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Joe has the global perspective of a business executive with 28 years of military
service… and the local ties that keep him firmly rooted in the Newton community
he grew up in.
Joe has a degree in Civil Engineering from UMass Lowell and an MBA from Boston University. He joined the Navy after college and then pursued a career in the construction industry. He worked as a project manager at Martini, an executive at Macomber and later as a senior executive at Shawmut. In September, 2009, after twenty-eight years of military service concurrent with his civilian career, Joe retired as a Captain in the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He was awarded the distinguished Legion of Merit medal for his outstanding service and achievement.
It was back in November, 2002 that he founded Commodore…
What
propelled you to start your own business?
I wanted to build something different...something employees
could have a stake in…could share pride in. I wanted to
build an enduring company, a place where people have the
room to grow. I wanted to create an environment where people
embrace the connection between the business and the personal
aspects of their lives. They’re not separate for me. It’s
not just business. It’s very personal. I want to make a
personal contribution to our clients’ success, to the people
who work here and to their families.
Did you find parallels between your business and your military careers?
Back when I first joined the Navy, I was escaping the politics of having a father who was a senior executive in a major construction company in Boston. Over the years, my role in the Navy grew into something much more meaningful. It often kept me grounded. As the CEO of Commodore, I don’t have anyone above me to report to. But, as a senior Naval officer, I was continually honing my management skills as I waded through the politics and the organizational challenges of my military career. That experience is a big part of my life story and has had a major influence on my values and leadership style. I have many relationships, forged during my 28 years in the military, that I know will last long after my retirement and play a role in the next chapter of my life.
Where did you get the energy to manage two careers?
It came from the need to know that when I leave this world, I’ll have left it making a difference, not just to my family, but to an extended universe of people. My hope has always been that I shaped my family’s values in the process of serving our nation and providing for them. There were many times when I was conflicted, wondering if I could truly do either career well, with the constant juggling between commitments and available hours in the day....but every time my mind went there, I would think about the meaningful impact that I was making in both careers, and I just kept going.
How does it feel to be retired from the Navy? What’s next?
In some ways, I feel too young to retire, until I catch a glimpse of the bald spot on the back of my head. That’s when I realize that I’m indeed old enough to retire. But I AM still young and my best years are ahead of me. When people ask me, “What’s next?” I think about how I’ve always said that if I weren’t so busy with the Navy, I could be CEO of the year…and Father – Husband of the year…and maybe even a good golfer…Now, when I’m finally faced with those opportunities, I don’t know if I can truly deliver on them…but I’ll do my best. As for what else lies ahead…the truth is, time will tell and I will have the time now to contemplate.
What are the things you love?
I love good leadership. I love to see it…to deliver it…be
given it. I love skiing, playing golf, being reckless and
watching my kids grow. I love action and reaction. I love
helping people stretch beyond their own expectations. I love
my house in Vermont. It’s comfortable and remote and allows
me to focus on my family.
What
don’t you like?
I hate arrogance…can’t stand complacency.
Who are
the people who have influenced your life?
My Dad, of course. He was a senior executive at Macomber
for 33 years. He taught me how important reputation is in
this industry. I also had a lieutenant, when I was an ensign
in the Navy. He was focused on values-based leadership, long
before Covey wrote about it. He’s a Senior Captain in the
Navy now. I always admired his unassuming, values-focused
approach to life.
When
will you know you’re a success?
When Harvard writes a case study on the enlightened,
strategic success of Commodore. That’s when I’ll know we’re
a success. From building the company…to delivering excellent
execution…to developing a market leadership position and
being an extraordinary place to work…when the business world
regards those things as something to emulate, and business
publications point to Commodore as an example of good
leadership…that’s when I’ll know we’ve arrived.
Current
Industry and Community Involvement
- Advisory Board, UMass Lowell College of Engineering
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Past President, Massachusetts Building Congress
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Board of Directors, Massachusetts Building Congress
- Board of Directors, Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts
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Board of Directors, New England Center for Homeless Veterans
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IPAC, Wentworth Institute of Technology
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Non-Resident Director, Navy Mutual Aide Association
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Finance Council, Corpus Christi St. Bernard Parish, Newton
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