Houston City Council District H

District H

Council Member Mario Castillo

Mario Castillo, a dedicated public servant and proud native Houstonian, is now set to bring his passion for community service to the forefront as the Council Member for District H. Born and raised in the heart of District H, Mario's roots run deep, with a family history steeped in community involvement.

Mario's grandfather, an immigrant to the United States, laid the foundation for a strong family legacy by establishing Castillo's Realty, a small business that thrived for 47 years in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood.

Mario is a graduate of the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Mario continued his academic pursuits at Texas A&M University, earning a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a master's degree in Public Health. As a proud Aggie, Mario's academic background laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in public service.

Mario embarked on his career with a commitment to improving the lives of others. His career in public health started with his role organizing communities to facilitate health insurance enrollment through the Affordable Care Act. In 2016, he assumed the role of District H Chief of Staff, gaining valuable insights into the intricacies of local government and firsthand experience of the challenges faced by residents throughout District H. Mario's dedication to public health led him to the Houston Health Department, where he worked on translating complex health data into actionable public health information for communities citywide. Currently, Mario serves as the Executive Director of Your Houston, a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all Houstonians.

Service to the community is a core value for Mario. His volunteer work includes serving on the board of the MD Anderson YMCA and the Houston Police Department Training Advisory Board. Previously, he played a key role on the Hardy/Near Northside TIRZ board, expanding the zone to address blight and long-standing infrastructure issues. Mario's contributions to the Houston Land Bank facilitated the creation of vital single-family workforce housing projects in District H. His commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is evident in his role on the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus Board, where he served as Board Chair and Fundraising Chair, earning recognition as the Larry Banagaris Leadership Team Member of the Year in 2022.

As Mario takes on the role of District H Council Member, his deep ties to the community, combined with a wealth of experience and a proven track record of service, position him as a dedicated advocate poised to make lasting positive changes for the residents of District H.