John Costilla

John brings over 30 years of diverse experience in the K-12 education and technology sectors, having worked as an educator, sales and marketing leader, and consultant. He began his career as a secondary English teacher and curriculum specialist, later expanding his influence through collaborations with innovative education startups and established organizations.

Throughout his career, John has held leadership positions at notable companies, including Lightspan, Pearson, We Are Teachers (founding member), and myOn/Renaissance. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer at Capstone Publishing, where he developed go-to-market strategies and initiatives for both print and digital solutions.

As a CMO, John works with leadership members in developing the brand, message and marketing strategies that lead to effective adoption and application in classrooms. With 20 years in K-12 marketing, John is a leader in innovative solution and strategic partnerships. John champions a servant leadership philosophy, focusing on breaking down barriers to empower teams and enhance their capabilities.

In addition to his corporate roles, John is a board advisor for Literacy First of Texas and a current board member and past president of Friends of Texas Public Schools. He remains actively engaged in collaborative consulting with various state and national education associations and organizations, fueling his lifelong passion for improving educational outcomes for all students.

John is a graduate of Texas Tech University. He is married to America, yes, like the country, and has three daughters, two sons and two grandchildren. In his free time and work travels, John enjoys RVing across the countryside.