About Joel

Joel created a program called FIREd by 50 to help young adults and employers have a common phrase to communicate about company culture.  The 3 C Framework helps support this to further help young adults and employers communicate with clarity.  Below, you'll see how Joel came to develop this program and the concepts on which it is built.

Joel's interest in helping people reach their potential—what Maslow called “self-actualization”—began about 25 years ago. Maslow’s Hierarchy is still one of the best tools to explain this. People look at it, nod their heads going up, then stop and realize they’re stuck at level two: health and wealth. Credit to Maslow for the clarity.

Joel studied engineering and spent 15 years in energy and facilities before becoming a financial advisor. That’s where he saw firsthand how few people understand compound interest—but also how quickly they can get it with a simple graph. That “aha” moment, especially when someone realizes they can become a millionaire with enough time and discipline, is powerful. I’ve taught this to middle schoolers. They get it. Credit to the Romans.

In 2005, Joel joined the military and have spent years being trained in leadership. He now teaches the Military Decision Making Process. That taught him two critical things: how career coaching and structured decision-making empower people. While these may seem less central to the idea of being FIREd by 50, it is actually foundational. People thrive when they feel supported—and that’s what coaching and continuous improvement provide. Credit to the Army.

If you're an employer, this site is for you. The 3 Cs—Compound Interest, Career Planning, and Continuous Improvement—are lessons we usually learn too late. Let’s pass them on sooner.