Joel joined the staff of Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in 2011 as the Program Director and was promoted to Executive Director in 2017. Joel is a native of Arkansas and a graduate of Austin College. His work experience, which includes various camps and youth development organizations throughout the United States, has provided an excellent foundation to lead the team at Ferncliff. Joel attributes his time spent at Arkansas 4-H Center and Heifer International with giving him a valuable perspective on the importance of organizations, such as Ferncliff, on the campers we connect with each year as well as the business and corporate community. In all aspects of his work Joel is always focused on promoting the Ferncliff mission of welcoming people into a life of caring for Creation, others and themselves.

Joel has served on the board of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association for the seven years most recently as the President of the organization. He enjoys trail running, watching his four kids play sports and kicking around new ideas.  Joel believes Ferncliff is a perfect place to work to fulfill his passion of connecting people to God through experiences in nature while also satisfying his need to be creative and give back to others.