About

Is his early twenties, Joe had his own multi-line insurance agency. He worked primarily with senior citizens helping them with their medicare and medicare suppliment claims and billing. During this time Joe was also a member of the Peoria Jaycees working on and leading projects in the Peoria, IL area to raise money and awareness for local charities and host events like the annual Peoria fireworks as well as others to improve our community.

Joe earned his Accounting degree from Bradley University while working as a police officer on campus; an experience that shaped his commitment to public safety, fairness, and accountability. During this time he was very active in local scouting and was a scout leader and merit badge counselor. 

He later built a nearly two-decade career at Caterpillar where he learned how large-scale systems and processes work and how they can be improved to better serve workers and communities. 

While working full-time at Caterpillar, Joe earned his MBA in IT Management and eventually took early retirement to pursue a new path: consulting and teaching.

Joe and his wife Jennifer have volunteered for the Look It's My Book and Midwest Food Bank, Small Wonder's at Children's Hospital, and others.

Today, Joe is an adjunct professor at Bradley University and Indiana University, where he teaches economics, accounting, finance, and statistics. He’s also finishing his doctorate in Business and Supply Chain Management from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater this Summer.

His students describe him as thoughtful, honest, and deeply committed to helping others succeed,
qualities he brings to his campaign for Congress.

Joe believes every child should have access to a fair and honest education that is free from restraint and bias. This should be true from kindergarten through college or the trades.

Joe isn’t a career politician. He’s someone who understands the day-to-day challenges families face and he’s tired of seeing Washington work for the few, not the many.

He’s applying for Congress to be a voice for working families, to restore trust in public service, and to fight for a future that’s fair, transparent, and full of opportunity for everyone in Illinois’ 16ᵗʰ District.

“I’m not running for a political office. I'm applying for the job of US Representative of Illinois' 16th District.  The job description is in the job title, "Representative". Each event I attend, each person I meet is a job interview. I’m in this to represent all of the citizens in Illinois and to bring honesty, transparency, and real representation back to Congress — and to make sure the voices of people across our district are finally heard.”

Illinois’ 16ᵗʰ District is a blend of hardworking rural communities, small towns, and growing suburbs, home to farmers, educators, healthcare workers, and small business owners who keep our state moving. From the banks of the Illinois River in Princeton and Chillicothe to the manufacturing centers of Rockford and the vibrant communities near Peoria, this district represents the heart of our state. 

Illinois' 16ᵗʰ Congressional District, located in the northern part of the state, encompasses a diverse range of communities, economies, and landscapes. Covering approximately 8,914 square miles, the district is home to over 750,000 residents.​ Census Reporter