Gabe Castillo’s Post

2022 tossed me a curve ball and it changed my priorities in my personal and professional life. When my mom passed away earlier this year, it had a profound impact on me, especially when I started reading her personal papers and attending events honoring her work from various non-profit groups, that she either supported or help establish. A month ago, I made a hard choice to leave HomeStreet Bank to focus on something that is dear to me. I joined Beneficial State Bank (BSB). BSB is a B-Corp financial institution and a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution). Their major focus and clientele are businesses that aligned with our mission – which is social justice, economic sustainability, and environmental resilience. Helping non-profit organizations, LMI (low moderate income) and under served communities and minority owned businesses grow, get loans, get capital, and finance their causes. I will be working mostly from home and occasionally go into the branch (near Seattle U) to work or meet clients. B Corp Certification demonstrates a company's entire social and environmental impact. (bcorporation.net) Mission Lending — Beneficial State Impact CDFI Certification | Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (cdfifund.gov) 2021 Impact Report — Beneficial State Impact

Completed my 24th STP (Seattle to Portland) this past weekend with my Gruppetto Cycling teammates and other “cycling cousins”.  Already looking forward to the 2023 STP and riding my 25th. Thank you, Cascade Bicycle Club, for getting this PNW tradition going again after a 2-year Covid hiatuses.  #cascadebicycleclub

Seattle to Portland (STP) is scheduled for the weekend of July 16th and 17th.  If you are interested in riding this Pacific Northwest classic, you are in luck. I was able to secure 10 STP discount code that will save you $35 off the registration price (thank you Cascade Bicycle Club!). For more information about STP, here is the link. https://lnkd.in/dFW4XFFn I’ll be riding my 24th STP and hope to see you out there.  Message me if you want a discount code. Cheers!

I’m excited to announce that on April 11th, I rejoined HomeStreet Bank as the VP, Branch Manager of the Phinney Ridge Branch located in the Greenwood neighborhood.   After four years away, I am incredibly happy to return to such a fantastic financial organization that partners with neighborhoods, non-profits and businesses to help enrich lives and build lasting communities. Rejoining a financial institution that is created with a culture by design rather than a culture by default.   I look forward to partnering with non-profit organizations, engaging communities and connecting with businesses.

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as VP, Branch Manager at HomeStreet Bank!

Did you know that e-bikes and STP go together?   If you own an e-bike and you’re thinking about riding STP (Seattle to Portland), check out the article written by Paul Tolme of Cascade Bicycle Club. After being postponed the past two years, Cascade Bicycle Club, under the leadership of Executive Director, Lee Lambert, is going full speed ahead in hosting the 2022 Kaiser Permanente STP, presented by Alaska Airlines for the weekend of July 16th and 17th. https://lnkd.in/g5q2emMQ

Did you know that e-bikes and STP go together?   If you own an e-bike and you’re thinking about riding STP (Seattle to Portland), check out the article written by Paul Tolme of Cascade Bicycle Club. After being postponed the past two years, Cascade Bicycle Club, under the leadership of Executive Director, Lee Lambert, is going full speed ahead in hosting the 2022 Kaiser Permanente STP, presented by Alaska Airlines for the weekend of July 16th and 17th. https://lnkd.in/g5q2emMQ

As a cyclist and a non-profit advocate, this is great news. I received news today that I was newly elected to the board of the Cascade Bicycle Club. It’s been an exciting path since 1996 when I joined CBC just to learn more about STP (Seattle to Portland) and how to prepare for the ride. Back in 1996, I had no idea what Cascade was about or what they did for the cycling community, except to put on bike rides. Now I get to help CBC get back to pre-pandemic activities, help grow CBC to be more inclusive and support their mission to have a safe and healthy future where bicycles bring people together, eliminate inequity and create thriving communities. Plus, maybe now I get a choice of STP numbers, like #24 this year?! Wahoo!

For the past 10 years, my branches have decided to give back to our communities by trying to help those most in need. Creating over 200 “homeless kits” over the years, to bring some joy and comfort to our neighbors. Thank you HomeStreet Bank - Green Lake Branch, Verity CU – Wallingford Branch and Pacific Premier Bank – Lynnwood branch. Be Kind.