Houston District H Council Member Mario Castillo has been appointed to the National League of Cities’ (NLC) new Global Engagement Advisory Committee, a national leadership role aimed at strengthening international partnerships and bringing fresh solutions to local challenges.
The committee includes a dozen leaders from across the United States and will develop NLC’s international engagement strategy over the next six months, set to launch at the 2025 NLC City Summit in Salt Lake City this November. Castillo is one of only two members from Texas (the other Texas member is Austin Mayor Kirk Watson), joining mayors and city officials from communities in Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, New Mexico, Minnesota, Illinois, Arkansas, and California.
The committee’s mission is to guide how local governments connect globally on issues such as public health, climate resilience, economic development, and infrastructure. Castillo said the role offers District H new opportunities to learn from cities around the world and bring back best practices that can spark innovation, strengthen small businesses, and prepare neighborhoods for global challenges.
NLC President and Athens, Ohio Mayor Steve Patterson called local governments “essential players” in tackling international issues, adding that cross-border collaboration allows leaders to have “a tangible impact on their own communities.”
For District H, Castillo’s appointment could mean expanded access to global partnerships, resources, and strategies that make the community more connected, resilient, and competitive.