Personnel note: Giovanni Castro snags government affairs gig at Amazon

Giovanni Castro is joining Amazon as its State & Local Public Policy Manager for Florida and other southeastern states.

Castro comes to Amazon from Uber, where he worked as the Public Policy & Communications Manager for the U.S. South Region, covering Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee. At Amazon, his portfolio will include Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Puerto Rico in addition to the Sunshine State.

Previously, Castro worked in government affairs for Verizon. Before entering the private sector, Castro built a sizable résumé in the public sector.

Most recently, Castro worked as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, where he was responsible for managing strategic partnerships, policy, and operations for the Mayor’s office. His most notable initiatives include spearheading the children’s savings account and rental assistance for senior citizens across the city. Castro also worked as a Senior Aide to then-Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera.

Castro earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on in international business from Florida International University (FIU). He is a certified scholar in affordable housing from the University of Miami, an alumnus of the Leadership Florida program, and a member of FIU’s Order of the Torch, the university’s highest honorary distinction.

Castro was featured in INFLUENCE Magazine’s 30 under 30 for Florida Politics. He is also a recipient of the MAVPAC Future 40 award, The News Service of Florida’s 2023 Florida Forty Under 40 and Florida International University’s Top 5 Under 35 Award.

He is currently the Co-Chairman of MAVPAC’s Miami Chapter, Co-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 YMCA of Allapattah, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, WOW Center of Miami and Florida International University’s President’s Council.