Rick Garcia, Champion of Aviation in Polk County, Concludes Term as CFDC Board Member
Garcia, President of Gulf Coast Avionics, has been a monumental figure in Polk County’s aviation scene for decades. His tenure as a member of the CFDC Board of Directors has come to an end, but there is no doubt Garcia will continue to move mountains and lead the aviation industry to new heights.
Rick Garcia and aviation go hand-in-hand. In 1984, he started Gulf Coast Avionics to sell, install, and repair aircraft electronics. Now, nearly 40 years later, it remains a leading supplier of avionics, pilot supplies and aircraft services. Garcia is known for his passion for education and his commitment to pouring into the community. His dedication is infectious. Because of his passion for the gift of education, CFDC is starting a new scholarship fund to benefit students pursuing education in one of Polk County’s target industries.
“I don’t believe a lot of people understand the impact that Rick Garcia has actually had on the aviation industry here in Polk County,” said Gene Conrad, Past Board Chair and President & CEO of Aerospace Center for Excellence. “[The] start of the Central Florida Aerospace Academy has been the catalyst for what really has happened for the aviation industry in Polk County over the last 18 years.”
[The] start of the Central Florida Aerospace Academy has been the catalyst for what really has happened for the aviation industry in Polk County over the last 18 years.
Gene Conrad, President & CEO of Aerospace Center for Excellence
Central Florida Aerospace Academy is a unique career and technical STEM public high school academy developed to offer the opportunity to participate in aviation-related electives and earn industry certifications and licenses. Students interested in aviation, aerospace, and engineering technologies can also complete dual enrollment and Advanced Placement college credits, all while completing their high school education. Garcia helped create the Central Florida Aerospace Academy in 2007.
Aviation Soars Under Garcia’s Leadership
Garcia is characterized by his peers as an amazing leader, mentor, and friend. He is consistently recognized for his passion, dedication, and community involvement. As a long-standing figure in Polk County’s aerospace field, he has served on many aviation-focused boards, including the Board of Directors of SUN ‘n FUN and Aerospace Center for Excellence, and serving as the Aviation Chair for the CFDC for several years.
Reflecting on the past six years with the CFDC Board of Directors, Garcia describes the chapter as “an amazing experience of people and businesses that I have met and would have never met if I had not served.”
When asked what he was most proud of during his tenure, Garcia reflected on the moment when his company, Gulf Coast Avionics, won the Success in Small Business Award in 2023. He also expressed his hope that he made a difference as Aviation Chair.
His peers seem to unanimously agree that he has.
“Rick is all about breaking the status quo. If we are resting on our laurels and we’re not pushing as hard as we can, Rick is going to question that and keep us pushing forward,” shared Conrad. “…the impact [he has] made with [his] passion, [his] involvement, and [his] dedication is unmatched,” shared Conrad.
A Legacy of Excellence
Garcia may be leaving the CFDC Board, but Polk’s Aviation, Aerospace & Defense Sector is in good hands. Kincart, who is moving into the role of Aviation Chair, shared, “I don’t take lightly following in his footsteps and trying to instill the same values that he has, because I think it’s going to be necessary to keep this moving.”
Garcia’s advice to the 2026|2027 Board of Directors is simple: “Keep pursuing Aerospace as a key industry.”
As Garcia lands the plane on the final year of his six-year term on the Board, his legacy exemplifies his dedication to serving the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals. His insight and expertise have been invaluable to the CFDC’s mission. Though his board service is ending, his impact on the aviation sector will continue to be felt in meaningful ways for years to come.
