Chris Castlen, the son of Joe Castlen of Stanley and Nancy Ward Castlen of Owensboro, is a lifelong resident of Kentucky.
Resourceful and self-reliant, Chris started leasing a tobacco base during his freshman year of high school. Along with his other jobs, this enabled him to pay for a significant amount of his first two years of college.
Chris joined the United States Marine Corps after his sophomore year of college. However, he returned to Western Kentucky University and completed his remaining years with the assistance of the GI Bill.
While in college and prior to his enlistment, he met his wife-to-be, Stacy Rhoads. After graduating, they married and have since been residents of Daviess County.
Chris began his career in law enforcement as a Deputy Jailer with the Daviess County Detention Center. He then served over 20 years with the Owensboro Police Department, where he retired in 2017 as a lieutenant. After his retirement, he worked in human resources at Owensboro Health. He left his HR position after taking office to devote all his business time to his commitment as County Commissioner.
Chris is a graduate of Owensboro Catholic High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 1996 and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in 2012, with both degrees from Western Kentucky University. He earned his Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia and graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2014.
Chris is an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Kentucky Law Enforcement Assistance Program as a Strike Team member, and the Marine Corps League. He is also an active member of his church board and other non-profit boards.
Chris and his wife Stacy have been married since 1996 and have three daughters, one of which is married and teaching middle school, and the other two are attending college.
