Terry Garcia is executive vice president for Mission Programs for the National Geographic Society. He is responsible for the Society's core mission programs, including programs that support and manage more than 400 scientific field research, conservation and exploration projects annually. In addition, he oversees the Society's Explorers-in-Residence and Emerging Explorers programs, geography and science education programs, geography competitions, development office, exhibitions, live events and the arts media program, which includes the All Roads film and photography program.
In June 2010 Garcia was appointed by President Obama to serve on the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. The Commission investigated the root causes of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and made recommendations on how to prevent — and mitigate the impact of — any future spills that result from offshore drilling.
Prior to joining the Society in 1999 Garcia was assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere, U.S. Department of Commerce, and deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In this role he directed and coordinated U.S. coastal, ocean and atmospheric programs, including recovery of the endangered species, habitat conservation planning, Clean Water Act implementation, the development of the national marine sanctuary system and commercial satellite licensing. From 1994 to 1996 he was NOAA's general counsel. In that capacity he led the implementation of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Plan for Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska.
Before entering government service, Garcia was a partner in the law firms of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Hughes Hubbard & Reed.
He is a member of the board of directors of the Institute for Exploration/Mystic Aquarium and the Amazonian Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER). He also is a member of the U.S. National Committee for the Census of Marine Life; the advisory board of the Harte Research Institute of Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University; and the advisory board for the Scottish Government's Saltire Challenge Prize for marine renewable energy; and is a trustee emeritus of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Garcia also has served on panels convened by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Public Administration.
He received his bachelor's degree in international relations from American University and his law degree from The George Washington University.
