2022 Notable Military Veterans

Military branch: Marines

Rank: Lieutenant colonel

Much of Thomas Castriota’s life has been defined by two things — the U.S. Marine Corps and the automotive industry. And he has made sure to give back to both.

Castriota, dealer principal at Castriota Chevrolet in Hudson, Fla., enlisted in the Marines in 1975 and graduated from Officer Candidates School soon after.

In 1978, he was deployed alongside NATO forces in the Mediterranean, which took him to Italy, Turkey and Lebanon. After returning to the States, he entered the Marine Corps Reserve, holding numerous leadership positions at installations nationwide.

After looking for a store to buy across the eastern half of the country, Castriota and his wife bought what is now Castriota Chevrolet in the Tampa area. His decision to buy a dealership was influenced by his father, also a Chevrolet dealer.

First retired from the military in 2001, Castriota volunteered again in 2006 in the aftermath of 9/11. He served in Iraq at 53 years old, training Iraqi soldiers and police and working directly under then-Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey as his briefer. He also assisted the Iraq government in establishing the Iraqi National Operational Command Center.

Castriota considers the lessons he learned in military leadership positions essential for the success he’s had in the automotive industry.

“If you’re a good senior staff NCO or a good officer, part of it is that you take care of your troops,” he said. “As a car dealer, whether you have one store or multiple stores, the culture is that you take care of your employees.

“If you take care of them, they’ll take care of your customers.”

Castriota has also taken those lessons to the Florida Automobile Dealers Association and National Automobile Dealers Association. He serves as the Florida representative for NADA, as well as national secretary.

Today, Castriota gives back to the veteran community through his involvement with the Mighty Oaks Foundation, the Marine Corps League and other nonprofit organizations. 

“One of the first things that you learn is officers eat last," Castriota said. "And I carry that today."

— Drew Goretzka