On June 4, 2010 my great mentor and family friend, Ronald Joe, Sr. became the new Director of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI). [Click here to view the press release] Col. Joe previously served as DEOMI’s 10th Commandant from 1991-1996. It was during this time that I first met Col. Joe, as I did my college internship as a researcher under Dr. Dansby in the DEOMI research department.
I’ll never forget the first time I walked into the Commandant’s office, what an experience.He had heard something good about me, I assume, and requested that I come to meet him. I have always assumed that Mr. Gene Johnson, the “God-father” of DEOMI who had been there since the beginning when DEOMI was the Defense Race Relations Institute (DRRI). I always forget to ask Col. Joe and Mr. Johnson about that.
Anyway, I walked into the Commandants office, with walls covered in degrees, awards, commendations, and pictures, and was introduced to Col. Joe. I expected a very brief, “Hi, how’s it going, don’t mess-up” sort of statement followed by a handshake and me trying not to say something stupid. Instead, he made time to talk with me. He asked his colleagues for a moment, and cleared the office of all of the folks with what I later learned were very important military insignia on their uniforms, and asked me to sit down.
I remember sitting down, and thinking that I may be in some sort of trouble; either that or he thought I was someone else, not a new intern. Instead, Col. Joe sat down and took the time to answer my questions, learn about me and my interests in the work DEOMI does and the work I’d been trying to do around race relations and diversity. After that meeting I had a new mentor, and my role as an intern was broadened to include activities that Col. Joe knew would help me grow as a leader.
Col. Joe has a proven record of leadership both in the military and the public sector, and he is dedicated to leadership development, particularly as it relates to diversity and equal opportunity. During his 30 years of military service in the U.S. Army, Ronald Joe served four tours of duty in U.S. Army Europe. He commanded 3rd Battalion, 33rd Armor, an M-1 tank battalion, and he later was the Chief of Human Resources for U.S. Army Europe during Operation Desert Storm, providing policy and staff supervision for more than 500,000 soldiers and family members.
Col. Joe also was instrumental in my selection of Florida A&M University (FAMU) for my doctoral studies. He is a proud Rattler alumnus, and had returned to FAMU to work in Student Affairs, and later as VP of Development. He insisted that I visit FAMU before making any decisions on where I would do my Ph.D.
I decided to visit FAMU, as much out of curiosity as anything. Both Col. Joe, and one of my closest friends, now Dr. DeReef Jamison of Savannah State University, both spoke very highly of FAMU. Col. Joe and DeReef couldn’t be more different, so I figured if they both loved this place I should definitely check it out. The rest is history, as I have joined the ranks of proud FAMU Rattler alumni – definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Those who know me, know that DEOMI and FAMU are two institutions that are very close to my heart, and Col. Joe is the common denominator.
Col. Joe and the Joe family have become an extention of my own family. I am grateful for his continued guidance, and all that he has taught me about leadership. I have no doubt that DEOMI will continue to flourish under Ronald Joe, as it did during his first tenure there as Commandant.
Congratulations from my family to yours Col. Joe!
