Jo has dedicated her life to meeting the needs of others. After retirement from the Coast Guard, where she became the first woman to advance to Chief (E7) Fire Control Technician and the first woman commissioned as Chief Warrant Officer in the Weapons Specialty.
Her desire to help fellow women veterans led to her involvement with the Ohio Women Veterans Advisory Committee, the Greater Cincinnati Women’s American Legion Post 644 and the Dayton National Cemetery Honor Squad. Jo has been involved with the Summit County veteran stand down and recently participated in Clark County’s Silent Watch to increase community awareness of veteran suicide.
At Wright State University, Jo served with the Take Your Daughter and Son to Work program, Move-In Day, the Knitting Circle and Quilt Show. She also successfully advocated for a silent computer lab. Her efforts within the music program at Troy City Schools resulted in her hire as a tutor and substitute teacher.
Jo established the Evening of Strings Founders Fund to honor the memory of the founders of the Evening of Strings program, which brings Miami Valley High School string orchestra musicians together in concert annually. She also provided funds to commission an original composition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the program.
Beyond all this, Jo finds time to regularly serve with the Humane Society of Dayton, provide local veterans and senior citizens with rides to appointments and perform as a musician in various community bands.