The Garcia Companies

Andrea Kilmer serves as CEO and has been with The Garcia Companies for more than 40 years. “We recently reviewed all the projects we’ve built over the years – more than 20,000 residential units in Virginia Beach, the Ocean Breeze Water Park, the Tidewater Veterans Memorial, and the first convention hotel that is now Doubletree, to name just a few,” Andrea says. “The actual value of what we have built in Virginia Beach is more than $2 billion. We believe our company has added to the growth and success of Virginia Beach.”

Adam Carroll, who serves as COO, relates how people will ask him what the company is doing now that Eddie is no longer in charge. “I would love people to know that while we have a rich and fiercely loyal history with the area, we are writing our future with exciting projects ahead as we expand our business operations across the southeast. We are carrying the legacy and commitment we developed in Virginia Beach to new communities.”

The Garcia Companies continues its long legacy of changing the landscape in Hampton Roads and beyond.

From the beginning, The Garcia Companies has been deeply involved in the local community. “Eddie always wanted to support those in need who couldn’t help themselves, to lift people up and give them an opportunity to succeed,” Andrea says. Eddie was one of the founders of Operation Smile, Mother Seton House, and many other philanthropic organizations in Hampton Roads. The company gives their employees time off to volunteer with nonprofits and also provides expertise for nonprofit start-ups. “Whenever there is a need, we are willing to jump in, not just with dollars, but with our time,” Andrea adds.

Eddie Garcia founded The Garcia Companies more than 70 years ago and guided the company until his death in 2019.

“People like to say that they think outside the box, but at The Garcia Companies, we don’t have a box,” Andrea says. “We have done a lot of unique things, and we have a broad skillset among our employees who make it all happen. Once a week, we have a call with our key personnel where everyone is encouraged to share ideas. Internal and external collaboration is a big part of our success.”

Adam adds, “I like the diversity of what we do as a company. We are real estate developers, materials producers, growers of crops, land managers, and conservators of environmental issues. We are all of those things, and we are very purposeful about how we execute our business. If there is an opportunity to do something beneficial for the area where we live, work, and play, we will be sure to take a good look at it.”

The Garcia Companies joined TowneBank when it opened and has been a loyal member for more than 25 years. “What TowneBank has been able to do so well is put people in place who respect relationships. And Towne does it better than any other business in the area, not just banks,” Adam says. “Recently we closed a large transaction that we’ve been working on for a long time. Other banks tried to get that business, but we stayed with Towne because they make everything so easy – from banking and loans to insurance and bonding.”

Merrick McCabe, senior vice president and commercial banker, is the company’s banker. “Merrick and I have collaborated on many interesting challenges. She always has great input and ideas. We forge a solution because we are partners,” Andrea says. At Towne Insurance, The Garcia Companies works closely with Mark Horton, senior vice president and risk advisor.

For more information and to see what exciting new projects are underway, visit GrowGarcia.com.