Bernadette Castro was born to Teresa and Bernard Castro, founders of Castro Convertibles, and worked in the family business, serving as President and CEO before the furniture division was sold in 1993.

Ms. Castro served as Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and State Historic Preservation Officer, from 1995 until 2006. Under her leadership, the agency launched innovative programs, including dozens of public-private partnerships, generated millions of dollars to help fund capital projects, and expanded the State Park system by 25%. In 2003, New York received the National Gold Medal State Park Award as the nation's best state park system.

In 2006, Governor Pataki appointed Ms. Castro to the Long Island State Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission. She received the Frederick Law Olmsted Award by the Olmsted Conservancy, the Governor's Parks and Preservation Award by Governor George E. Pataki, Audubon's Rachel Carson Award, and the Theodore Roosevelt Legacy of Conservation Award from Audubon New York, among numerous other awards and recognitions.

After leaving public office in 2006, Ms. Castro returned to her family real estate business. She also serves on the New York Weill Cornell Council of New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York and is as an active member of the Royal Dames for Cancer Research in Ocala, Florida.

For more information:

• New York Times article: King of Beaches Gets a New Title
• NY State Parks Office