Joe grew up on a dairy farm near Spencerville, Ontario. He graduated from Carleton University in 1981, with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering (with distinction). Out of university, Joe worked for DuPont Canada Inc. as a process engineer, in 1981 at the Maitland Site near Brockville, Ontario. He held various positions in operations and technical, including technical manager and operations manager until he became the Maitland Site Manager in 2003. Continuing as the Maitland Site manager after the transition to INVISTA Canada in 2004, he held that position until he retired in June 2017 (14 years).

As the Maitland Site Manager, Joe took on two additional roles including Operations Director for Canadian Contract Manufacturing in 2006 (for four years) and INVISTA (Canada) Company Director in 2012 (for five and a half years).

Joe is a member of the Port of Johnstown Management Committee, as well as a board member of the St. Lawrence Corridor Economic Development Commission (SLCEDC).