Charles Patrick Garcia

Charles P. Garcia is the bestselling author of A Message from Garcia. His personal story is as dynamic and inspiring as his books. Whether he’s serving as a key advisor to some of the world’s most important business, military, and political leaders, founding his own highly successful company, surfing a towering wave off the Hawaiian coast, or racing his Dodge Viper, he does it with a blend of gusto, style, and approachability.

Garcia’s newest book, Leadership Lessons of the White House Fellows, takes us behind the scenes of the White House Fellows program, revealing its priceless lessons— and featuring leadership wisdom from more than 200 former Fellows, ranging from Colin Powell to Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Garcia has made a mark in business, government, the military, and education—and as a role model to the Hispanic community. In 1997, at the age of 36, he founded a global business that was ranked eighth on the Inc 500 list of fastest-growing privately held companies in the country. Hispanic Business identified him as one of the 100 Most influential Hispanics in the US, and Univision Television selected him for their series Orgullo Hispano, which spotlights Hispanics who have made an exceptional impact on the culture and life of American society.

In 1988 at age 27, Garcia was selected as one of 14 White House Fellows. He later received two more presidential appointments--serving on a national education commission, and as chairman of the US Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, which oversees all operations at the military academy. Additionally, the governor of Florida appointed him to serve as the only Hispanic member of the state’s Board of Education.

Garcia has worked in three presidential administrations and has advised a Cabinet secretary, a governor, and a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander on diverse issues ranging from education, drug interdiction, Latin American politics, counter insurgency training, and more. A highly decorated military officer, Garcia was tapped to be the behind-the-desk military analyst for Telemundo during the Iraq War and has appeared as a commentator on Crossfire, Fox News, CNN, CBS, Univision, CNN en Español, and The Cristina Show.

After selling his company, vFinance, Garcia felt the desire to assist Hispanic entrepreneurs in the US and Latin America. He lends his investing power to Latino owned businesses with solid reputations; a serious commitment to helping the Latino community; and companies that are not yet targeting this market niche. In less than six weeks, Garcia had fifteen companies in his pipeline, with an average deal size in excess of $50 million.

Garcia currently serves on two Fortune 500 company boards—the board of directors of the WinnDixie Stores, Inc. and an advisory board of Aetna—and has become a highly sought-after keynote speaker, presenting talks on leadership at Fortune 500 companies, professional associations, government agencies, and others worldwide. Using anecdotes to illustrate character-building lessons learned throughout his lifetime—from growing up in Latin America to his years in Washington, working with the world’s most respected leaders, to launching his own successful firm from an empty broom closet—Garcia shares inspiring stories of leadership, public service, entrepreneurship and family life that motivate and energize audiences. His deep sense of peace, commitment to public service, and infectious zest for life have inspired thousands of people—his trademark takeaways can change your life or transform your organization.