Our Team

Joel heads up Common Knowledge's social networking practice area— specializing in all aspects of 'internal' and 'external' social networking community building for our nonprofit clients.

Joel brings nearly 10 years of experience in social networking, community building, project management, and political campaign consulting and fundraising. He has provided strategic counsel to non-profits, political candidates, issue campaigns and businesses on building and implementing online communications plans. Joel has previously served as the Online Communications Director for the Westly for Governor (California) campaign, Deputy Chief Information Officer for the State of California, and Deputy Director of Operations for Governor Gray Davis Committee. Joel's interest in the web began as a summer intern working for the Central Intelligence Agency, where he developed and spearheaded the development of the CIA's "Homepage for Kids."

Prior to joining Common Knowledge, Joel served as the Executive Director of EndOil—a new nonprofit focused on ending America's dependency on oil. Joel was introduced to the organization at its formation to help build its website. Initially as a web strategy consultant and later as the organization's Executive Director, Joel utilized the web to attract thousands of supporters (starting from zero), while employing just three full time staffers. Through strategic use and integration of the online and offline activities, EndOil ensured the implementation of several key environmental policies both locally (Long Beach and Los Angeles) and statewide to ensure reduction in port pollution.

When Joel isn't working, he's running, or at least thinking about running. He generally prefers being outside than in. He's also impatiently waiting for the ability to buy stuff by waving his mobile phone in front of it.

Joel graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Government.