Buying a house may be the biggest decision a person makes, and Alex Garcia is happy to help. As manager of a Wells Fargo mortgage banking branch, Garcia walks Spanish-speaking and other clients through the lending process. He also manages a team of mortgage consultants who focus on emerging markets and low- to moderate-income borrowers in the Twin Cities.
Garcia was born in Chicago but was heavily influenced during the five years he lived near Guadalajara, Mexico as a young boy. “Living in Mexico was key to the way I think now—forming me, giving me my culture and history, and the ability to pass that down to my own children,” he says.
It also gave him valuable time with his grandfather, who was mayor of the small ranch town where Garcia’s family lived. The elder Garcia continually strived to improve his city and help others in times of crisis, strongly influencing the younger Garcia’s values. “Everybody wants to do something, but no one takes the leadership role and gets involved,” he says. “People tell me I’m good at bringing things together and making things happen.”
Garcia tries to make a difference as chair of Amigos Minnesota, an internal Wells Fargo organization that fosters cultural awareness and assists with community needs. He recently coordinated the Latino Economic Panel on economic issues facing minorities, serves as board member of the Lake Street Council, and is a representative of the Nicollet/Lake Business Association.
A frequent bike rider, Garcia coaches the soccer teams of his two young children.
