Joe is a native Rhode Islander.  He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Northeastern University and later his Master's in Social Work from Rhode Island College. After graduating from Northeastern, Joe backpacked for six weeks through the British Isles, living in youth hostels where he met several fascinating people from all over the world. Upon returning home, he was hired by Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. (FHR) and spent the next forty years helping to build the non-profit organization serving those with mental illnesses and substance use disorders into a nationally recognized behavioral health provider. 

The arts, in particular the performing arts, have always been a part of Joe’s life. From the time that he received his first guitar at age twelve, he has been writing songs and poetry and performing at open mikes. He appeared in several community theater productions with the Coventry Players. While serving as Executive Director of Welcome House, a homeless shelter in Peace Dale, he wrote a one-act play entitled “The Faces of Homelessness,” which was performed at the Contemporary Theater Company in Wakefield. Joe stepped down as President/CEO of FHR in 2014 and relocated to Snug Harbor.  In the ensuing twelve years, he has come out of retirement twice to help charitable organizations regain their viability. He has also taken other jobs, such as an activities assistant in a memory care unit of a local nursing home and a ranch hand for a horse rescue farm in Ashaway, because of the challenges they presented.  He has been working since the spring on “Like A Love Song” with Maia and looks forward to its publication in late January or early February of 2026. You can reach him at joesnug2014@gmail.com