Biography

06/06/1947 -

M. Joseph “Joe” Rocks (D4) Philadelphia County 1983-1988 (R4) Philadelphia County 1988-1990

Early Life:

M. Joseph “Joe” Rocks, born June 6, 1947, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; son of Joseph F. and Catherine Gilchrist Rocks; West Catholic Boys High School, 1965; A.S., Community College of Philadelphia, A.S., 1967; United States Army Security Agency, 1967-1971; Defense Language Institute, California, German linguist; University of Maryland; University of Iowa, B.A., 1972; vice president and president, Samuel LePera, Incorporated; president, Manayunk Business Association; member, 21st Ward Republican Executive Committee; board director, Rudolphy Residence for the Blind – Philadelphia; trustee, Community College of Philadelphia; board director, Center for Early Childhood Services, Inc.; legislative assistant, Republican caucus, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1973; budget analyst, Republican caucus, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1974-1975; Southeast regional director, Republican Legislative Field Services, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1976-1978; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1979-1981, changed party affiliation, became, Democrat, 1982, not a candidate for reelection, 1982; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1983-1987, changed party affiliation, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1989-1990, unsuccessful campaign for reelection, 1990; unsuccessful campaign, controller, Philadelphia, 1989; unsuccessful campaign, mayor, Philadelphia, 1995; chief executive officer, Windabrae Associates; president, Interlink Strategies, Incorporated, 1992-2000; gubernatorial appointee, board, State Employees’ Retirement System, 1997-2000; board chair, chief executive officer, Northwestern Human Services, 2000-2014.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1979-1981, appointed, House Select Committee to Investigate SEPTA, 1979, changed party affiliation, became, Democrat, 1982, not a candidate for reelection, 1982.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 4th district, 1983-1988, changed party affiliation, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1989-1990, appointed, board, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), 1981-1990, appointed, board, Public School Employees’ Retirement System (1983-1990), appointed, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, 1989-1990, appointed, Pennsylvania Heritage Affairs Commission, 1989-1990, unsuccessful campaign for reelection, Allyson Schwartz, 1990.

Unsuccessful campaign, controller, Philadelphia, 1989.

Unsuccessful campaign, mayor, Philadelphia, 1995.

Gubernatorial appointee, board, State Employees’ Retirement System, 1997-2000.

Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us)

Legacy:

Served all four caucuses, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Pennsylvania State Senate.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members "R"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University. 

NHS Human Services | Annual Report 2014 | Corporate Governance and Executive Team (merakey.org)