Joe grew up in Norman, Oklahoma as the son of two OU professors. His love for academics led him to graduate from Northwestern University, Yale Law School, and Harvard Business School.
He began work at Goldman Sachs in 1971 and was a founder of the Financial Institutions Group. During his time at Goldman Sachs, he was instrumental in some of the largest bank mergers in the United States. It was during his time in New York City where his love of wine began.
Joe met Ann Colgin at a dinner in 1997 celebrating the legendary vintner Henri Jayer, and they were married in 2000 on the IX Estate property.
Joe is actively involved with Colgin Cellars while working as an Advisory Director at Goldman Sachs and serving on various corporate boards, including Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Outfront Media, and the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation and is a director of the Actor’s Fund.