PROFILE
Making life long learning a priority in-house
General counsel for trucking company was not a model student but now sees benefit of life experiences as well as education. By Jennifer Brown
Becoming a lawyer wasn't remotely on Fernando Garcia's radar in high school. In fact, his story could be an inspiration to any young per- son who struggles in school and thinks a career in law is beyond their grasp. "As a kid, I really didn't have set goals
or expectations. I had a lot of trouble in school. It started off initially when I entered elementary school having to learn English and French and because of where my school was situated, a little Italian too,
says Garcia, who is general counsel, pri- vacy officer and corporate secretary with Navistar Canada Inc. based in Burlington, Ont. (formerly International Truck and Engine Corp. Canada). Today, Garcia is a booster of continuing
ond year of a three-year part-time Master of Business Administration program at Wilfrid Laurier University (Toronto loca- tion) and has his eye on learning another language. He believes it is part of staying current and in-demand. In his role at Navistar, which he has
been in for almost five years, Garcia reports to an associate general counsel with the company who is based in the U.S., but has full responsibility for all Canadian matters.
It makes you think differently. It gives you some new tools to work with as well. I think the more you can develop yourself and improve yourself the better off you are.
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education at all ages, no matter how suc- cessful one is in their career. He'
s in the sec-
