UNIONDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 19, 2025 / Marquis Who's Who recognizes Ismael Castillo for expertise in manufacturing industries and business development. Celebrated as a Top Professional, Mr. Castillo hails from more than 26 years of professional experience in the footwear, apparel, and textile industries. While he enjoys exploring various businesses to gain insights into the entire supply chain, he currently serves as the director of business development for PROPPER International, a manufacturer of high-quality tactical gear and apparel. In this role, he helps establish channels for developing products for the company, as well as collaborating with multiple USA government agencies, fostering relationships, and seeking new contracts for additional uniforms to produce at PROPPER International.
Educational Background
After graduating from high school with a degree in electronics and electricity, Mr. Castillo earned his major in industrial engineering from the Universidad de San Pedro Sula. He then began working in factories as a member of the maintenance department, where he repaired sewing machines and handled electrical and electronic components. Thanks to his extensive knowledge of business, he advanced from maintenance to management and operations, which he further developed using the income he earned during his time in the maintenance department.
Mr. Castillo also studied quality management at the Aden Business School and is currently pursuing a master's degree in project management from EUNCET.
From the Bottom to the Top
Some of Mr. Castillo's earlier professional roles include serving as a cutting manager at Sara Lee from 2003 to 2008, followed by his tenure at Hanesbrands Inc., where he held the positions of operations manager from 2008 to 2009 and textiles and cutting manager from 2009 to 2011. He then seized an opportunity to shift industries from textiles to footwear, working for Timberland at VF Corp., where he spent nearly 14 years, working and living in four different countries: Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong and Panama. Before taking a brief career break, he transitioned to Workwear Outfitters.
Before joining Propper International, Mr. Castillo held a leadership role at Workwear Outfitters, a company formed in 2021 following the divestiture of certain assets by VF Corp., the parent company of well-known brands such as The North Face and Vans. At Workwear Outfitters, Mr. Castillo served as the director of quality management, overseeing the quality management team. He was in charge of the Americas, specifically while working in Panama, where he oversaw the quality processes to ensure the quality of products and managed the review process for products upon arrival at the distribution center.
A Professional Break
At the end of 2023, Mr. Castillo decided to dedicate more time to supporting his sons during their battle with cancer. He and his wife invested more resources in the care of their children, with both sons successfully completing their treatment and now working to rebuild their lives. During this challenging personal time, he was able to support his family without a formal income and establish his own consulting business in the US, thanks to his strong financial organization skills. He began to reconnect with contacts in his industry as his sons' health improved, returning to full-time work in January 2025.
Building on His Career Through Achievements
While Mr. Castillo has received numerous recognitions and awards throughout his career, his most notable achievement was his work in Haiti, which transformed operations at Timberland and had a significant impact on the local population. During this work experience, he implemented lean manufacturing tools and continuous improvement activities, collaborating closely with operators to identify opportunities for enhancement. By encouraging better communication and streamlining processes, this factory served as an example for others in the area who wanted to replicate Mr. Castillo's initiatives.
Looking to the future, Mr. Castillo aims to grow the new department he is responsible for over the next five years, as well as build a strong community within the area he currently leads. His long-term goal is to grow his consulting firm in a way that leverages his more than 26 years of experience and the relationships he has built throughout his career. Not only does he want to create a successful company, but he also hopes to build a network of engineers and technicians who can collaborate with him to enhance service quality and product standards, just as he has successfully done throughout his professional career with others.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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SOURCE: Marquis Who's Who
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