Julián Castro

Dean’s Distinguished Fellow and Fellow of the Dávila Chair in International Trade Policy, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas

Julián Castro is the Dean’s Distinguished Fellow and Fellow of the Dávila Chair in International Trade Policy at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. Previously, he served as the 16th U. S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2017, and mayor of San Antonio from 2009 to 2014.

Mr. Castro, a native Texan born and raised in San Antonio, began his public service career in 2001, becoming San Antonio’s youngest councilman at the time. He was elected to mayor in 2009 and re-elected in 2011 and 2013. During his tenure as mayor, Mr. Castro focused on attracting well-paying jobs in 21st century industries to San Antonio and expanding education opportunities across the city.

At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Mr. Castro launched into the national arena with his keynote address – the first by a Latino. Two years later, he accepted President Obama's offer of the HUD secretary position. Mr. Castro is currently working on a memoir to be published this fall.