Paolillo worked for the St. Joseph School District from 1965 to 2003 and was executive director of school management at the time of his retirement. He has been an adjunct professor for William Woods for the past three years.

Previously he was director of secondary education, principal of two middle schools and principal of an elementary school in the St. Joseph School District. He began his career teaching social studies for grades six to eight and coaching basketball, wrestling and track.

Paolillo earned his B.S. in education from Northwest Missouri State University and his M.S., Ed.S. and Ed.D. in educational administration from the University of Missouri.

Active in professional and community organizations, he has served as chairman of the board of directors for Progressive Community Services and has been on the board of directors for Junior Achievement and Crime Stoppers of St. Joseph. He also has been actively involved with the Lions, YMCA, Juvenile Justice Coalition, St. Joseph Drug and Alcohol Committee, United Way, Boys Baseball Association and Bantam Football Association.

He has received numerous honors, including Outstanding Young Educator from the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce in 1973, Educator of the Year from the Northwest Missouri Phi Delta Kappan in 1977 and was one of six honored as Middle School Administrator of the Year at the state level in 1986.

Paolillo and his wife, Jennifer, have six children: Alicia, Anthony, Andrew, Adam, Alex and Allison.