Joe was born in Washington DC, then moved to Montgomery County, Maryland. He wrestled at Northwood High School, sporting a career record of 35-3-1. He also won the gold medal in the 1971 Eastern Regional Junior Olympic Tournament in Pittsburgh. Joe capped his high school career by placing second at 112 lbs in the 1973 State Championships. While attending the University of Maryland, Joe was encouraged to officiate wrestling by Dr. Robert McNelis. As a member of the Washington Metropolitan Wrestling Officials Association (WMWOA) in 1976, he worked boys clubs, junior and senior high matches, setting his sights on refereeing college matches and NCAA Championships.

After attending Ohio Northern University Law School from 1980-1983, he served as Associate Lead Articles for the Law Review. He published two articles in the Law Review and was licensed to practice law in MD, WV and Washington, DC. After law school, Joe came back to Maryland joining both the WMWOA and the MWOA (Maryland Wrestling Officials Association). In 1999, he was recognized as the Maryland Official of the Year. Besides high school officiating, he was assigned Division I matches in the ACC, Southern, Eastern EWL and various prestigious tournaments. Joe also worked many Division I qualifiers and officiated the Big Ten Championships from 2008-2020 and officiated the ACC Championships in 2021. If Joe looks familiar, it may be because you have seen him officiating on ESPN or the Big Ten Channel. Incredibly, he has officiated 10 NCAA Division I Championships. 

Moreover, Joe entered the Army as a member of the Judge Advocate Generals Corps in 1984. He was also trained and served in a Special Operations Unit. In 2001, he volunteered for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM serving as Chief of Humanitarian Assistance Working Group at McDill AFB, Tampa, Florida and in Afghanistan, supervising senior officers from 44 countries. This group collected and transported 150 tons of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Joe was also instrumental in facilitating the provision of small arms and other equipment for the Afghan National Army. He received special recognition from General Tommy Franks for his contributions. Joe was awarded the Combat Action Badge, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Airborne and Assault Badges. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2005.