The Canutillo Bond Accountability Committee elects officers

The Canutillo Bond Accountability Committee (CBAC) recently welcomed its new leadership, with Antonio (Tony) Castillo stepping in as chairman and Christian Lopez taking on the role of secretary. Community member Jesse Anchondo was elected as the committee’s vice chair with district parent Donna Sanchez voted in as vice secretary.

 

Both Castillo and Lopez bring a wealth of professional experience and deep ties to the Canutillo community, ensuring a strong future for the oversight and transparency efforts surrounding the district's bond projects.

 

Castillo is a lifelong resident of El Paso and a well-respected community member and attorney. He graduated from Montwood High School and the University of Texas at El Paso before earning his juris doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law and a master of laws in taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law.

 

For the past 16 years, Castillo has practiced law in the region, specializing in business, tax and healthcare. He currently serves as the general counsel for University Medical Center of El Paso, where he provides comprehensive legal support on a range of critical matters. 

 

With his background in law and public service, Castillo brings a keen eye for detail and a strong commitment to ensuring that bond funds are used effectively and responsibly. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding the committee as it monitors and reviews projects funded by the bond. 

 

As chair of the committee, Castillo says he aims to foster an environment of accountability and trust while working collaboratively with committee members, district officials and the community to ensure that the bond funds are managed efficiently and effectively, resulting in improvements that directly benefit Canutillo students and schools.

 

"As a parent and a member of this community, I am committed to ensuring that Canutillo ISD remains a place where all students have the resources they need to thrive,” Castillo said. “I joined this bond accountability committee to bring my experience in legal and financial oversight to bear. I aim to help the committee make sure that every dollar is spent wisely, transparently and in line with the promises made to the taxpayers.”

 

Lopez, also a dedicated community member and a proud fourth generation El Pasoan, husband and father to three children, graduated with a bachelor's degree in hospitality management from New Mexico State University in 2017 and obtained a master of public administration degree with an emphasis in public policy and management from UTEP in 2021. 

 

Lopez currently serves as a senior communications and public involvement consultant with WSP USA, an engineering firm that provides a range of strategic communications services for projects involving, but not limited to, transportation, federal programs, energy and water. He has over six years of experience in program/project management, strategic planning and community engagement in both the private and public sectors with organizations such as Paso del Norte Children's Development Center and the City of El Paso, as well as board leadership experience with the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) El Paso Chapter and Paso del Norte Center of Hope. 

 

Lopez will play a crucial role in maintaining clear and consistent communication between the committee and the public, ensuring residents remain informed about the progress and impact of bond-funded projects. His experience in communication and public involvement will help ensure that the CBAC remains transparent and accountable to the community. 

 

“As secretary for the CBAC, I intend to serve a vital role that ensures the integrity and transparency of the committee's proceedings,” Lopez said. “By meticulously documenting meetings and decisions, I hope to enable clear communication and accountability, ultimately fostering trust and ensuring that bond funds are effectively managed and utilized to benefit students and educational outcomes.”

 

Together, Castillo and Lopez will work alongside the rest of the CBAC to ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed wisely and that the projects they support provide lasting benefits to Canutillo ISD students and the broader community. Their leadership reflects the district's ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability in fulfilling the promises made to voters through bond measures.

 

To learn more about the Canutillo 2024 bond sign up and subscribe to updates at https://www.canutilloisd2024bond.com/.