Assistant Director Rodrigo Garcia
Proven Leadership, Proven Success.
Rodrigo Garcia serves as Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. He was appointed by Governor Pat Quinn on October 11th, 2011 and was subsequently confirmed by the Illinois State Senate on November 29th, 2011.
Assistant Director Garcia brings years of service, leadership expertise, and crucial one-on-one experience with veterans and service members to this key executive post. He has served the veteran community in various leadership roles including assisting veterans succeed in their transition, achieve their academic goals, and gain meaningful employment. Today, he continues to maintain a central role in numerous veteran organizations and important advocacy initiatives at the local, state, and national level.
A Chicago native and Marine Corps veteran, Assistant Director Garcia served overseas on three separate occasions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and earned multiple decorations including the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Gold Star in lieu of second award. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in finance from Northeastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois, and was previously employed by Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He is currently working on his second graduate degree with an emphasis on public policy from Northwestern University.
Assistant Director Garcia has received numerous distinguished commendations for his service and unwavering dedication to various communities nationwide. As a result, he has been named as one of Miller Coors’ nationwide “Hispanic Lideres” and one of the “Top 100 under 50” Executive Leaders by Diversity MBA Magazine, was the recipient of President Obama’s Council on Service and Civic Participation “Call to Service Award” and was recognized as a “Rising Star” by the National Society of Hispanic MBA's and a “Club Leader of the Future” by Latino Lideres Magazine.
Assistant Director Garcia enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing softball and going to the movies, and most importantly, being a community leader & advocate.