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.