With extensive experience in public policy, government service, and successful statehouse, gubernatorial, and U.S. presidential campaigns, Joe is a leading expert on public policy messaging around complicated issues. He draws on his vast experience working inside state government and private sector consulting to help clients procure contracts, build their strategy, and become their own best advocates.
Joe began his career while studying political science at The Ohio State University and working for state Senator Merle Grace Kearns, whose passion and dedication for public service inspired him to pursue a career in politics and government. His over 30 years of experiences includes:
- Serving on several political campaigns ranging from a local school board race to managing statehouse and Ohio gubernatorial campaigns
- Serving as an assistant to the Chief of Staff for Ohio Governor Bob Taft, a liaison role between the Chief of Staff, governor's office staff, and executive department staff, in addition to working as an Advance Coordinator for the Governor
- An appointment as Political Director for the successful Ohio Victory 2000/Bush-Cheney Ohio campaign, managing 24 county political organizations and 15 statewide regional phone banks while also planning and performing advance duties for candidate visits and major campaign events
- Serving as a legislative liaison at the Ohio Department of Commerce, where he represented the department and the divisions of Real Estate, Financial Institutions, Industrial Compliance, Liquor Control, Unclaimed Funds, State Fire Marshal, and Labor and Worker Safety before the Ohio General Assembly. He was responsible for coordinating the department policy, regulatory, and legislative matters
- Joining, and rising to become Vice President of, the LNE Group, a public policy advocacy and government relations consulting firm representing public and private sector clients such as state and local governments, trade associations, multinational corporations, and nonprofit organizations
Prior to joining Shumaker Advisors, Joe served as principal of JMH Management, an independent and multiple-client government affairs, business development, and trade association management firm representing a variety of corporate, association, and industry clients at the state and local level. The firm specialized in the development and execution of government relations initiatives, public policy and lobbying, political campaign strategy, procurement opportunities, economic development and grant proposals, and state trade association management.
Education
B.A., Political Science, The Ohio State University