About Me
Background
Growing up in the "projects" with a single mother in Lufkin, Texas was hard. Young De'Carlo grew accustomed to moving at least once a year until the 8th grade where he finally was able to have some stability but still living below poverty. He attended Lufkin High School and played football. Senior year brought different challenges academically where he was able to graduate, however he wasn't allowed to walk with his class. On his 18th birthday in 1997, he joined the United States Air Force and served his country domestically and abroad in Italy in support of the Kosovo War, and Kuwait working in Avionics. After leaving the service before he desired, yet with honorable discharge, he entered the workforce. He was stationed at Hurlburt Field and decided to stay in the area. He has been in Okaloosa County since 1998. He attended Okaloosa Walton Community College and worked various manual labor jobs staying behind the scenes until he landed a position as a military contractor where he has worked at for the past 17 years. He purchased his first home in 2012 and became the first one in his immediate family to graduate from high school, attend college, join the military, and become a homeowner.
Mission
Garcia's mission is to ensure that we put all citizens of Okaloosa County first by engaging our private and public sector partners to provide improved infrastructure, improved veteran support and excellence in critical services to enhance the quality of life for all residents and visitors. He will be your full-time commissioner.
Involvement
Garcia is deeply involved in local community initiatives. He serves as the vice president of We Reign Sickle Cell Corporation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for individuals with sickle cell disease. Additionally, he is the chairman of the Citizens Advisory Council for Crestview, where he actively engages with community members to address local issues.