Giovanni R. Castro '13

Giovanni Castro is the US South Region State & Local Policy Manager for Amazon, responsible for Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Puerto Rico. Previously, he was the Public Policy & Communications Manager for the US South Region for Uber Technologies, covering Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee. Prior to joining Uber, he was the Manager for State and Local Government Affairs for Verizon in the State of Florida. Before joining Verizon, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. During his tenure at the City of Miami, Giovanni managed strategic partnerships, policy, and operations for the office of the mayor. He was instrumental in advancing the mayor’s priorities and agenda. Giovanni’s most notable initiatives include spearheading the children's savings account and rental assistance for senior citizens across the city. He was also selected by Harvard University Graduate School of Design to be part of the “Multiple Miamis” Studio Review. Previously, Giovanni worked as a Senior Aide to the Lt. Governor of Florida, Carlos Lopez-Cantera.

Before building a career in the fast-paced environment of political campaigns and serving as campaign manager and deputy manager for multiple elections, Giovanni earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from Florida International University. Giovanni is a certified scholar in affordable housing from the University of Miami, he is an alumnus of the Leadership Florida program, and a member of Florida International University's Order of the Torch, the university's highest honorary distinction. He was featured in Influence Magazine's 30 under 30 for Florida Politics, a recipient of the MAVPAC Future 40 award, The News Service of Florida's 2023 Florida Forty Under Forty and a recipient of Florida International University's Top 5 Under 35 Award. Giovanni is currently the Co-Chairman of the MAVPAC Miami Chapter, Vice-Chairman of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Associations PAC board, Chairman of the United Way of Miami-Dade's Public Policy Committee, Chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Committee, a board member for the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, WOW Center of Miami, Friends of the Underline and Florida International University's President's Council.