Born into a family of long traditions, Joseph grew up learning the importance of family values and community service. After spending his early years near his family home in rural southeastern Connecticut, Joseph grew up in Wallingford, a town whose history is much like that of Pulaski. Wallingford too, was a manufacturing town that lost much of its industry and found itself having to evolve into stronger community where business could succeed and families could grow. Throughout his youth, Joseph was witness to his community’s success and vision as its industries changed focus moving away from manufacturing to a high-tech tomorrow.
While visiting in 1998, Joseph saw in the New River Valley a place that he wanted to call his home. The next year, Joseph began his studies in Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech where he developed a strong interest in server development and implementation as well as web-application programming. While taking one of his required courses in physics, Joseph met his future wife, Laura, whom he later married in the summer of 2004.
Over the years, Joseph has worked with several departments at Virginia Tech, including the departments of Engineering Education, Student-Athlete Academic Support Services (SAASS) and Outreach Information Services (OIS). At Engineering Education, Joseph developed a courseware system for the teaching and management of online computer programming courses, where in the process he learned the enjoyment of helping students succeed in their goals. By later joining the SAASS Department, Joseph had the opportunity to further help students and research new methods to manage and secure computing systems. Although he enjoyed working with students, Joseph moved to the OIS department where he had opportunity to put some of his work to practical use and continue to expand his knowledge of sever technology.
In the fall of 2004, Joseph and Laura started looking for a place for them to both call home. They quickly decided that they did not want to stay in Montgomery County and found Pulaski, where they both agreed that it was a town with a lot to offer and that had great potential. There they found a wonderful home in a great community surrounded by wonderful people and a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They both felt at home in Pulaski and knew that it was the place they want to eventually raise a family.
Over the years Joseph has remained active in his community, and even with the move to Pulaski, he still remains active in the Virginia Tech community in organizations including:
- Member, Virginia Tech Staff Senate
- Member, Linux/Unix Users Group at Virginia Tech
- Member, Open Source Alternatives Group at Virginia Tech
- Staff Advisor to the Beta Omega Chapter of the Theta Xi Fraternity
Though supporting the Virginia Tech community is good, Joseph prefers to be active in the community he calls home. In Pulaski, Joseph has become a part of following:
- Member, First Christian Church
- Member and Officer, Pythagoras Lodge 239
- Commissioner, Pulaski Redevelopment and Housing Association
As Joseph has become more involved in his community, he has seen that the Town of Pulaski is a great town with even greater potential. He has noticed though that Pulaski needs stronger leadership who believe in the future of Pulaski rather than its past. Joseph knows that he can help provide that leadership as one of your town councilmen.
