Joe was born in Los Angeles, CA but never lived there. He grew up about an hour-and-a-half away in a small town of about 2,000 people called Pine Mountain Club, CA. He graduated from Earl Wooster High School in Reno, NV and then attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Joe moved to Athens in 2016 with his wife, Katie, so that she could start as a professor in the UGA Psychology Department. Joe and Katie live with their delightful dogs, Finn and Lucy, and their grumpy cat, Merlin.
For the first fifteen years of his career, Joe worked in investment management, consulting, and real estate finance. Then, Joe pivoted to pursue work that he is more passionate about with an eye toward getting more involved in the local Athens community. Currently, Joe is the Executive Director of the Clarke County Mentor Program, a program that pairs adult mentors with children in the Clarke County School District. He is a member of the current LEAD Athens cohort, as well as the Rotary of Athens.
What do you love most about the work you do?
Long-term what I love most about the work is the opportunity to give back and make a difference. Day-to-day what I love most are the people, including the families we serve, the organization’s staff and board of directors, and all of our other supporters in the community. Serving in this role has allowed me to get to know people in the community whose paths I might not have crossed otherwise, which has been a lot of fun and very fulfilling.
When you are not working, what are some of your favorite things to do in Athens?
Eating, of course. There is a phenomenal dining scene here in Athens, and I like enjoying everything the town has to offer, whether that be activities and events centered around the university, or all the opportunities for community and camaraderie and volunteerism. There is never really a dull moment in Athens.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Katie and I would love to go to Italy, perhaps the Tuscany/Florence area just to enjoy the beauty, the art and the culture. We enjoy wine, so visiting some vineyards there would be amazing.
If you could see any band or show anywhere, who would you see and where?
I would have to say Tom Petty at Red Rocks. I have been to Red Rocks, which is perhaps the best concert venue in the U.S., but I never had the opportunity to see Tom Petty while he was alive and performing. I think seeing him at Red Rocks would have been spectacular.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Focus more on the journey than the destination. I have been incredibly fortunate and love what I am doing, but in no way could I have ever predicted living in Athens, Georgia and having the honor of leading the Clarke County Mentor Program; so just enjoy the journey wherever it may lead you.
Do you have a favorite book or a book you find yourself rereading or referencing or gifting often?
Yep. I actually picked this book up when I was in the business world, and I find myself coming back to it time and again and recommending it to a lot of folks. It is called The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, by Alice Schroeder. There are a number of biographies that have been written about Warren Buffett, but this one is particularly good and is not, despite what people may think, all about investing. The book is really more about Warren Buffett’s life philosophy, which I find compelling. Despite his immense financial wealth, he actually measures his success by the strength of his personal relationships, which I think is an important reminder about what really matters in life.
Do you have a favorite movie or remember the first movie you saw in a movie theater?
I really like The Lord of The Rings trilogy. I regularly flip those on if I can’t think of something else to watch. Like most things in life, I think my enjoyment of those movies has a lot to do with sharing the experience with a close friend. While I was in college, those movies came out once per year around Christmas. Whenever I would go home from college, I would see the new installment of the trilogy in the theater with one of my best friends, Jeff, which is a nice memory for me.
What is something interesting about you that some people might not know?
I am actually quite introverted. People commonly misinterpret what that means and think introverts are super shy and don’t enjoy social interaction, which is not always the case. For me, I really prefer smaller, more intimate settings with tight-knit groups. I think people would be surprised by that, though, because my general sense is that people see me as being social and outgoing.
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and where?
I would have to say my grandfather, Jerry Ehrlich, who passed away about eight years ago. He was instrumental in my life and I miss him dearly. So, if I had the opportunity to see him again that would be amazing. He used to take me golfing and then we would eat hot dogs at the little snack shack at the end of the course. So, I think something simple like that.
What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word “home?”
My wife, Katie, is really my rock and greatest support system. Her hard work and great job allows me to follow my passions. So the first thing I think of related to the word “home” is family, specifically Katie. I also think about our dogs, of course, and I think of relaxation.
