Meet Our Staff

Above all else, I am passionate about meeting the needs of the poor with dignity and compassion.

In September 2013, this passion led me back to Cristo Rey Community Center, where I accepted the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).  I was first involved with Cristo Rey in 1991 as a volunteer career counselor. I worked to inspire young people and help them develop the confidence needed to break into their chosen careers successfully. 

As I approached graduating college, I promised myself that I would dedicate the first five years of my professional career to helping the migrant/immigrant community. The reason for the promise was that I was grateful for the opportunities that I received through the efforts of my migrant parents.

I met this promise to myself by working with Migrant Head Start, an early childhood development program. My work with Head Start led me to Washington, D.C. as a National Head Start Association member.  I spent a considerable amount of time endeavoring to increase awareness of the merits of early childhood education.  My career with the Head Start program culminated in managing two educational facilities where my most valued role was involving parents in their children’s education. 

Before leading Cristo Rey Community Center as CEO, I had already had a successful career in the non-profit sector, public administration, F100 sales management, and as an entrepreneur. As a result of my passion for serving vulnerable populations,

I prospered for 15+ years in telecommunications, where I progressed through the ranks. I ultimately achieved the position of Division Director of Avaya, a multi-national technology company specializing in cloud communications and workstream collaboration solutions.  Before leaving the private sector, I was offered the opportunity to lead the MBA Career Services office at Michigan State University, where I maintained corporate relations and worked to guide MBA candidates in their career endeavors.

Before I would ultimately return to lead Cristo Rey Community Center, I was able to fulfill my entrepreneurial desire to own my own business.  I owned and operated three successful fitness clubs.

I am a native Michigander, and I hold an MBA from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan, and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Communications and Spanish from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

-CEO, Joe Garcia