Joe became CEO of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) in September of 2019. Prior to the WCO, Joe served as Executive Director of The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin (2013-2019), a global youth development organization teaching and reinforcing life skills through the game of golf.
A strong supporter of equity and accessibility in the arts, Joe has led the WCO to be 1 of only 20 orchestras in the country to be selected to receive a 3-year Catalyst Incubator grant from the Mellon Foundation and League of American Orchestras to do extensive work in equity, diversity, and inclusion. The WCO also participates in the League’s Inclusive Stages program, becoming the only orchestra in the country to be involved in both the Catalyst Incubator and Inclusive Stages programs.
Joe earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cello Performance from Lawrence University. He served on the Advisory Board at UW-Madison’s Business School and gave its commencement speech. Joe captained the men’s golf team at Lawrence University and became the only golfer in the school’s 160-year history to be named to the All-American Golf Team.
Joe played professional golf on the Florida mini tours from 2007-2011. As a cellist, he became a professional orchestral cellist at age 16, playing for the Green Bay Symphony from 2000-2006. Joe has soloed with three orchestras and had a teaching studio for 15 years, teaching over 50 cello students.
Recent recognitions include Destination Madison Distinguished Achievement Award Finalist (2023), Wisconsin School of Business Alumni 8 to Watch (2023), Lawrence University Athletic Hall of Fame (2022), and IN Business Magazine 40 Under 40 (2021).
An active volunteer, Joe currently serves on the Downtown Rotary of Madison Foundation, Destination Madison, and Temple Beth El (Madison) boards. Additionally, he Chairs the Overture Center of the Arts Resident Company Advisory Council and is an Advisory Board Member for the League of American Orchestras. Joe has served on panels and been the featured speaker on a broad range of arts and non-profit topics locally in Madison and across the U.S.
Joe lives in Madison with his wife Evan, son Levi, and daughters Sunny and Dell.
