Tony Garza
| Antonio Oscar "Tony" Garza, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Ambassador to Mexico | |
| In office 22 November 2002 – 20 January 2009 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Jeffrey S. Davidow |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Pascual |
| Texas Railroad Commissioner | |
| In office 1999–2002 | |
| Preceded by | Barry Williamson |
| Succeeded by | Victor G. Carrillo |
| 98th Secretary of State of Texas | |
| In office 1995–1997 | |
| Governor | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Ron Kirk |
| Succeeded by | Alberto Gonzales |
| Cameron County Judge | |
| In office 1989–1995 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 7, 1959 Brownsville, Texas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | María Asunción Aramburuzabala (m. 2005; div. 2010) Liz Beightler (m. 2012) |
| Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin (B.A.) Southern Methodist University School of Law (J.D.) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Antonio Oscar "Tony" Garza, Jr. (born 7 July 1959, in Brownsville, Texas) is an American lawyer who was the United States Ambassador to Mexico from 2002 to 2009. In recognition of his work, Mexico bestowed on him the Águila Azteca, the highest award granted to foreigners, in 2009. Prior to his appointment as ambassador, Garza had served as Secretary of State of Texas from January 1995 to November 1997 and was also chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission.
Early life and education
Garza is the son of a gasoline station owner and the grandson of Mexican immigrants to the United States.[1][2] Garza received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980 and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1983 from Southern Methodist University School of Law.[3]
Career
After practicing as an attorney, Garza became a judge in Cameron County in 1988.[4] He served as the Texas Secretary of State from January 1995 to November 1997 before later being elected as one of the three member board of the Texas Railroad Commission, where he served as chairman.[2][1][5] In 2002, he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, a position he held until 2009.[2][1] In 2009, the year he retired from the office, Garza received the Águila Azteca from Mexico in recognition of his work to strengthen the bonds between Mexico and the United States.[4] This is the highest award that Mexico bestows on foreigners. Thereafter, he took a position as counsel with White & Case LLP and also as chairman of management consultancy firm Vianovo Ventures.[5][4]
Personal life
Garza married María Asunción Aramburuzabala, the president of Tresalia Capital who had a personal fortune valued at $1.8 billion, according to one source.[6] The couple divorced in May 2010.[7] He subsequently married Liz Beightler.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Toasting the power of love", Houston Chronicle, April 22, 2005.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Bush selects Texas ally, Garza, as U.S. ambassador to Mexico". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. July 17, 2002. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
- ↑ "Antonio O. Garza Jr.". White & Case LLP. 2010. Retrieved 2011-04-04.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Perez-Trevino, Emma (July 18, 2009). "Tony Garza plans for future beyond public office". The Brownsville Herald. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gibbes, Rodney (May 6, 2013). "TribLive: A Conversation with Tony Garza". Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
- ↑ Laura Bush to attend Mexican beer baroness' wedding to US diplomat: report AFP
- ↑ Aramburuzabala y Garza se divorcian (Spanish)
- ↑ "About Antonio Garza". TonyGarza.com. 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ron Kirk |
Secretary of State of Texas 1995 – 1997 |
Succeeded by Alberto Gonzales |
| Preceded by Barry Williamson |
Texas Railroad Commissioner 1999 – 2002 |
Succeeded by Victor G. Carrillo |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by Jeffrey S. Davidow |
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico 2002 – 2009 |
Succeeded by Carlos Pascual |
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