TAMPA – Chief Deputy Tax Collector Jennifer Castro has been selected to join the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Leadership Tampa Class of 2027, according to the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office.
Castro is one of just 50 individuals chosen from hundreds of applicants for the 56th class of the program, presented in partnership with the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Castro serves as second-in-command and chief of staff to elected Tax Collector Nancy C. Millan, providing strategic and operational leadership across an organization of more than 400 employees serving over 1 million customers annually at 10 service locations. The office oversees a $54 million budget, close to $4 billion in annual collections, and more than 2.5 million annual transactions.
“I am so proud to see Jennifer selected for this incredible program,” Millan said. “Her leadership has been instrumental in helping our office reach new levels of service and innovation, and I know she will represent HCTC well. I’m honored to support her on this journey and excited to see the impact she will continue to make, both within our organization and across our community.”
Castro brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in government administration, human resources and operations to her role. Since joining the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office in 2001, she has held positions spanning customer service, executive administration, strategic planning, organizational development and human resources, having served under two elected tax collectors before rising to her current position in 2021.
Her tenure has included leading the office to Florida Governor’s Sterling Award recognition in 2008, 2011 and 2025, and helping expand public access to services through initiatives such as the opening of the MacDill Air Force Base satellite office, the Downtown Express Center, Student Saturdays and the office’s mobile services programs.
Leadership Tampa participants join a network of local leaders spanning more than 50 years of program alumni.
“I am honored to be selected as part of the Leadership Tampa Class of 2027,” Castro said. “I look forward to learning alongside such an accomplished group of leaders from across our region, broadening my perspective, and building relationships that will help me better serve the residents of Hillsborough County.”
In Good Company
Jennifer Castro is among 50 business leaders accepted into the Leadership Tampa Class of 2007. Here are a few more leaders:
- Cecile Bare, senior vice president at Private Relationship Manager at The Bank of Tampa
- Nellie Fidura, vice president of guest and member relations at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Lauren Watts, applications director at BayCare Health System
- Kim Northup Wright, president and CEO of Senior Connection Center Inc.
- Fred Hicks, CEO of The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County
- Taylor Johnston, president and CEO of USF Institute of Applied Engineering
Learn more at tampabaychamber.com.
