Biographical Information
Born and raised in the NRV, and a graduate of Virginia Tech, Joel has deep local roots and a genuine understanding of what makes Blacksburg such an extraordinary place.
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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575252310743
Affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing the Town of Blacksburg. As a town, our stock of attainable housing, starter housing, and missing middle housing is very lacking. I believe this problem is exacerbated by the town's antiquated zoning codes and ordinances. There are several layers to the housing crisis, but if we do an honest job of creating more attainable housing by-right, then we'll be able to attract more proposals that provide it. Too many administrative, political, or financial roadblocks can prevent attainable housing projects from being submitted, and the first step is zoning code reform. Shepherding that through will be one of my primary goals to achieve this coming year.
I am running for a seat on the Blacksburg Town Council, because I want to support more attainable housing and alternative transportation options. Those two things were my primary motivation for running for town council last year, and they remain my primary two motivations for running again in the special election this year. Since serving on Town Council at the beginning of this year, I've learned a lot about land use and the types of issues that Town Council has to work on to make our community better as a whole. This coming year will be an important one as the town looks into updating our Comprehensive Plan and zoning code reform, and I would very much like to be play a part in seeing them through while serving on Town Council.
Since the beginning of this year, I have served on the Blacksburg Town Council. This has given me an incredible first-hand experience with what is involved in serving on town council and the types of issues that a town council deals with. I'm also currently working through a course put on by VCU to become a certified planning commissioner, and I've really enjoyed the depth of knowledge and information that I've internalized from that course so far. Previously I've served on the board of the NRV Bicycle Association and our local conversation of Strong Towns Blacksburg, and while I've stepped to the side of those roles for now to focus more on the work of Town Council, they still heavily influence how I look at land use and transportation.
Biographical Information
I’ve called Blacksburg home for most of the past 26 years. I came here as a Virginia Tech student, earned three degrees, spent more than a decade working for the university, and chose Blacksburg as the place to build my life. I’m a program manager and strategic consultant who has spent my career bringing people together to solve complex problems and turn big ideas into action. Service has also been part of my life since my years in 4-H, and I’ve volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the Montgomery County Christmas Store, and most recently as Volunteer Coordinator for Pete Macedo’s 2025 mayoral campaign. I’m not a career politician. I’m a neighbor, volunteer, and problem-solver who cares deeply about this community. I’m running for Town Council to bring greater transparency, thoughtful long-term planning, stronger collaboration with Virginia Tech, diverse perspectives, and a culture where residents know their voices matter and have a meaningful role in shaping Blacksburg’s future.
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I think Blacksburg's biggest challenge is how we grow and adapt while maintaining what makes our community special. Housing, transportation, economic development, our tax base, infrastructure, and Virginia Tech are interconnected, and decisions in one area can have consequences years later. We need to look at the whole picture and plan for the long term, while rebuilding trust in how decisions are made. That means more transparency, earlier communication, and meaningful opportunities for residents, students, businesses, and community partners to participate. We don't lack good ideas or talented people. Our challenge is bringing the right people together, asking hard questions, and turning good ideas into action.
I'm running because I care deeply about Blacksburg and believe we need fresh perspectives and a different approach to leadership. Blacksburg has been my home for most of 26 years. I came here as a Virginia Tech student, earned three degrees, worked at VT for a decade, and continue to choose this community as home. Too many residents feel disconnected from local government and unheard. I want more transparency, meaningful discussion, and different viewpoints welcomed on Council. As a program manager, I know how to bring people together, ask hard questions, and move ideas forward. I also want to strengthen relationships between residents, the Town, and Virginia Tech so we can work together toward a stronger future.
I listen, do my homework, and work until something gets done. When I wanted students more involved, I asked—and built a team of VT interns now researching issues and bringing new ideas to the table. When I found most Town meetings weren't online, I gathered the data, compared Blacksburg with other communities, spoke up at Council, and kept pushing. Now we're seeing movement. That's how I work: I listen, research, ask hard questions, and I'm not afraid to disagree. My program management experience has taught me how to bring people together, identify resources, turn ideas into actionable plans, and follow through. I want to use those skills to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and help Blacksburg turn good ideas into meaningful change.
