Lucas A. Garcia, Ph.D. (informal biography)

Dr. Lucas A. Garcia is a Mercedes native who started his academic career with the Mercedes Independent School District.  While attending Mercedes High School, Lucas demonstrated his interest in the Agricultural Sciences department under the direction of Doug Meyer.  Lucas held several leadership positions with the Mercedes FFA chapter and soon decided to pursue higher education at two public universities. Lucas attended Texas A&M University in College Station and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science during the summer of 2006.  Lucas began a Master of Science degree at Sam Houston State University two weeks later. While attending Sam Houston State, Lucas assisted in teaching student labs in horticulture and in beef cattle production. Lucas wrote a thesis on an alfalfa hay trial and earned a Masters in Animal Science in the spring of 2008.  

Lucas returned to the Rio Grande Valley where he started a career with the Texas A&M University System serving as the Willacy County Agriculture Extension Agent in Raymondville, TX.  He worked in Willacy County for two years where he did applied research with local farmers and ranchers while also reigniting the 4-H program for young leaders in the community. In February 2010, Lucas joined the McAllen Fire Department.  A love for the fire service was imminent. Lucas proudly served in the Mercedes Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter on his off days later that year.

In June 2014, Lucas enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Public Policy & Administration with a focus in Emergency Management.  His research investigated firefighter training fatalities and adherence policies to health and wellness programs. Lucas successfully defended his dissertation in November 2018 where he was then declared a Doctor.  Lucas has presented his research at the Nation Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland and in Atlanta, Georgia during his last doctoral residency.

Lucas currently maintains the rank of Lieutenant with the McAllen Fire Department and serves as a hazmat technician, rope rescue technician, fire instructor, fire investigator, and fire inspector.  Lucas is married to Rosalie M. Badillo from Mercedes and they currently reside in McAllen with their mini dachshunds and Australian shepherd. He is the son of former Mercedes Mayor Norma G. Garcia and George A. Garcia from Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home in Mercedes.  His interests include hunting, fishing, camping, competition BBQ, and coaching CrossFit courses at the McAllen Fire Department CrossFit gym to promote health and wellness. Lucas hopes to help fellow Rio Grande Valley firefighters further their education and advance themselves in leadership roles within the network of fire departments.

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