From Governor Newsom
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 10, 2020) — Damascus Castellanos, 53, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board. Castellanos has been a business representative for Teamsters Local No. 495 since 2012. He was a business representative for Teamsters Local No. 630 from 2001 to 2012. Castellanos is a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Castellanos is a Democrat.
Castellanos is a board member of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation. According to the CTHF website, Castellanos has been a Teamster member for 30 years, including a Business Representative for the past 15 years. As the labor representative on the CTHF board, Damascus has seen the passion his members have for the racing industry, given many of them come from families steeped in California racing’s history. Their passion has been contagious, and Damascus now brings that passion over to the backstretch community. Damascus has a son and a daughter. He grew up in Pico Rivera, California where he continues to reside.