Joe earned degrees in Accounting and Marketing from Cedarville University and worked for a top 10 accounting firm. He then founded a technology company focused on building software for schools, colleges, and businesses.

Joe and his wife moved to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, for two years where Suzy taught music at an international Christian school and Joe operated his business from abroad. After returning to Ottawa County in 2012, Joe co-founded two more technology businesses. Joe and Suzy have a daughter and a son.

He became involved in local politics after Ottawa County threatened the parents at his child’s Christian School with fines and imprisonment for exercising their rights to determine the care and education of their children, and for not complying with certain COVID-19 mandates. The county eventually closed the school for two weeks. The school sued in federal court and never compromised their convictions. The county attorney at the time claimed the school and the school’s attorney had an “ignorant conservative political agenda.”

Since co-founding Ottawa Impact with Sylvia Rhodea in early 2021, Joe has led the county in standing for freedom and seeking to preserve and protect American values. Working with the team at Ottawa Impact, Joe is focused on cultivating a vibrant community and the preservation of the American family.

Ottawa Impact seeks to engage citizens in civics in a meaningful way by promoting conservative principles. Joe serves as the President of Ottawa Impact and the Executive Director of Ottawa Impact PAC, a political action committee designed to find, vet, and fund conservative leaders in Ottawa County.

Since taking office as a county commissioner, Joe has stood firm on the promises he made during his campaign in 2022. He has again signed the Contract with Ottawa as a promise to the people.

Amidst the battle for the soul of America, Joe recognizes that Ottawa County is pivotal to our state and nation. If we want to protect all we hold dear for future generations, it is important for everyday citizens use their voices and engage at the local level.

Since taking office, Joe:

• Voted to close the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department.
  • The department promoted progressive ideology and divisive racial policies.
  • This change returned county operations to focus on character, excellence, and merit.
  • This also saves the county $286,000 per year.
• Voted to pass the following resolutions:
  • Constitutional County Resolution
  • Resolution to Protect Childhood Innocence
  • Adoption Day Resolution
  • Resolution Opposing State Control of Solar Siting
  • Heroes of Freedom Resolution
  • Resolution on Childhood Vaccine Waivers for School and Childcare
  • Resolution to Promote Life
  • Autism Awareness Month Resolution
• Voted to hire Kallman Legal Group, one of the most experienced constitutional law firms in Michigan
• Voted to build and expand the Department of Veteran Affairs to prioritize our heroes of freedom
• Voted to reject unneeded and sometimes harmful grants
• Voted to approve funding for body cameras for the Sheriff’s Department
• Voted to increase pay to comparable levels for the Sheriff’s Department, helping attract and retain high quality law enforcement personnel

On the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, Joe serves on the following boards and committees:

• Ottawa County Insurance Authority, Chairman
• Ottawa County Land Bank Authority
• Finance & Administration Committee
• Health & Human Services Committee
• Planning & Policy Committee
• Rules, Broadband, and Strategic Planning Committees