Edward D. Garza
Encyclopedia
Edward D. Garza, known as Ed Garza (born 1969), is an American
politician
and a professional urban planner. From 2001-2005, he served as mayor of
San Antonio
, Texas
. Thirty-two in 2001, he is the youngest person to have been mayor of his city and only the second person of Hispanic
descent to hold the office since the election of Henry Cisneros
in 1981.
for two years before transferring to Texas A&M University
in College Station
, where he earned a Bachelor of Science
in Landscape Architecture in 1992 and a Master of Science
in Land Development in 1994.
. Garza has also held adjunct professor positions at the University of Texas at San Antonio
and St. Mary's University
.
Garza's political career includes two terms on the San Antonio City Council, two terms as Mayor of San Antonio, and as of 2009, a trustee of the San Antonio Independent School District
.
Though a Democrat
, all of Garza's offices have thus far been nonpartisan
. In 2010, Garza endorsed the reelection of Republican
Governor
Rick Perry
in the November 2 general election
against the Democratic nominee, William Henry "Bill" White
, former mayor of Houston
and former state party chairman. In a statement, Garza said that Perry has "upheld his proven track record in bringing Texas to the forefront of the global economy, having helped provide the people of this city and state the jobs and opportunities they need to prosper. His leadership and conservative principles are what cities need to grow economically and remain competitive in today’s market. These values are to be emulated as they foster an environment that welcomes jobs and success. I cannot think of a better governor for Texas, and it brings me great joy to endorse Governor Perry in this year’s general election."
Perry replied that Garza "has made a remarkable and lasting impact on the city of San Antonio. His vision of improving and expanding education and economic development has allowed San Antonio to flourish. Partnering with the state, Mayor Garza was instrumental in helping bring Toyota's manufacturing facility to the city's south side, an addition of more than five thousand high paying jobs."
Articles about Garza have appeared in several publications, including Texas Monthly
, Hispanic Business Magazine
, and Urban Land Magazine.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and a professional urban planner. From 2001-2005, he served as mayor of
San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Thirty-two in 2001, he is the youngest person to have been mayor of his city and only the second person of Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
descent to hold the office since the election of Henry Cisneros
Henry Cisneros
Henry Gabriel Cisneros is a politician and businessman. A Democrat, Cisneros served as the 10th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the administration of President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997...
in 1981.
Early life and education
A native of San Antonio, Garza graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1986. He attended the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
for two years before transferring to Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
in College Station
College Station, Texas
College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in East Central Texas in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The city is located within the most populated region of Texas, near three of the 10 largest cities in the United States - Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio...
, where he earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Landscape Architecture in 1992 and a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in Land Development in 1994.
Career
In 2010, Garza is president and CEO of the urban development and investment firm Zane Garway. He was previously a principal in the firm AECOMAECOM
AECOM Technology Corporation is a professional technical and management support services firm. The company is ranked as the number one design firm for 2010 and 2011 by Engineering News-Record and number one by Architectural Record. It provides services in the areas of transportation, planning,...
. Garza has also held adjunct professor positions at the University of Texas at San Antonio
University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio, commonly referred to as UTSA, is a state university in San Antonio, Texas. With an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, it is the third-largest of nine universities and six health institutions in the University of Texas System and the eighth-largest in...
and St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University, Texas
St. Mary's University is a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution located on northwest of downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. St. Mary’s is a nationally recognized master’s level school ranked among the top colleges in the west for best value and academic reputation by U.S. News...
.
Garza's political career includes two terms on the San Antonio City Council, two terms as Mayor of San Antonio, and as of 2009, a trustee of the San Antonio Independent School District
San Antonio Independent School District
San Antonio Independent School District is a school district based in Downtown San Antonio, Texas .San Antonio ISD is one of 15 school districts serving San Antonio. San Antonio ISD serves the downtown and inner city areas of San Antonio. San Antonio ISD also serves a small portion of the city of...
.
Though a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, all of Garza's offices have thus far been nonpartisan
Nonpartisan
In political science, nonpartisan denotes an election, event, organization or person in which there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation....
. In 2010, Garza endorsed the reelection of Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
in the November 2 general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
against the Democratic nominee, William Henry "Bill" White
Bill White
-Politics:* Bill White – former mayor of the city of Houston and a candidate for the Texas gubernatorial election in 2010...
, former mayor of Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
and former state party chairman. In a statement, Garza said that Perry has "upheld his proven track record in bringing Texas to the forefront of the global economy, having helped provide the people of this city and state the jobs and opportunities they need to prosper. His leadership and conservative principles are what cities need to grow economically and remain competitive in today’s market. These values are to be emulated as they foster an environment that welcomes jobs and success. I cannot think of a better governor for Texas, and it brings me great joy to endorse Governor Perry in this year’s general election."
Perry replied that Garza "has made a remarkable and lasting impact on the city of San Antonio. His vision of improving and expanding education and economic development has allowed San Antonio to flourish. Partnering with the state, Mayor Garza was instrumental in helping bring Toyota's manufacturing facility to the city's south side, an addition of more than five thousand high paying jobs."
Articles about Garza have appeared in several publications, including Texas Monthly
Texas Monthly
Texas Monthly is a monthly American magazine headquartered in Austin, Texas. Texas Monthly is published by Emmis Publishing, L.P. and was founded in 1973 by Michael R. Levy, Texas Monthly chronicles life in contemporary Texas, writing on politics, the environment, industry, and education...
, Hispanic Business Magazine
Hispanic Business
Hispanic Business, Inc. is a media company based in Goleta, California, in the United States of America. The firm was founded by Jesús Chavarría in 1979 and its publications are oriented towards Hispanic professionals and entrepreneurs.-Publications:...
, and Urban Land Magazine.