The Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Fidel Garcia as its new Development Manager.
Garcia will spearhead the organization's fundraising efforts and cultivate relationships with donors to support the chorus's mission and programming. He brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit development and a passion for the arts to his new position. With a background in fundraising and a commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy, he is poised to make significant contributions to the growth and sustainability of GMCSF.
Mark B. Kent, Executive Director of the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida, expressed his excitement about Garcia's appointment. "We are delighted to welcome Fidel to the GMCSF family," said Kent. "His experience in development and his dedication to our community make him the perfect fit for this crucial position. We are confident that Fidel will play a key role in advancing our mission and ensuring the continued success of our chorus."
Before joining GMCSF, Fidel was the Director of Development and Communication at SAGE Eldercare in Summit, New Jersey. He achieved increased revenue during his tenure, while per-donor revenue and donor retention rates saw significant improvements. His professional journey began in telecommunications with Verizon (formerly NYNEX) from 1993 to 1997, where he excelled in bilingual sales and customer service roles. In 1997, Fidel transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, initially specializing in advertising with agency subsidiaries of Interpublic Group (IPG) and Wire and Plastic Products (WPP) until 2005. Fidel further honed his skills in organizational communications during his tenure at Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson from 2005 to 2021.
"I am honored to join the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida as Development Manager," said Garcia. "I have long admired the chorus's artistic talent and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. I look forward to working with the incredible team at GMCSF to inspire audiences and build bridges with the community to realize a diverse world united." Garcia's appointment comes at an exciting time as the Chorus prepares for its June concert, Pride: Then, Now, and Forever, and its trip to Minneapolis in July for the GALA Choruses Festival.
Fidel holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing (BA) from Iona University. His passion for making a difference in the world is matched only by his love for South Florida, where he looks forward to settling down with his beloved Biewer Terrier, Ricky, and continuing his mission of creating positive change in his new community.