WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced the appointment of Joseph A. Garcia as Secretary's Representative for the Rocky Mountain Region, based in Denver.

As the Secretary's Representative, Garcia oversees HUD programs and services for Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. He is charged with evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of HUD programs and providing customer-oriented service. Garcia is one of 10 Secretary's Representatives around the nation.

"Joseph Garcia brings a wealth of experience and dynamic leadership skills to the position of Secretary's Representative for the Rocky Mountains," Cuomo said. "In this position, he will assure that HUD works as an active partner with local government, the private sector, and non-profit groups to tackle the many challenges facing the region."

"I am very grateful to Secretary Cuomo and President Clinton for giving me the opportunity to serve the people of this six-state region," Garcia said. "These are very exciting times for our Department, with many challenges ahead. I will work to deliver on the Secretary's efforts to make HUD a results-driven agency that works proactively with state and local governments, community groups, the real estate industry and others."

Garcia replaces Tony Hernandez.

Since 1993, Garcia has served in Governor Roy Romer's Cabinet as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, an agency that is responsible for the licensing and regulating of dozens of professions and industries within the state.

Prior to his appointment by Governor Romer, Garcia was a litigation partner in the law firm of Holme Roberts and Owen. He was the firm's first Hispanic partner and was named one of the nation's Outstanding Hispanic Lawyers for 1992 and 1993 by Hispanic Business.

Garcia lives in Colorado Springs. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado and Harvard Law School.