Our people: Railroader marches to beat of many drums

When The News caught up with Greg Garcia to arrange an interview, he was south of Roswell overseeing Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad repairs to track damage in the Oct.19 Roswell flash flood.

Last week, the Clovis native shared some details about the rest of his life.

Q: Where were you born?

A: I was born right here in Clovis

Q: Have you been here ever since?

A: After I graduated high school I spent eight years in the Los Angeles area working for Southern California Edison.

My wife was from Clovis as well and we made a mutual decision to move back to be closer to our family; my dad and her parents were still alive and our kids had a lot of cousins here.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I have been married to Mona Casillas Garcia for two years.

I have four kids: Two boys, Aaron and John Alex, and two girls, Brittni and Sarah. I have 11 grandkids and one great-granddaughter. Love them all.

Oh, and I have two sisters, Carla and Beverly, who live in Austin, Texas.

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?

A: I wanted to be a rock musician or write for a rock music magazine or sports magazine or columnist.

Q: What changed your mind?

A: I landed a job with Southern California Edison and was working with utilities at age 18. I started and finished college in my 30’s and it didn’t make financial sense to pursue writing as a career. However, I am now a published songwriter/rock musician.

Q: What have you done for a career in your days?

A: At this point it’s almost easier to ask what I haven’t done. I worked with the electrical utilities as a lineman apprentice and meter reader.

I was also a journeyman gasfitter/service technician for New Mexico Gas Company for eight years.

After I got my degree I went to work for the New Mexico Department of Corrections as a probation/parole officer. I had worked for the utility companies since I was 18 and wanted to try something different, and boy did I get something different.

I have worked for BNSF Railroad for the last 10 years and am currently a track inspector/supervisor.

I’ve been blessed with many experiences.

Q: As a probation/parole officer, what was the upside and downside to that job?

A: I met many amazing people during my time there; some were clients and some were colleagues at the public defender’s office, district attorney’s office, and the court house.

They are very passionate about what they do, and it is inspiring. As far as downside, when I took the job I really wanted to be a world changer. I wanted to have the empathy and skill set to inspire my clients to kick their habits and criminal mindset and be the best version of themselves they could be.

Some did, but those that didn’t, I ended up at a revocation hearing or funeral and it really wore on me.

I took their failures and especially deaths hard and personal.

I have no regrets working there but it was time for a change

Q: What do you like about your job these days?

A: I enjoy being outdoors and part of the transportation industry. The process of keeping 70 mph locomotives running safely and efficiently is very demanding but worth it.

Derailments, interruptions … broken rails, etc. … and floods are obviously not ideal or fun but I truly love railroading.

Seeing the mess to begin with and when it’s over we are running trains again at maximum speed. It’s very hard work but I’m proud to be a part of it.

Q: You still have a band? Tell us about that. Who inspired you to rock and roll?

A: I am no longer gigging with a band, but I am producing an album of my songs with a band/project called “One.”

The songs were all written by me and I play bass and rhythm guitar on the tracks.

The vocalist is amazing and lives in Spain. The lead guitarist I knew from my Los Angeles days and he is currently based in Germany. The drummer for some tracks is in Los Angeles and the other is in Amarillo.

My great and talented friend Matthew Ancira co-wrote one of the songs and plays drums on another. I chose the name “One” as a metaphor as music being a universal language and also because I’ve had to power through many setbacks but at the end of the day am getting it done.

The first single or two should be out in a month or so, with a full album release next year. I’m excited. I also have a full-length album under my name called “Better Than I Used to Be” on all streaming platforms.

Kiss was the band that initially inspired me but others such as early Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, and Rush were critical in my playing and formation of my own style. Tom Petty and Jason Isbell were instrumental in inspiring me in not relying on others to write a song; it’s me and my acoustic guitar.

Q: Your email address refers to “Dr. Vikenstein.” Who is that?

A: Dr. Vikenstein was a moniker that I shopped around to newspapers to write sports columns until one said yes and I realized how hard it was to be humorous and interesting but under a deadline. I have much respect for those that are successful.

Q: What’s the most interesting place you’ve been?

A: Vancouver, Canada, had a great vibe and I was stunned in that it was nothing what I had imagined it would be. I guess I thought all of Canada was mountains with people like Bob and Doug MacKenzie from the Great White North. I’m aging myself here.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to vacation?

A: I love the Los Angeles area. The beaches, the vibe, sports teams, Hollywood, music, and beloved family and friends that live there.

Q: Tell us something about yourself that few people know.

A: If I hadn’t have gotten hired at the railroad when I did, I was seriously considering applying for law school and if accepted was going to cash in my 401k and give it my best shot to finish my career as a lawyer.

Q: What do you consider the most pleasant smell?

A: I love the smell of my babies’ heads/onesies. Those moments are priceless

Q: What’s your favorite dish?

A: The ABQ roll from Shogun Sushi on Central in Albuquerque is amazing.

Q: It’s time for Greg Garcia’s fantasy dinner. Who is there and what is being served?

A: What I’d give for a dinner with my parents and brother, with Mom’s lemon meringue pie.

Fantasy as far as those I’d love to have dinner with?

David Letterman, Mitch Hedberg, Larry David, and that crazy girl from “Bridesmaids;” she kills me, and I don’t know her name.

Oh and Taylor Swift because my daughter would never forgive me for not inviting her.

We’d have a lobster and shrimp fest along with sushi, beer and wine. Ask me tomorrow and the list will change.

Q: Do you have a favorite saying or quote?

A: “That’s what she said!”