Experienced in public, private sectors

SANTA FE – John A. Garcia, a former state Cabinet secretary who also has extensive experience in the private sector, will begin serving Monday (Nov. 1) as secretary of the New Mexico General Services Department.

“The General Services Department is the backbone of state government, and I am confident that under John’s leadership and with his broad range of experience, the department will continue to improve how state government works and how it serves the people of New Mexico,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. 

GSD provides a broad range of support services to other state agencies. The governor’s appointment of Garcia to head the agency is subject to state Senate confirmation.

“I am honored to be named to lead an agency that is so critical to the success of state government,” Garcia said. “I am committed to providing a high level of customer service to state agencies and employees and look forward to working with the GSD team to deliver on that commitment.”

Garcia served as tourism secretary and later as economic development secretary under Gov. Gary Johnson. He also held leadership positions under Johnson with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Border Authority and State Fair.

Most recently, Garcia was executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico. Prior to that, he headed the economic development offices for the city of Albuquerque and the University of New Mexico.

Garcia also has experience in the hospitality industry and has worked as a customer service consultant.

“My experience in the public and private sectors will serve as the foundation for my leadership at GSD,” he said. “I look forward to the challenge of building on the department’s many successes under Governor Lujan Grisham.”

As GSD secretary, Garcia succeeds Ken Ortiz, who retired from state government at the end of June.

Garcia, 63, has a bachelor’s degree from the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico. He lives in Albuquerque.

The New Mexico General Services Department is committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective and on-time services that support the success of our fellow agencies in government. GSD’s divisions provide services in facilities management, purchasing, risk management, health care and other employee benefits, transportation, construction management and printing. GSD is a government leader in addressing climate change through its green buildings project, purchase of electric vehicles, construction of EV charging stations and other initiatives. Learn more about GSD at www.generalservices.state.nm.us.