Bob Castro

About Bob Castro

Bob Castro has delivered winning results for both clients & employers globally, as corporate executive, government official, and consultant, including:>Fortune 500 companies, NGOs, and Trade Associations>Notable figures in the Sports and Entertainment industries>Elected officials >Federal contractors, and >Directly for the US GovernmentGame-changing competitive intelligence through market opinion research, communication & public relations strategies, lessons-learned/best-practices feedback (Lean/SixSigma principles), hands-on management: a toolset for Strategic Business Development & Organizational Transformation to address new markets, increase existing market share…translated to sales, votes, or dollars.An entrepreneur himself, Bob coaches executives, boards & senior government officials for RESULTS. Bob has participated in international trade negotiations & dispute settlements as both policymaker and advocate; building consensus across diverse audiences and constituencies; applying Diplomacy and Business Acumen to forge accord among federal, state, local, tribal & foreign governments, NGOs, private stakeholders, and the general public. Whether an infrastructure project, economic development program, policy negotiation, innovative idea, or new technology is on the line, Bob Castro’s strategic insight adds rare wisdom to the mix, increasing the likelihood of positive, sustainable results–and a “win-win”!Specialties: International experience across cultural, linguistic, legal/regulatory climates (conversational Spanish & Italian; limited French & Portuguese; beginning Arabic, Hebrew, Greek & Turkish)Executive Leadership & Organizational Management/TransformationMarket Opinion Research (surveys, focus groups, messaging feedback response)Innovation, Technology & Sustainable Development – energy, environment, transportation & infrastructure; translating engineering & design to the needs/vocabulary of end-users (e.g. LEED)

Experience

1. Roles Transition Advisor to Secretary & Usaid Obo Chief of Staff Award-winning Diplomatic Spouse

   U.S. Department Of State

   Feb 2004 — Present

   2019-present: Ready Reserve (Category 1), Foreign Service Family Reserve Corps2016-18: Special Transition Advisor to the Secretary & Senior Advisor to USAID Administrator\'s office:Agency Landing Team & Sherpa during Presidential Transition, assisted 3 cabinet members and 1 independent agency head through Senate confirmation; inter-agency re-design and management reform teams; outreach director Special Representative for Global Partnerships (S/GP).2016: Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA), Near East Region.2013: Tragen Award from DACOR (formerly Diplomatic & Consular Officers, Retired) as Diplomatic Spouse of the Year, worldwide.20••••07: Chief of Staff (rank-equivalent of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary) & Special Assistant, Overseas Buildings Operations:International real estate and construction for US Government. Coordinated activities of 5 principal offices, led task forces and inter-agency processes on behalf of OBO Director/COO (Assistant Secretary-rank) and Under Secretary of State for Managment (M). Provided leadership, policy guidance, and support for budget exceeding $1.4B annual appropriations for construction and real property asset management funds dedicated to over properties in 270 locations worldwide. In 2007, OBO had $5.7B work under management and real assets valued at $14.0B. Participated in Deputy Secretary\'s annual senior-level reviews of policy/budget/resource alignment as OBO and M-family representative.

Education

• Villa le Balze - Georgetown Univ. in Florence, Italy

  Italy, Renaissance Studies - interdisciplinary

  1985 — 1986

• Georgetown University

  Bachelor of Arts, History & Fine Arts

  1984 — 1989

Skills

• Focus Groups
• Strategic Communications
• Political Communication
• Ngos
• Business Development
• Political Science
• Fundraising
• Foreign Affairs
• Government
• Nonprofits
• International Relations
• Political Risk Analysis
• Market Research
• Political Consulting
• Strategy
• Corporate Communications
• Public Speaking
• Non-Profits
• Economic Development
• Public Relations
• Proposal Writing
• Media Relations
• Policy
• Economics
• International Development
• Linguistics
• Program Management
• Organizational Development
• Policy Analysis
• Speech Writing
• Politics
• Program Evaluation
• Public Affairs
• International Trade
• Crisis Management
• Public Diplomacy
• Public Policy
• Leadership
• Foreign Policy
• Spanish