Joe is a fourth generation scientific glassblower who began learning the art of scientific glassblowing 47 years ago in 1966 at his family-owned business, The Milwaukee Glass Works Inc.
In 1969 he became a scientific glassblower with Pope Scientific Inc., in Menomonee Falls, WI. In 1974 he was promoted to Plant Superintendent and head of the custom glassblowing facility. While supervising all phases of production he was responsible for teaching production trainees, apprentices and journeymen glassblowers. In 1980 Joe joined Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, IL. In 1985 Joe was promoted to the level of Scientific
Associate specializing in apparatus design and in 1997 was promoted to Senior Scientific Associate.
Joe has held every office in the Midwest Section and served two terms, 1984-1988 as the ASGS National Secretary, ASGS National President Elect in 1989-1990 and ASGS President in
1990-1991. Joe won the ASGS Helmut E. Drechsel Achievement Award in 1989 and the J. Allen Alexander Award in 1993. He has presented many technical papers for which he has been awarded three Dennis Courtney Awards from Andrews Glass Co. He has presented three technical posters, and has demonstrated technical workshops at the National Symposia. He was honored by receiving the first “William A. Wilt Award” in 1999 and again in 2003 and 2012 for his workshop demonstrations. Joe received the first “President’s Achievement Award” in 2008. Joe has served as the National Junior Liaison Committee Chair since 1988.
