Charlotte Cates Castro
Senior Compliance Associate
Email: Charlotte.Castro@GarciaHamiltonAssociates.com
Phone: 713.853.2320
Charlotte Castro received a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Georgia in 2013 and a M.A. in Communication from the University of Arkansas in 2021. Charlotte’s Master’s Thesis won the National Communication Association’s Outstanding Rhetorical Master’s Thesis award, which recognizes three M.A. theses each year for quality research and contribution to the field of communication.
Before joining Garcia Hamilton & Associates, Charlotte worked on sustainable system development, strategic planning, research, and data analysis in both the public and private sector. Throughout a seven-year period, Charlotte held several positions that handled confidential and protected information in a regulatory environment including work as a Verification Specialist in the Financial Aid Office at the University of Arkansas, a Program Coordinator at a 501(c)(3) in Sacramento, California, and a Program Assistant with 4/H & Youth Military Programs at the University of Georgia.
Notably, Charlotte supported seven Financial Aid Advisors at the University of Arkansas to ensure the verification of student and parent information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) followed federal guidelines. Charlotte verified FAFSA information for over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students annually. Additionally, at the University of Georgia, Charlotte supported logistical and programmatic coordination of military youth-development programs between the Department of Defense (DOD), 4-H, and the University of Georgia. Charlotte's responsibilities included the screening and management of over 160 military-affiliated volunteers who supported state and national youth leadership opportunities for over 600 youths annually.
Charlotte moved to Houston in 2021, and joined the Firm in June of 2022 as a Marketing Associate, having most recently worked as a Digital Communication and Marketing Specialist at Rice University. In January 2023, Charlotte became a member of the compliance team and led the Firm in conducting a second mock SEC Audit. Additionally, Charlotte worked closely with the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to update the Compliance Manual and other compliance policies. As a result of this performance, Charlotte was promoted to Senior Compliance Associate July 2023. Charlotte's primary role is to work closely with the Chief Compliance Officer on the Firm’s compliance program as well as with the Strategist on the Firm’s policies and procedures and signatory reporting.
In addition to relaxing at home, listening to records, and exploring Houston with family, Charlotte enjoys mentoring LGBTQ+ youth in the Houston area as well as supporting young people in active recovery.
GH&A has received numerous industry recognitions including 2019 Fixed Income Manager of the Year, 2018 Fixed Income Manager of the Year, and 2010 Core Fixed Income Manager of the Year by Emerging Manager Monthly. The Firm most recently received Pensions & Investments’ Best Places to Work in Money Management for the sixth year (2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016). In 2022, Houston Business Journal recognized GH&A as an Outstanding Diverse Organization within their 2022 Diversity in Business Awards. Other awards include 2014 Fixed Income Investment Grade Manager of the Year, 2015 Intermediate-Term Fixed Income Manager of the Year, and 2016 Intermediate-Term Fixed Income Manager of the Year by Institutional Investor, as well as Fundmap’s 2018 U.S. Fixed Income Manager of the Year.
Each third-party award/ranking about Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P. (GH&A) or its representatives was given based upon various criteria and methodologies. GH&A paid no fee to be considered for awards/rankings, and they may not be representative of actual client experiences. Go to www.garciahamiltonassociates.com/awards for additional information on each award. Top down, left right: P&I Best Places: based on Firm info as of June 30 of award year; awarded in December. HBJ DIB: based on previous year (May to May); awarded in December. HBJ BPlaces: awarded October 2018; based on previous calendar year. EMM: based on returns as of Dec 31 of award year; awarded in April. Institutional Investor: based on returns as of Dec 31 of award year; awarded in May.
