1. HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PE F 0 MING ARTS
February 9, 2004
To Whom It May Concern:
I am pleased to recommend Joseph 1. Costello to you as an excellent executive who, in
my opinion, can effectively fill any position for which you may consider him. We have
known and worked with Joe in two different capacities over the past seven years. Initially
he served as Pre-construction Project Manager for Century Development on the $95
million Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Several months ago he returned to the
project representing Swinerton Builders during the final closeout/warranty period. In
both endeavors, he was very professional and a pleasure to work with.
This project has been extremely complicated with difficult political concerns, challenging
personalities and a very complicated set of architectural and engineering issues. Had Joe
been involved during the actual construction phase, we know that we would have been
able to avoid many construction and closeout related issues. He is intelligent, honest and
forthright, with an excellent understanding of financial issues and the bottom line. He
also has an ability to logically sort through convoluted and confusing design and
construction details. His analyses were almost always more accurate than those of our
cost consultants.
Perhaps Joe's most valued trait among the Foundation staff is his open and honest
communication and willingness to involve them in the decision making process. The
Foundation's Board of Directors also recognizes his contributions to the project. Marc
Shapiro, former Vice Chair of JPMorganChase International and Chair of the Foundation
Board, and Gerald Bennett, President and CEO of Total Safety and Chair of the
Foundation's Building Committee, both learned to appreciate the qualities and talents that
he brought to bear on very difficult tasks in very difficult situations.
When Joe returned as the project completion executive, the closeout function had been
ignored for a year. In very short order, with very little assistance from others, he managed
to get the cooperation of subcontractors, suppliers and consultants to complete the Hobby
Center project by addressing and resolving their issues.
In summary, Joe is an excellent executive, a good person, and respected among his peers.
Please feel free to call me if you have any questions about his abilities.
Bud Franks
President and CEO