Todd Anglin: Building Community Through Problem Solving
Todd Anglin is a seasoned insurance and financial services professional in Castro Valley. With a strong retail and business leadership background, he has built a reputation as a dedicated community advocate and strategic thinker.
You’ll often see him rushing around before, during, and after large-scale events like the Fall Festival, the Light Parade, and various Chamber of Commerce mixers, introducing himself to neighbors and visitors, and ensuring things run smoothly. Like other people in town who are building community here, Todd has served on multiple boards, which reflects his deep commitment to community involvement.
Anglin spoke with the Castro Valley Forum about his path, the importance of creating community, finding solutions rather than dwelling on obstacles, and problem-solving in business and community service.
“The big thing for me is focusing on community, schools, and local business. If it impacts me, my family, and our community, I like helping them. I like watching them grow. If I have anything to offer, I really don't mind volunteering my time,” Anglin told the Forum.
Originally from Southern California, Todd spent a decade growing up in Southeast Asia. There he gained a unique perspective on the relationship between economic disparity and the importance of community. His early career took him through various leadership roles in retail, including managing multiple East Bay RadioShack stores. Todd returned to the Bay Area in 2010 to lead a pilot program for Target Mobile, successfully bringing Apple products into Target stores nationwide.
In 2011, Todd transitioned into the insurance industry, joining State Farm. Drawn to the company’s supportive culture and commitment to its agents, he embraced the opportunity to build a career centered around service and personal engagement. Since then, he has played an active role in shaping both the local business landscape and the broader community.
Anglin’s leadership roles include being President of the Castro Valley Rotary Club (2019-2020), serving on the Castro Valley Unified School District Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (2016-2023), , the Woodrow Woods School Board (2017-2024), and working with the Eden Area Chamber of Commerce since 2021. Additionally, he currently sits on the Fairview Municipal Advisory Council and the Castro Valley Education Foundation, among others. He is also an advisor for the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).
During his tenure on its board, the Chamber of Commerce has flourished, doubling its membership over the past two and a half years. Anglin’s strategic approach shifted the Chamber’s focus from seeking financial support to helping local businesses grow actively. Todd was instrumental in hiring Gary Slate as the Chamber’s Executive Director, leveraging his past experience working with Gary to strengthen the organization’s leadership.
Beyond his professional and civic engagements, Todd values community impact, starting with his own family. His wife, Thania, serves as PTA President at Canyon Middle School, which successfully raised $35,000 for school programs.
For Todd, Castro Valley is more than a place to live—it's a vibrant, interconnected community that thrives on collaboration and support. His dedication to fostering growth and positive change continues to make a lasting impact on the region.
“Housing for example,” Anglin said. “It's coming to this community of 66,000 people. We can either fight it or embrace it and try and figure out how to make it work best if we know it's going to happen anyway.”