DonateI am committed to take my experience as a leader, teacher, and activist to the State Capitol to champion a more sustainable Utah for us, our children, and our world.
-Joel
Joel has lived in the Douglas neighborhood for 29 years. 15 years ago, in response to neighborhood concerns over parking, traffic, and livability issues, Joel along with his neighbors created the Douglas Neighborhood Association (DNA). The DNA was able to partner with the city to enact change for the local community. The success of the DNA in making positive changes for the neighborhood is one of many examples of Joel making his neighborhood, school, and state better for the people in them.
Teacher and Education Advocate
After graduating from the University of Utah, Joel taught in secondary schools for 26 years, 21 of those at Bountiful High School. As a teacher there, he was an adviser to the only Gay-Straight Alliance Club to ever meet at the school.
He left the classroom 2 years ago to serve full time as the Executive Director of the Davis Education Association
Community Leader
While Joel was on the Salt Lake City Board of Education they reversed their ban on gay clubs and he helped facilitate the sale of the unused Douglas Elementary School to the Jewish Community Center preserving valuable open space on 1300 East.
Joel spent 2 years as Chair of the East Central Community Council and helped lead the fight against Rocky Mountain Power’s aggressive above-ground high voltage electrical transmission plan.
These are just a few examples of what Joel has accomplished–but there is so much more to do.