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BACKGROUND The son of a Texas field laborer and itinerant preacher, Ruben Ricardo Garcia, became aware of his family's economic dilemma at the age of 5 when his family left Texas and traveled to California in search of a better work environment. Ruben has resided in California, (except for U.S. Army Military Service), since 1952. Growing up in Downtown/South Central Los Angeles, Ruben was surrounded by friends who slowly began to drop out of high school, some because of family or social problems, while others began to look for full time employment. While he also contemplated leaving school, Ruben was encouraged by his family and a counselor at the Salvation Army's Red Shield Youth Center to continue with his education. He stayed in high school and graduated, as Student Body President, from Belmont High School in 1965. Unable to afford the expenses of a college education Ruben sought and found a work scholarship provided by the Mexican-American Youth Opportunities Foundation (MYOF) and that same year Ruben entered California State University at Los Angeles. After completing his first year at Cal- State L.A., Ruben observed the protests surrounding the Vietnam War and chose to serve his country by volunteering for the draft. He began active military duty in 1966. MILITARY A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy-West Point Preparatory School, Ruben is a combat trained Vietnam era veteran and served with the 1/84th, 9th Infantry Division, the 24th Infantry Division, and the U.S. Army Nuclear & Special Weapons Team. While achieving the enlisted rank of Sergeant, Ruben demonstrated his leadership capabilities as a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps by reaching the rank and position of Lt. Col.- Battalion Commander. WORK EXPERIENCE In 1999, Ruben incorporated the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and was the founding President/CEO and Executive Director. Under his leadership, Ruben was responsible for the growth and development of NAHREP from 3 members to over 13,000 members in three short years. In addition, he formed what has been called the "most impressive Real Estate Board of Directors ever assembled" with such Advisory Board members as Henry G. Cisneros, David Lizarraga (TELACU), and Gaddi Vasquez (Director-Peace Corps). Secretary of HUD, Mel Martinez, on April 2, 2003 said, "I also want to thank…[NAHREP] president Ruben Garcia for all that you have done for our country's housing industry. We at HUD appreciate the leadership you have brought to NAHREP and to the real estate community at large." Prior to his post with NAHREP, Ruben had risen through the ranks of management in corporate America and served with such National Companies as, ARCO, Texaco, Clark Equipment, Yale, and Caterpillar Corporations. He has 30 years of proven ability to establish, organize, motivate, and provide leadership to corporate and branch offices. EDUCATION In addition to studies at West Point, Garcia has a marketing degree from Pacific Western University; an MBA certificate from Tulane University; and an MBA and Ph.D. from Madison University. He’s also studied at the UCLA Extension School of Business Management. Dr. Garcia and his wife Alma reside in Chula Vista. Ruben R. Garcia, Ph.D.
Founder/Chairman/CEO National Hispanic Education Foundation |
