was a founding member of the Highlands Alumni Association in the early 1980s.
William E. Garcia
4720 Lluvia Encantada
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone: 505 982-1355
wegarcia@aol.com