Johnny Garcia
SimIS, Inc.
Norfolk, VA USA
"Everybody has great ideas, but that doesn’t mean that great idea is going to get you anywhere. The key to being successful isn’t about having a great idea, it’s about how you implement it."
Career Roadmap
Johnny's work combines: Engineering, Science, and Accomplishing Goals
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Computer and Information Systems
Saint Leo University
Graduate Degree
Business Administration and Management, General
Florida Institute of Technology
Doctorate
Engineering, General
Old Dominion University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Computer and Information Systems Managers:
Bachelor's Degree: Computer and Information Systems
Graduate Degree: Business Administration and Management, General
Doctorate: Engineering, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I grew up working on the cotton farms of Lubbock, Texas with my family.
2.
My early dream was to become an astronomer, but I realized that the lack of jobs would make pursuing this career very difficult.
3.
After high school, I attended Texas Tech University in order to play baseball, but when that didn’t work out, I dropped out and joined the Navy.
4.
While in the Navy, I took classes online to complete my degree in computer information systems.
5.
After spending five years in the military, I decided not to reenlist—got a job working in engineering simulations.
6.
At the time, I didn’t know anything about engineering, so I kept going to school to earn an MBA and a PhD in engineering—moved my way up until I was the chief technologist of the whole company.
7.
I was encouraged by my former boss to start my own company—I risked everything and ended up quitting my job, mortgaging my house, and spending my life savings to start it.
8.
In 2007, I launched SimIs, Inc. offering information security consulting and engineering services to various clients including Fortune 500 companies and the U.S. Government.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You don't have what it takes to be a CEO.
How I responded:
I've been told that my "pedigree" is not that of a CEO. This includes things like my race and my history in the military, etc. I've also been told that I wasn't going to be able to get a PhD. I knew I was never going to be a CEO unless I started my own business. So, I sought out better advisors and I started my own business.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I am not the typical CEO. Coming from a Hispanic/Latino background, people don't often see people like me doing this work. I have to constantly work to challenge stereotypes and diversify the business.
My family worked in the cotton fields in Texas, so I didn't grow up with a lot of money. Later on, I risked every penny I had to start my own business.