Driving Growth with Integrity and Collaboration
Director of Finance
RKB Facility Solutions
In today’s dynamic business landscape, leaders like Tracy Castello are redefining financial success while driving innovation and strategic growth. With over two decades of experience, Tracy Castello is the Director of Finance at RKB Facility Solutions, redefining success with the power of adaptability, strategic thinking, and operational excellence.
Starting her journey at Clean Air Testing Labs, Inc., Tracy built a foundation in accounting and operational management. Her tenure at Sleepy’s saw her managing logistics for over 650 stores across 11 states, a role that honed her ability to handle complex operations with efficiency. She deepened her project management and financial strategy expertise at Front Street Facility Solutions, Motor City Maintenance, and AP Facilities. These experiences set the stage for her impactful tenure at RKB Facility Solutions, where she has risen to lead as Director of Finance.
In an exclusive interview with TradeFlock, she shared her journey of navigating the evolving finance landscape and offered insights on what it takes to succeed as a modern finance leader.
Early in my career, I got the best learning that leadership starts with respecting others. I learned this firsthand when I felt unheard in my role—it was a humbling experience that taught me to truly listen, not just hear. I treat everyone, from the CEO to our hourly employees, with equal respect because, as Maya Angelou said,
Deeply inspired by this philosophy, I actively engage with my team, valuing their perspectives, fostering meaningful discussions, and finding solutions that align with our shared goals while upholding the company’s integrity.
Finance works best when it’s part of the journey, not just the destination. By staying involved with operations from the outset, I’ve found we can seamlessly align financial goals with project plans. Collaborating early ensures clear expectations on payments and timelines, keeping everyone aligned and driving smoother outcomes for both teams and clients.
Change doesn’t happen in isolation; it creates ripples, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing in facilities finance. As clients shift from boutique locations to big-box models, their net terms with distribution teams change too. These adjustments trickle down, affecting payment volumes and frequencies. Navigating this requires staying agile and proactive to keep finances steady amid the evolving landscape.
Personally, success means achieving my goals without ever compromising my integrity—it’s about staying true to who I am. Professionally, it’s a win when our clients are happy, tasks are accomplished with excellence, the company is profitable, and everyone—clients, vendors, and employees—feels satisfied with the outcome.
The pandemic taught us one thing: adaptability is survival. In facilities management, we saw budgets stretched thin, especially in retail, food, and entertainment. Payment terms grew longer, and finance had to evolve quickly. I learned that to maintain trust and partnerships, we needed to be flexible and prioritise collaboration over rigid expectations. Looking ahead, I see finance leaders embracing agility, leveraging tech for smarter payment systems, and focusing on long-term resilience. Flexibility isn’t just a trend—it’s the foundation for sustainable growth in our industry.
They say true leadership comes from experience, and for me, it’s been about “turning every challenge into a stepping stone.” Starting as a coordinator 25 years ago, I handled everything from late-night emergencies to booking urgent calls. Those experiences didn’t just teach me the operations—they gave me insight into the industry’s heartbeat. Today, that foundation enables me to navigate financial challenges with empathy, communicate effectively, and negotiate solutions that respect every stakeholder’s needs. It’s this blend of experience and understanding that drives my success as a finance leader.
I believe that risk management is about precision and teamwork. In our finance function, it’s a collaborative effort with our insurance and vendor relations teams to ensure every vendor in our network meets our standards and those of our clients and their tenants. This comprehensive approach allows us to proactively address risks, safeguarding our operations and relationships in an ever-changing business landscape.
