Business graduates in print ads

Candy Castaldi ’80
Warwick, R.I.
Senior Vice President
Circulator Division TACO, Inc.

When Candy Castaldi became a student at CCRI she had aspirations to make a difference by studying to become a teacher. But Castaldi’s plans changed when one of her professors encouraged her to take courses in the college’s business program.

“It was rather unique at the time for women to get involved in the business industry, but I discovered I loved it,” she said, deciding to major in General Business and minor in Finance. A student-athlete, she played on the college’s volleyball, basketball and softball teams.

Today Castaldi is the senior vice president of TACO’s circulator division. She started her career at the company 18 years ago as a product planner and worked her way up the ranks. She is proud to be a part of a company that partners with her alma mater on education initiatives and emphasizes investment in its employees.

Castaldi serves as a CCRI Foundation trustee, a position she finds rewarding. “Knowledge is power, and CCRI offers so much to students. It’s affordable, they have campuses throughout the state and they have flexible hours.”

Steven Issa ’75
Cumberland, R.I.
Regional CEO
Managing Director, N.E. Commercial Lending
Sovereign Bank

CCRI is a family affair for Steven Issa. His wife and son are graduates. His brother, Dan, a state senator, his sister-in-law, brother-in-law and niece are alumni, and his niece and nephew are now attending the college.

“CCRI helped me fill the gap between high school and finding out what I wanted to do,” said Sovereign Bank’s regional CEO, who was raised in Central Falls. “It was an affordable way to start college.”

Issa, who has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry, was challenged by professors who demanded the best from their students. He took accounting courses five times per week and worked part time. The foundation he received at CCRI provided a solid base for continuing his education at Bryant University, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Issa is actively involved in the community, volunteering his time on organization boards and to help young people find direction for their future. Recently, he mentored a young man and helped him get a start in the investment banking industry with an internship.

“I’ve stayed grounded and connected to the community,” he said. “My priorities have not changed.”

Armeather Gibbs ’88
Providence, R.I.
Chief Operating Officer United Way of Rhode Island

Armeather Gibbs held various positions within the banking world but she really wanted to take the next step and turn a “job” into a career. Working and raising her two children, however, did not deter her from returning to college and she started taking classes at CCRI’s Liston Campus in Providence.

What she discovered was a love of learning and a renewed self-confidence that stemmed from an oral communications class. “I learned to put myself out there and to communicate clearly.”

Gibbs is most proud of her career accomplishments that directly help people. During her years in the banking industry and as Gov. Lincoln Almond’s director of community relations, she worked to be the voice for families and individuals regarding issues that were important to them. She segued from the corporate and public service worlds to the nonprofit one when she joined the United Way in 2000, but her goal has always been the same: to continue learning, and support to people who don’t have a voice and give them an opportunity to better themselves.

“Where I am right now wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for those formative years at CCRI,” said Gibbs. “Education gives you a sense of self-worth, confidence and discipline. Once you go down that road of learning you don’t stop. It opens up your world. CCRI is a really good place to begin that process.”

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