Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office executive joins prestigious 50-member leadership development program
TAMPA, Fla., July 24, 2026 – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office (HCTC) is proud to announce that Chief Deputy Tax Collector Jennifer Castro has been selected to join the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Leadership Tampa Class of 2027. Castro is one of just 50 individuals chosen from hundreds of applicants for the 56th class of this highly regarded program, presented in partnership with the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Leadership Tampa is the nation’s third-oldest leadership program of its kind, founded in 1970, and has spent more than five decades cultivating influential leaders and strengthening community ties across the Tampa Bay region. The Class of 2027 will be led by Dr. Shadel Hamilton, President of Ultimate Medical Academy’s Clearwater Campus, and Vice Chair Gina Dew, Project Director at HNTB.
As Chief Deputy Tax Collector, 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 one million customers annually at ten 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,” said Tax Collector Nancy Millan. “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.”
“I am honored to be selected as part of the Leadership Tampa Class of 2027,” said Castro. “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.”
Castro brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in government administration, human resources, and operations to her role. Since joining HCTC 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 – Doug Belden and Nancy Millan – before rising to her current position in 2021. Her tenure has included leading the Tax Collector’s 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.
Castro is a graduate of Tampa Catholic High School and a first-generation graduate student, holding a Master of Science in Human Resources Development from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida. She is a Certified Florida Collector Assistant and serves on the Visit Tampa Bay Advisory Board.
Leadership Tampa participants join a network of local leaders spanning more than 50 years of program alumni, including graduates who have gone on to serve at organizations such as U.S. Space Command, PODS, Quest Corporation of America, and the Detroit Tigers.