Lubbock Chamber of Commerce announces 2019 Board Administration and Directors

by: News Release & Posted By Staff | newsweb@everythinglubbock.com

Posted: Jan 8, 2019 / 03:26 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2019 / 03:26 PM CST

The following is a news release from the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce:

The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce announced Abel Castro, FirstBank & Trust, as the Chairman of the 2019 Board of Directors.

Abel Castro is an Executive Vice President at First Bank & Trust, and has been there for nearly 18 years, now serving as its Senior Treasury Management Officer. He lived in San Antonio where he worked as a Bank Examiner for the Texas Banking Department and then as the Credit Officer at Broadway Bank. He then moved to Slaton, working at Citizens Bank (nka Centennial Bank) and earned the prestigious Man of the Year award in 2000, presented by the Slaton Chamber of Commerce for his volunteer work throughout the city.

Castro moved back to the Hub City in 2001 and has been involved with the Lubbock Chamber since 2004 and has served in many capacities including Director on its Board and Executive Committee, Treasurer, Vice Chairman of Membership, Chairman Elect and now Chairman. He also serves as a Director on the Community Foundation of West Texas Board (fka Lubbock Area Foundation) and also serves on their Investment Committee. He is also a Director on the Lubbock Victims Assistance Services Board, where he serves as Treasurer. Previous boards and committee appointments included the Lubbock Water Advisory Committee, Lubbock Methodist Hospital System Board, Independent Bankers Association of Texas Leadership Board, Lubbock Independent School District’s Foundation for Excellence, and The Lubbock Area United Way.

Chairman Castro’s focus as the 2019 Chairman will be continuing the success of the Chamber’s Diversity Summit which was initiated last year under the direction of then Chairman Cory Powell. His passion is education and as such plans to be a strong advocate for the Texas Tech University Veterinary School and the approval of a comprehensive Texas public education finance reform effort, believing that a strong educational system is paramount for the continued success of our kids and workforce development.

The 2019 executive committee welcomes:

Chairman of the Board: Abel Castro | FirstBank & Trust
Chairman-Elect: Gabe Vitela | One Guy from Italy – 50^th St.
Immediate Past Chairman: Cory Powell | TTU Mentor Tech – Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Treasurer: Dave Marcinkowski | Madera Residential
Secretary: Eddie McBride | Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
Vice Chairwoman – Business Advocacy: Dana Madison | Calvert Home Health Care
Vice Chairman – Chamber Services and Member Engagement: Casey Doyle | Casey Carpet One
Vice Chairwoman – Communications and Public Relations: Becky Palmer | Atmos Energy
Vice Chairwoman – Community Development: Sharon Hyde Bass | Volunteer Center of Lubbock
Vice Chairman – Programs, Services and Events: Chris Lonngren | Schlotzsky’s