The Power of Hope
Eddie García is an East San José native. He had a successful career in government, business, education, and community development. After a massive heart attack in 2010, Eddie embarked on a fight for his life. He used the power of hope to overcome a decade of living with heart failure. A successful heart transplant in 2020 inspired him to publish his memoir, Summer in the Waiting Room: Faith • Hope • Love.
He is also the author of Mexican Heritage Plaza: A Symbol of Resilience and Perseverance. His professional career included positions as Vice President of Local Government Affairs at Comcast in California and Chief of Staff to the President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. In 2014, he established García Strategies, a leadership development firm that provides skill development and mentorship for community leaders. He works primarily with non-profit organizations, education institutions, and individual executives. Eddie served the education community on the East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD) Board of Trustees from 2006-2010, including a term as Board President in 2010.
During his tenure at the ESUHSD, he spearheaded the “A-G Initiative” – a policy that made college entrance requirements the district’s default curriculum – and led the effort to save after-school sports programs during the 2006-2009 recession. He is also Co-Founder of the Latino Leadership Alliance, a leadership academy established in collaboration with Stanford University’s Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity. Eddie continues to work on several passion projects since his 2020 heart transplant. He volunteers with the Honor the Gift Coalition (a transplant advocacy organization), serves as Board Vice President of the Transplant Recipients International Organization, and shares his story as a national keynote speaker at corporate, nonprofit, and book events.
He is an avid reader, especially of history and biography, and a lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and college basketball. In 2011, Eddie was inducted into the East Side Union High School District Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of the Californians for Justice “Justice Award” and the NAACP “Freedom Fighter Award.” Eddie lives in San Jose, California, with his wife Sandra. They have two adult daughters.