The LGBTQ Liaison serves as an accessible and friendly ear to the city’s LGBTQ community and reports to the Mayor and other city officials on LGBTQ related issues and concerns. Mayor Stephanie Terry appointed Zach Garcia as LGBTQ Liaison, serving the City of Evansville.

Zach, a native of Northwest Indiana, focuses on forestry and environmental humanities. His undergraduate experience started at UW-Madison, where he majored in Geography, French Language and Literature, and Japanese Language and Literature. Later, he studied forestry and environmental humanities at the Yale School of the Environment for his graduate degree.

His service as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal cultivated an understanding of community engagement and environmental challenges. Joining Wesselman Woods in 2019 as the Director of Environmental Education, Zach's leadership culminated in assuming the role of Executive Director in January 2022. He also serves on the Indiana Community Forestry Council Board.

During his tenure, Wesselman Woods acquired a 42-acre tract of land with a $2.3M investment in 2023. Additionally, the organization received a gift of 48-acres from the City of Evansville. Zach's team spearheaded the creation of a $250,000 treehouse within the Nature Playscape. 

Zach engages in his son's education at Evansville Day School. They have a frightened beagle, a rambunctious papillion, and a tarantula at home. Zach enjoys knitting, making wooden puppets, and indoor climbing.