Joe grew up in Anne Arundel County, learning the importance of environmental protection from crabbing and fishing as a child. Joe is a non-profit leader and community advocate, working as the Justicia Y Equidad Fund Director at GreenLatinos moving almost $30M to small nonprofit partners. Joe currently serves on the boards of Defensores de la Cuenca (Watershed Defenders) and Glisten Maryland. He has also previously served as the Chair of Annapolis Pride, the first Chair of the State of Maryland Commission for LGBTQIA+ Affairs, and the President of Adoptees with Guatemalan Roots, among other roles. Joe is excited to bring his background in bringing communities together, advocating for rights, and working to pass and implement important policies at the local and state level to the County Council.

Policy Objectives

• Affordability: I plan to improve zoning and permitting in Anne Arundel County, ensure smart growth and find solutions to support residents to reduce costs for childcare, healthcare, and other necessities so everyone can live their lives fully and authentically.
  

• Education: I will work to ensure all students have every resource available to achieve academic excellence no matter their background, and I will fight for competitive salaries and opportunities for professional growth for teachers.
  

• Environment: Together we will co-create nature based solutions with communities to address environmental challenges, including stormwater runoff, sea level rise, and tree equity in our district. I will invest in sustainable clean energy programs to ensure homeowners and businesses have access to community driven solar and electric vehicle infrastructure, among other solutions.

  
  

• Public Safety: I plan to ensure that our communities are better protected through community policing, firefighting and EMT models that meet communities where they are, and work to find common solutions, including ensuring immigrants feel protected, not surveilled.

  
  

• Transparency and Accountability: All decisions I make will be made with community input, and based on the needs of the people. I will review and implement a holistic strategy to ensure long-term financial health and resilience to future economic shocks and challenges our county may face.

  
  

Education Background

• Bachelor of Science in Geographical Sciences - Environment Systems and Natural Resources Management from the University of Maryland University College

• Associate Degree in Biology from Anne Arundel Community College

• Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University