Joe is a 1981 graduate of the The Citadel. He began his insurance profession in 1985 after serving four years on active duty with the United States Marine Corps. 

Joe holds the professional designation of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) ®, from the American College, and has earned numerous industry awards including qualification for the Million Dollar Round Table Court of the table (MDRT). Joe is also a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals.

Joe is a native of Marshfield, MA and has lived in Mt. Pleasant, SC since 1985. He has been married to Roberta Poole Leary for over 40 years. They have two children a grandson and German Shorthaired Pointer named Fenway.