President and CEO

[email protected]
(862) 227-9114

John F. Castano joined NJ SEEDS in 2008, bringing experience in prep school and college education, as well as business and nonprofit management and consulting. John holds a BA in English from Villanova University, and an MA in Strategic Communication from Seton Hall University. In addition to his leadership at NJ SEEDS, John is an adjunct professor in the Communication Studies department at Montclair State University, and has taught English, communications and a leadership course at Seton Hall Preparatory School. He has also served as a consultant to the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance at Rutgers University. He is the Past President of the Jersey Cares board; a past Executive Director of the Griffin Bridges Program Advisory Committee at Seton Hall Prep, where he has also served as a mentor; and a representative on his town’s Senior Concerns Committee. John was honored by NJ SEEDS in 2001 for his “ongoing commitment to developing future leaders through education… by providing opportunities for highly motivated, academically qualified, economically disadvantaged students.” He has been the recipient of Seton Hall University’s Humanitarian Award, The Salvatore N. Caprio Award, and the St. Andrew’s College Seminary Humanitarian Award. John and his wife Kristi are the proud parents of Bridget and Kara.