Mr. Rick Costello serves as Chief of Staff to Jessica S. Palatka, the Chief Human Capital Officer and Director of Human Resource Management at the Department of Commerce. In this role, he provides strategic support to Ms. Palatka in implementing human capital initiatives and civil service regulations.

As Chief of Staff, Mr. Costello manages communications for the CHCO's office, assists with decision-making, oversees program management, and helps implement key initiatives. He acts as a liaison between staff, executives, and senior leaders to ensure effective communication of objectives across departments.

Mr. Costello earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Boise State University in 2006. He has additional undergraduate coursework in Computer Information Systems from Boise State and MBA coursework from Jack Welch Management Institute. In 2014, he received a post-graduate certificate as a Certified Workers' Compensation Professional from Michigan State University.

His previous experience includes roles in Executive Resources, Workforce Relations, and Program Manager, Workers' Compensation at the Department of Commerce. Mr. Costello has also worked for the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. Additionally, he is a veteran who served in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Region 2 and at Headquarters Ninth Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces.