Tom Castro
Castro is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of El Dorado Capital, a Houston-based boutique investment firm, and a part-time Operating Partner of the Pinto America Growth Fund, LP, a private equity firm that focuses on Hispanic consumers. He serves as an advisor to senior executives of Wal-Mart Inc. and Nielsen Holdings plc.
Castro is recognized for his pioneering work in the broadcasting and marketing fields. He founded and managed six companies in the media, consumer Internet, marketing services, and energy export sectors. He has raised more than $350 million of capital for his businesses that have operated throughout the U.S. and in Latin America. With a partner, Castro bought his first radio station at the age of 25, making him the youngest radio station owner in the U.S. at the time. The last of the three radio companies he founded grew to be one of the largest privately held radio companies in the country.
Castro has been active in civic affairs nationally. He serves on numerous boards, including Teach for America, Spelman College, and Southern California Public Radio. He is an Advisory Trustee of the Environmental Defense Fund. Castro was previously on the boards of the Smithsonian Institute and Time Warner Cable.
Castro was awarded a scholarship to Harvard College and earned a B.A. in International Affairs. He was the first in his family to attend college.