Secretary of the Air Force Presents Charles P. Garcia With the Distinguished Public Service Medal

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a ceremony held on Capitol Hill, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley pinned on South Florida businessman, Charles P. Garcia the Distinguished Public Service medal, which is one of the highest awards the U.S. Air Force can bestow on a civilian "for his valuable advice, diplomacy, and leadership in support of the Nation and the United States Air Force."

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111205/CL17172-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111205/CL17172-b )

Also present at the awards ceremony was Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norman Schwartz; Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael Gould and his staff; and the fifteen member Board of Visitors of the U.S. Air Force Academy composed of four US Senators, four members of Congress, and seven presidential appointees.

Charles Garcia served for five years as the Chairman of the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors under both President Obama and former President Bush.  The oversight board advises the Superintendent and the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force by making recommendations on matters relating to the operations at the military academy.  Garcia said, "It was a great honor to serve on this impressive Board and to work with senior Air Force leaders in carrying out our collective responsibility to the Air Force and the American people."  Since the Air Force Academy's founding in 1959, only the late Senator Barry Goldwater served a longer period as Chairman of the Board of Visitors.

According to the citation presented by the Department of the Air Force, as Chairman of the Board:

"He led a historic transformation of the Board of Visitors to ensure it operates more like a corporate board of directors, to include establishing five active subcommittees.  Mr. Garcia provided unequalled support for the Academy Capital Campaign and the 'Fix USAFA' plan, which led to 470 million dollars in renovations and new facilities.  His wise counsel and guidance played an active role in the success of the Academy's 10-year academic accreditation in 2009.  In addition, Mr. Garcia's charge to increase applicants from underrepresented districts enhanced the Congressional selection process and improved candidate diversity for all service academies.  Mr. Garcia's semi-annual reports and recommendations were instrumental to the Secretary of the Air Force's oversight of United States Air Force Academy."  

About Charles P. Garcia

Charles is the CEO of Garcia Trujillo Holdings LLC, a private equity, consulting, and merchant-banking firm focused on the global Hispanic market.  From founding a company with three people that grew to sixty offices in seven countries to serving as one of the youngest members of a Fortune 500 board, this Columbia Law School graduate, White House Fellow, and a bestselling author was named as one of fourteen Latino role models for the nation in the book Hispanics in the USA:  Making History.  More at www.garciatrujillo.com.

SOURCE Garcia Trujillo Holdings LLC