‘ ‘
people
Interview by: Heidi Powell-Prera
www.heidipowell-prera.com
Mr. Pete Garcia, Executive Director of
the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Com-
merce, Houston chapter, met with me
at the BBVA on Post Oak. Coming
on the heels of the discussion about
our withdrawal from NAFTA and re-
negotiations of the agreement and the
controversies surrounding immigra-
tion, I was anxious to get his insight
and opinions on U.S. trade relations
with Mexico, more specifically, Texas
trade relations with Mexico.
iF: What was your background before
you became Executive Director of the
Chamber?
Garcia: I was with Continental Air-
lines for 30 years. For the last 10 years
of my service there, I was like the
president of Latin America. My job
was to open up a hub for flights to
Latin America.
iF: That was one of your jobs?
Garcia: That was my job. I retired
from there.
iF: Okay. Most people do not get to
have that. They have to change and
move a lot.
Pete Garcia
Executive Director, U.S.-Mexico
Chamber of Commerce
30 iF Magazine | September 2018
I think the economic
power Houston has
created is finally
being identified.We
are finally saying that
one of the reasons
Houston has done so
well is because of our
diversity.
’ ’
Garcia: You know I started my
own consulting company, really to
help Latin countries build their busi-
nesses here in the United States and
vice-versa. But it seemed that most
of the business was from Mexico, so I
focused on Mexico. Continental was
the official airline of the Chamber of
Commerce for several years. I created
that relationship.
iF: So, you were involved with the
Garcia: Well, during my tenure
with Mexico, there were only two
airlines that flew into Mexico: Aero-
mexico and Continental. Now there
are seven airlines that fly into Mexico.
There are about 100 flights a day. So
it made Texas the number one mar-
ket for Mexico and number one trade
partner for Houston. The amount
of business done between Texas and
Mexico is about $175 billion a year!
That is from $690 billion for the en-
tire United States. The topic right
now is NAFTA, how to get NAFTA
approved. The current administra-
tion threatened to pull out. It is a 25
year-old agreement, and it has worked
very well economically, particularly in
the automotive industry. Twenty-five
years ago, the United States’ automo-
tive industry was in trouble. Their la-
bor costs were too high. The Japanese,
the Europeans, and the Koreans were
invading the industry.
iF: So, back on topic for a minute.
The United States-Mexico Chamber
of Commerce has been in Houston
since what year?
Garcia: The purpose of the Cham-
ber of Commerce is to develop busi-
ness to Mexico and from Mexico.
Garcia: Oh, I moved around a lot
There are 10 chapters in the United
with the airline. Houston to Florida,
States; New York, Chicago, Miami,
that was how I got to know Sanibel Garcia: Before, yes. All the people San Francisco; and we have eight
Island. I moved to San Diego with in The Woodlands started seeing all chapters in Mexico. We have been
the airline. Then I moved to Mexico these wealthy Mexicans buying hous- around for 40 years, in Houston for
City. From Mexico City, I moved es. Why weren’t they bringing their about seven. We started with two am-
businesses as well? So I asked them to bassadors, from that evolved creating
back to Houston.
talk with the U.S.-Mexico Chamber NAFTA, which is now being deemed
iF: So you got with a good company of Commerce about a chapter here. the worst trade agreement ever in his-
They had chapters in New York, Chi- tory for the U.S. We, as well as the U.S.
and stayed.
cago and Los Angeles. They said yes Chamber of Commerce and most
Garcia: My first job was selling in- and asked who is going to run it? I businessmen, disagree.
ternational. My first marketing job volunteered to do it for two years for
with Continental was marketing the FREE! After two years, they said that iF: Most people disagree with that.
Pacific. Continental used to be really they should be paying, compensating
big in Micronesia, Guam, New Zea- me. I said okay, and here I am seven Garcia: Look at what trade has done.
land, and more. Then we decided to years later. I still consult. That is how I It is the biggest trade block anywhere
grow Latin America. We grew Mexico make my money.
in the World. Twenty-five years ago,
from 17 flights from Houston a day to
everything has changed. The global-
32 flights a day from Houston. Then iF: So you are still actively involved
ization of business has given America
we added Central America and the in business. That is important for a
an opportunity to grow worldwide.
Chamber to have someone who un-
Caribbean.
Now we are looking at China as a
derstands business. Is there anything
competitor. They have grown quite
else you would like to tell us about
iF: And you retired from there?
well. The trade imbalance with China
Mexico since Mexico is what our next is huge. The way I look at NAFTA,
Did you take on other jobs after
issue is about?
retirement?
the way it was originally drawn up,
the three North American countries
Chamber many years before, through
Continental?
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