The City of Commerce tapped TS Talent Solutions to assist in finding its next Finance Director. Following a 14-week recruitment process led by Executive Recruiter Christine Martin, the City welcomed Alvaro Castellon to the team.
Castellon brings more than 13 years of broad financial management experience in local government to his new role. Throughout his career, he has led the development and oversight of large and complex municipal budgets — most recently managing Garden Grove’s biennial budget — and has driven improvements in financial reporting, debt management and strategic planning. With a proven ability to implement best practices and leverage technology for more efficient operations, Castellon is recognized for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to long-term financial sustainability. His track record of success across agencies such as Santa Ana, Santa Fe Springs and Garden Grove positions him well to support the City of Commerce’s goals and financial priorities.
“We were looking for a technically qualified and driven candidate to join our team as Finance Director,” said City of Commerce City Manager Ernie Hernandez. “TS Talent Solutions covered all the bases, from designing attractive marketing materials to generating a strong pool of candidates. There is no doubt that TSTS knows how to find the perfect fit for any role.”
The custom-designed recruitment brochure highlighted information about the community, the finance department and the position, including a description of the ideal candidate. With the brochure and promotional social media posts, TSTS conducted direct outreach to find the right person for the role. Following an extensive screening and interview process, Commerce extended an offer to Castellon.
“The City of Commerce prioritizes investing in their city and its employees, and by showcasing that in our outreach efforts, we were able to generate a qualified candidate pool,” said Christine. “Alvaro is a great fit for the City and the department. It is rewarding to have been a partner in the recruitment.”
“I am incredibly grateful and honored to join the City of Commerce and I am looking forward to the many accomplishments we will achieve,” said Castellon. “My passion as a public servant comes through in the work I do and I am excited for this new chapter. The TS Talent Solutions team was a helpful resource, ready to assist me as needed throughout the process.”
About TS Talent Solutions
TS Talent Solutions is a California-based executive search and talent development organization focused on the local government sector. A division of Tripepi Smith, TS Talent Solutions leverages the expertise and digital acumen of its parent firm to deliver next-generation recruitment solutions for public agencies. The quest for talent never ends, but progress is made with TS Talent Solutions.
We’ve sourced talent for:
City of American Canyon, Town of Atherton, City of Bainbridge Island (WA), City of Bell, City of Commerce, City of Fairfield, City of Indian Wells, City of Indio, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Lomita, City of Manteca, City of Morro Bay, City of Needles, City of Palos Verdes Estates, City of Paramount, City of Pasco (WA), City of Rosemead, City of San Luis Obispo, City of Saratoga, City of Tracy, Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District, Humboldt County Association of Governments, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Ventura Council of Governments, West County Wastewater District
We’ve developed strategic plans for:
City of Bellflower, City of Carpinteria, City of Cerritos, City of Foster City, City of Hercules, City of Lomita, City of Westminster