Buddy Garcia

Buddy Garcia of Austin was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry on Jan. 25, 2007, to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Texas Senate confirmed his appointment on March 13, 2007. In September of 2007, Governor Perry named Buddy Garcia Chairman of the Commission. His term will expire on Aug. 31, 2011.

Prior to his appointment to the TCEQ, Garcia served as Texas' deputy secretary of state. He also served as border commerce coordinator and senate liaison for the governor's office.

Previous to his service in the governor's office, Garcia was legislative director for Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. and later served as border advisor to then-Lt. Governor Perry.

Chairman Garcia also serves on the following: the Coastal Coordination Council, the Border Security Council, the Governor's Competitiveness Council, the Texas Coastal Land Advisory Board, and the Gulf of Mexico Program Policy Review Board. He is also the co-chairman of Border 2012, a bi-national environmental program.

A native of Brownsville, Garcia graduated from St. Joseph Academy and received a bachelor's degree in political science from Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University.