About Joe

Professional

Currently: First Vice President/Investments, one of the largest brokerage companies in the country – 1980–present

Leadership Positions

  • Chairman, Wake County Board of Commissioners, 2013
  • President, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners – 2010–2011
  • South Region Representative to National Association of Counties 2011-present
  • Chair, Wake County Board of Commissioners – 2005, 2008
  • Chairman, Transportation Advisory Committee, CAMPO – 2003–2010
  • Vice Chair, National Association of Counties Transportation Committee – 2006–2012
  • Vice Chair, Wake County Board of Commissioners – 2004
  • Board of Directors, N.C. League of Municipalities – 2001
  • Chairman, Triangle J Council of Governments – 1996–97
  • Mayor of Knightdale – 1995–2002
  • Knightdale Town Council – 1987–95
  • President, Wake County Mayors Association – 2000
  • International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Steering Committee 2012-present
  • Co-Chair, Wake County Community Assessment Committee 2013
  • Chairman, Sustainability Task Force – 2010–2011
  • Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee – 2004, 2007
  • Human Services Board – 2003

Public Service and Community Involvement

  • Passage Home Board of Directors 2013
  • Board of Advisors The North Carolina New Schools Project-2012-present
  • Trustee, Wake Education Partnership – 2005–2008, 2012-present
  • Board member, Alice Aycock Poe Health Education Center – 2005–2012
  • Founder, Education First – 2000
  • United Arts Leadership Board – 1998–99
  • WakeMed Champions – 1996–2004
  • Capital Area Preservation – Board of Directors – 2003–2006
  • Founding board member, East Wake Education Foundation – 1993
  • Active member, Knightdale Baptist Church – 1987–present
  • Lieutenant, U.S. Navy – 1975–80

Honors and Awards

  • Order of the Long Leaf Pine
  • Tar Heel of the Week
  • Triangle Business Journal’s Inaugural “The Triangle’s Most Influential Business Leaders” 2012
  • NAMI Wake County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – Wake County Elected Official of the Year – 2010
  • Alice Aycock Poe Health Education Center Distinguished Service Award – 2007
  • Regional Transportation Champion, Regional Transportation Alliance – 2005
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Wake County Public Schools Light of Hope honoree – 2001
  • Knightdale Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year
  • Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals

Education

  • Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, County Leadership Institute – 2005
  • Master’s degree in business, Central Michigan University – 1980
  • Bachelor’s degree in industrial relations, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill – 1975

Personal

  • Wife, Jennifer; two daughters and sons-in-law; two granddaughters and two grandsons