Casto Maldonado

Life Time Achievement Award

Casto Maldonado became President & CEO of FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development, Inc. on February 1, 1994. Prior to his selection by the Board of Trustees, he had served as FOCUS' Executive Director in 1975, a Board Member from 1990-1992 and a consultant in October 1993. Mr. Maldonado came to FOCUS with 17 years of experience in the Public Affairs Department of Prudential Insurance Company in Newark, New Jersey. There, he served as a Community Relations Consultant. His major responsibility was to strengthen relations with New Jersey's Hispanic community. Mr. Maldonado's work at Prudential was not limited to Hispanic issues. He worked with organizations throughout the non-profit spectrum, coordinated the company's in-kind contributions program, headed Prudential's volunteerism program.

Mr. Maldonado's thirty-four years of experience have included the following positions and career highlights:

Founded Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, the first and only monthly publication addressing the concerns of Hispanics in higher education throughout the nation.
Formed the first Hispanic Advisory Council for former Governor Thomas Kean, who named him his chairman. Mr. Maldonado's report was distributed to members of the Cabinet and the Legislature.
One of the founders, Deputy Director and, later, Chairman of the Board of the Puerto Rican Congress of New Jersey.
Recipient of the 2005 Essex County Lifetime Achievement Award.

Casto Maldonado holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Inter American University and a Master's degree in Law and Social Justice from its School of Law. Essex County College awarded him an Honorary Doctoral degree in Humane Letters, in recognition of his exemplary record of public service and relentless efforts to uplift the human spirit.