	Costello was recruited to become the first paid staff to lead the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) in 1979, when it was decided to have a full-time president instead of volunteers. He was chosen because he had previously worked for the CAHA on contract work, and had a legal background. He succeeded Gord Renwick as CAHA president. When he originally accepted the job, he understood it to be a five-year commitment, but that evolved into a lifetime career.