Michael Castillo, CFP®, CLU

I love what we do at Landmark Financial Services. Every day is a new opportunity to change people’s lives, sometimes for generations to come. Growing up in Texas, I didn’t know what I was going to be when I grew up…but I hoped it had something to do with the outdoors, hunting and fishing. If you had told me then that I would be in the financial services business, I would have laughed in your face! 

Upon graduating from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, I set off to fulfill my dream of becoming a professional bass tournament fisherman. I saw glory in my fishing future, upon the stage with a huge bag of fish to win the Bass masters Classic. Sponsors would be knocking down my door. Then I woke up! See, it turns out that a mediocre fisherman cannot make a living on the pro tour. So, my bride to be and I made a decision that would affect our lives forever. Driving down the road one day and discussing where we were going to move, a car passed by with a Vermont license plate. We decided Vermont sounded great, and we set off on a grand adventure.

Upon arriving in Vermont, we found a nice little farmhouse to rent in South Burlington with a view of Shelburne pond. Again, our new landlord did not accept good looks for payment, so I needed a paying job!

The only people who called me for interviews were insurance and financial service companies. I just assumed my extensive resume and educational experience uniquely qualified me for a career in finance and I was a highly desirable commodity. Sadly, I learned that it was because they don’t pay you money! My first meeting was with Todd Maietta of New England Financial, and upon asking what this job entailed; he responded “selling life insurance”.

Today, almost 15 years later I operate Landmark Financial Services with my long time business partner, Michael Donnelly. I have worked with hundreds, maybe thousands of clients in my career, and have learned what works and what doesn’t. I have seen the good, bad, and ugly, and I am uniquely positioned to provide the best advice and counsel to my clients to help them take control of their financial lives.

Michael Castillo is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc. and offers securities in the following states: AZ, ME, NH, NY, NC, RI, VT. Michael Castillo is insurance licensed in the following states: Vermont and New York.

My family now consists of myself, my amazing wife, Jill, and our two gifts from God, Tanner and Cameron. We have built a life for ourselves, while building better lives for those whom we come in contact with. It truly is a blessed life.

I am so excited for what the future holds. Although I am no professional bass fisherman, you can bet you will find me somewhere with a fly rod, bow, or shotgun in my hands. I hope we get the opportunity to get to know one another in the near future.

CFP^® and Certified Financial Planner^TM are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.