Biography

Stephen Costello is an engineer with a background in flood control and drainage.

With a degree in civil engineering from the University of New York at Buffalo, Stephen's first job out of college was working as a civilian with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Galveston.  It was with the Corps that Stephen discovered his interest in storm water management and flooding issues. After leaving his job with the government and taking an engineering position in the private sector, he obtained his MBA from the University of Houston at Clear Lake City.

From his authority on flooding and storm water management to his work as an expert witness for Harris County and TxDOT on drainage related issues, Stephen has the reputation for being an innovative and insightful leader. His depth of experience has been sought out by governmental agencies including large and small municipalities, county and state governments.  In addition, Stephen has helped to write and re-write criteria manuals for the Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County and the City of Houston.

Stephen has also served as chair and board member of Memorial Park Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the natural habitat and historical significance of Memorial Park.  Stephen's dedication for green space came from his love of being outdoors. An avid runner and tri-athlete, Stephen has successfully completed 17 marathons and 6 Ironman triathlons.

After dedicating over 30 years of service to his field and building a successful engineering firm, Stephen felt it was ready to give back to the community.  Into his first term on City Council, Stephen is focused on addressing our City’s flooding and drainage issues, assisting the police and fire department so that they can better serve our neighborhoods and supporting green-oriented policies.

Stephen is also affiliated with several community organizations:

Stephen and his wife Debra, reside in North Montrose with their cat, Ariel, and golden retriever, Holly.  Their elder son, Stephen, resides in San Antonio with his wife, Mina, and their first grandchild, Eliana.  Their younger son, Christopher, lives in Houston and attends the University of Houston where he is seeking a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.