FHWA Works: Employee Spotlight - Juan C. Garcia

Full Name: Juan C. Garcia
Title: Multimedia Specialist
Division/Department: Management Services/Office of Administration (HAD)
Location: Washington, DC

1. What is your current position and how long have you been in this role?
   My current position is Multimedia Specialist in which I do graphic design for FHWA. I've been in this role for one year and seven months.

2. What is your typical workday like?
   My typical workday is always fun. I come in early in the morning and start using my graphics software to design posters, banners, presentations, and booklets for different FHWA programs and initiatives. I get to be creative every single day.

3. What has been your biggest accomplishment over the last year?
   I would have to say my biggest accomplishment was being last year's FHWA's coordinator and team leader for the Feds Feed Families campaign and the Can Castle Competition. I created the character "BlueWay the Can" which was used for the marketing posters and flyers. At the end, the FHWA team contributed the most weight in food at DOT HQ for the "Can Castle."

4. Prior to working at FHWA, what was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?
   Prior to FHWA I was an apparel designer in Puerto Rico. I used to make logos and print t-shirts for some local clothing companies, magazines, record labels, and bands from all of Puerto Rico. I've seen pictures of people wearing my designs all over the world.

5. What are your hobbies in your spare time?
   I like to be active and practice all kinds of sports, but right now I'm getting back into mountain biking and I also play softball. I love spending time with my wife and playing with my daughter.

6. What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned in your career to get you where you are today?
   One of the biggest lessons I've learned in my career at FHWA is that hard work really pays off. Here at FHWA, I get to work with a lot of different people, and as a designer, I really like to give my best. Ultimately, the final product speaks for itself and people let you know how much they like it.

7. Complete this sentence: "People would be surprised if they knew..."
   I have a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. However, I decided to follow my passion and became a graphic designer.