John O. Costello is an Atlanta native and graduate of Georgia State University, where he received a B.S. in geology with an art minor, and the University of South Carolina, where he received his masters and Ph.D. degrees. John began his professional career with the Georgia Geological Survey (GGS) in 1973 and elped compile the 1976 State Geologic Map and mapped geology in the Georgia Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Valley and Ridge Provinces. John has also worked for the US EPA, several environmental consulting companies, and The Georgia Marble Company where he was Mineral Resources Director for six years. John is an Adjunct Professor of Geology at Georgia State University and the University of West Georgia where he has taught a field-oriented class on Georgia Geology. Since 2002, John has been with the GGS (now the Regulatory Support Program of EPD’s Watershed Protection Branch) where he conducts geologic mapping and oversees statewide mining activities. John has authored over 35 abstracts and papers on southern Appalachian geology. He is an active member and former President of the Atlanta Geological Society and Georgia Geological Society.
John’s art interests encompass drawing, photography, and colored pencil and pastel painting, but for the last 35 years, his primary medium has been stained glass. His work is self designed and fabricated and he draws inspiration from the natural world. He plans to eventually, establish a small-scale studio under the name, The Gneiss arts & Crafts Company. John, Doctor Roxx, or preferably Doc, as his students call him, is thrilled at becoming a Big Canoe resident where his inspiration will be continuously renewed. John can be reached at drroxx@gmail.com.