75 Millennium - Twenty-fourth Edition GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY Whether personally or professionally, Rosa Garcia has spent her life serving others. Her achievements include her impactful work in education, law enforcement and environmental advocacy, along with more than two decades of volunteerism with her children’s scouting troops. Ms. Garcia is a plans examiner for the City of San Antonio’s Tree Department, a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she ensures preservation efforts are upheld in both commercial and residential property development. She currently holds a tree certification and is pursuing an arborist certification. A career in law enforcement spanning nearly 12 years has well-positioned Ms. Garcia for her current work. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a forensic specialization and began working with a sheriff’s department in Florida in 2001. She advanced through various positions, with stints in records, crime scene investigation, fugitive tracking and warrants. Prior to her tenure at the sheriff’s department, Ms. Garcia lived around the world for about seven years as a former military spouse. During this time, she held preschool teaching positions in San Antonio and Guam and special education roles in Italy and Florida. Upon returning to her hometown of San Antonio, Ms. Garcia found it difficult to re-enter law enforcement. Her lifelong passion for the outdoors inspired her to find a position that would allow her to work in nature. She began with the City of San Antonio in 2012 in various administrative and supervisory roles before taking her current position. Ms. Garcia is a strong champion for protecting trees and sharing the benefits they provide. In her work, she highlights the need to value and preserve nature, working to change the perception of trees as mere obstacles to development. Her environmental activism extends to her long involvement as a leader with the Girl Scouts of America and an advanced chairperson with the Boy Scouts of America (now Scouting America). Looking ahead, Ms. Garcia intends to launch a hydroponics business focused on sustainable food production after she retires. She also plans to continue consulting and raising awareness about urban forestry and tree preservation. ROSA GARCIA PLANS EXAMINER City of San Antonio San Antonio, TX Millennium Magazine Featured Listee
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