FIYou: Frank Castro

Name: Frank Castro

Hometown: Homestead, Fla.

Job Title/Department: Project Manager, Division of IT

Campus: Modesto A. Maidique Campus

In a nutshell: I manage Web projects for the Enterprise Web Services team, ensuring projects are completed in a timely fashion and within budget constraints.

Number of years at FIU: 9+ years.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy participating in solutions that make the university’s Web presence, and FIU overall, look and feel like a better place. This university has come so far from when I myself was an undergraduate and to be a part of it as it enhances its virtual presence is a great feeling.

What do you think faculty/staff and students should know about your department?

They should know that we are here for them and are experts in what we do.  Oftentimes faculty/staff and students alike find themselves in need of a Web presence, but have no idea where to begin. We provide step-by-step direction and a clean look and feel because ultimately, your goals are our goals.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?

The Graham Center building. Besides the feeling of nostalgia I get when I walk through the food court, it amazes me how much it has grown and improved over the years.

If there is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU, what would it be?

The FIU today is not the same FIU of five years ago. It’s a bigger, better FIU, offering a lot more to the students and community than I ever thought possible. This place is growing and things are only getting better – and I can’t believe it is all because of Golden Panthers like me.

Family snapshot:

My wife Mariana is an FIU alumna with a degree in human resource management. She currently works as an HR Manager in a South Florida electronic retail chain. My daughter Carina is 2 ½ years old. She is rambunctious and driven, just like her daddy.

Word that best describes you: Frank.

First paying job: Pizza Hut cook.

Favorite TV show: “Family Guy.”

Your proudest accomplishment:

Making my then-infant, now-toddler daughter laugh for the first time.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?

I’m a DIY, Home Depot-on-the-weekend kind of guy, but I also like fishing, paintballing, catching the latest boxing or UFC match with my friends and spending time with my family.