Third-generation Camarillo resident, Army veteran, and nonprofit director Sylvia C. Garcia was raised in Camarillo and returned home after a decade of military service as a U.S. Army Psychological Operations Specialist. She attended UC Santa Barbara, where she studied English and Geography, participated in the English Honors Program, was a McNair Scholar, and served as an Arnhold Undergraduate Research Fellow.

Sylvia serves on the Ventura County Behavioral Health Advisory Board and founded Amazing Grace Connections and Paloma Youth. She has dedicated years to community service, research, advocacy, and leadership through nonprofit and volunteer initiatives. Her military service included assignments in Peru, Bolivia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and she received the 2006 U.S. Embassy La Paz Military Award. She also previously served on the Latino Disparities Reduction Committee.

Sylvia believes effective local government begins by listening to residents, carefully researching issues, asking thoughtful questions, and making decisions that serve the community. She is committed to transparency, accountability, and public service while working to help preserve Camarillo’s quality of life and small-town character.