The True Story
HARDWORKING - MIDDLE CLASS - ITALIAN AMERICAN FAMILY
Joe was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago in a traditional Sicilian Italian family. His father worked in the courts and was a Chicago cop for 15 plus years before starting his own security company. Having seen how hard his dad worked to provide for the family, Joe stayed driven to succeed. He opened up a restaurant in college and left school early to trade bond futures at the Chicago Board of Trade.
There he was surrounded by a world that celebrated excess and embraced the “Grey Areas” of life. Joe became hooked to the environment of fast, easy money.
THE ASU SCANDAL
One fixed game led to a second. A second game to a third. The third to a fourth… Greed simply did in fact kill. And, while Joe’s bank accounts soared to millions, the devastations of excess ripped apart a college program and the promising careers of the players who made the scandal possible. With a trail of damage left behind, still to this day decades later, a scar remains in college athletics while showing others just how easily a moral compass can be compromised.
CONSEQUENCES AND REFLECTION
Maybe it was due to maturity or the painful life lessons dealt along the way. But over time, Joe was given the chance to deeply reflect upon why certain choices were made. Although he justified the grey areas early in life, looking back now he realizes how wrong that was. There is only black or white. Right or wrong…What he regrets most is the wasted time not being a more patient understanding person while remaining stedfast to the life values learned. Regrets for not being a better friend to some people that passed through his life. And, the time lost being a father and husband due to misplaced focus and priorities.
REBUILDING AS A BUSINESSMAN
His most precious and hard-learned business lesson is also a life lesson. Make decisions based on “an audience of one.”
Too often, we make decisions based on what “they” think. Whether they’re our parents, our coworkers, our friends or our rivals. When making decisions, only one person’s opinion matters. For Joe, those answers come through his faith.
FINDING LIFE'S PURPOSE
From being baptized to learning from the mistakes made to understanding vulnerability, Joe currently strives each day to simply be better. He acknowledges that we are flawed in many ways, that life is short, and that life is precious. Joe remains hopeful that the straight forward messages in his story can be used to help others rethink potential choices that are being made for short-term gains.
FINDING LIFE'S PURPOSE
From being baptized to learning from the mistakes made to understanding vulnerability, Joe currently strives each day to simply be better. He acknowledges that we are flawed in many ways, that life is short, and that life is precious. Joe remains hopeful that the straight forward messages in his story can be used to help others rethink potential choices that are being made for short-term gains.
WHAT JOE'S DOING NOW
Joes’ foundation Operation Joy was built to create positive change on a global scale. His dedicated and diverse team partners with influential organizations across the globe to bring hope, healing, and justice to the most vulnerable individuals and communities. Explore our website to learn more about our current projects, team members, and our mission to change the future for those in need.
WHAT JOE'S DOING NOW
Joes’ foundation Operation Joy was built to create positive change on a global scale. His dedicated and diverse team partners with influential organizations across the globe to bring hope, healing, and justice to the most vulnerable individuals and communities. Explore our website to learn more about our current projects, team members, and our mission to change the future for those in need.
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