
Michael Castillo, CFP®, CLU
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
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 PlannerTM 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.