TJ Costello, M.P.Aff.

TJ Costello is the founder and chief economist for Box Free Thinking and serves as an Economist with the Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.  His career has included important roles in strategic development on a local, regional, and international basis. He has served as the Director of Economic Development for the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council where he helped develop the Texas Greenbelt Coalition and offered comprehensive economic analysis to local governments and businesses. He has been appointed to local oversight boards, served as National Coordinator for the American Arbitration Association and managed international development projects. Costello founded Box Free Thinking in 2003 as a source of creative thought and economic analysis for individuals, governmental agencies, the legal community, and small businesses.

Costello is originally from the New York City area and holds a degree in "applied economics" from Ithaca College and received his MPAff from the LBJ School of Public Affairs in 2003 with a Graduate Portfolio in Dispute Resolution from the UT Law School. His Professional Report was entitled "Economic Trade-offs of Privacy Policy: Exploring the Interaction of Economics and Privacy" with portions of this report published in national e-journals. He is an award winning H.S. basketball coach, a long-time member of the rugby community, and has served as president of the LBJ School Austin Alumni Assn as well as the New Jersey Chapter of the Ithaca College Alumni Assn.

Recognized for his leadership as well as his economic research and strategic analysis, Mr. Costello has provided high level analysis to some of the most recognized businesses on a local, national and international basis. He has served in a leadership capacity in local governments and regional organizations. His list of accomplishments includes:

Education

Master of Public Affairs - LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin

Bachelor of Science - "Applied Economics" (Economics-Management) - Ithaca College

Graduate Portfolio in Dispute Resolution from the UT-Law School's Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution

Economic Analysis and Research

Economic analysis; strategic assessment; and comprehensive research for local, national and international organizations including: Ethan Allen Inc; HANWHA; NUCO2; American Arbitration Association; City of Hillsboro, TX; Hewlett Packard; Horizon Medical; Moster-Wynne; Magee and Magee Economic Consulting; BigBelly - Solar Rubbish Containers; Office of the Attorney General - Texas; Texas Workforce Investment Council - Office of the Governor; BiG Austin; Concordia University-Texas, Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Leadership and Community Engagement

Frequent Speaker on Leadership and Teamwork:

Adjunct Faculty Member - University of Phoenix; Concordia University-Texas

Local Office Manager (Concord, N.H.) - McCain for President 2008 (oversaw daily goals and over 40 volunteers)

Co-Chair of the 7th Annual Barbara Jordan National Forum on Public Policy (summary)

Coaching - including Assistant Women's Basketball Coach - Concordia University-Texas; Award winning High School Basketball Coach (NJ, TX); Youth Sports Coach (NJ)

Student athlete mentor - working to show HS student-athletes with the "You CAN be a college athlete" program. Includes lectures, seminars, and individual family sessions.

Service on Local Zoning and Community Affairs Boards (South Brunswick, NJ)

President of the LBJ School Austin Alumni Association

Other

Noted expert on mediation and mediation services (including work with American Arbitration Association)

Market Research and Basic Marketing Instructor at BiG AUSTIN

Member of the South Brunswick Township, NJ - Vision 2000 Taskforce

Bio from the Center for Ethical Leadership

Publications

Pre-litigation Mediation as a Privacy Policy: Exploring the Interaction of Economics and Privacy, Mediate.com, April 2004

"The Economic Trade-offs of Privacy: Exploring the Interaction of Economics and Privacy in the Formulation of Privacy Policy" The University of Texas at Austin, August 2003. (available through the University of Texas Library)

"Redefining the Texas Teacher Shortage: Key Issues in Retention and Recruitment of Quality Educators." Policy Briefing Paper - Texas State House of Representatives, Presented to Speaker Pete Laney's Office of Education Affairs, Dec. 2001. Co-Author

The Long-Bond Decision - Boondoggle or Smart Policy? (PDF), unpublished, (December, 2001)

Economic writings on the Box Free Thinking.org "Continuing Thoughts" page

On the Fun Side

Originally from New Rochelle, NY, through South Brunswick, NJ, currently resides in Austin, TX

As a youth and high school basketball coach, TJ took from Coach Carril, Coach Thompson and Coach Feeley's philosophies and implemented a style described by one player as "Trust me basketball." Named State Divisional Coach of the Year (2000)

Member in good standing with Princeton Athletic Club, UT Grad and Austin Huns Rugby Teams

Member of the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library Future Forum