Joel serves as the Senior Policy Analyst. The purpose of this position is to use an evidence-based practices approach to promote local compliance, proficiency, and accountability with the core requirements of the Fair Defense Act. He is responsible for analyzing data collected at the local level, reviewing county indigent defense plans and practices, and then reporting his findings to the Commission. He acts as an enabler to local government by noting factors driving successful indigent defense programs in local jurisdictions and by showing how local indigent defense services could be improved through utilizing proven practices followed in jurisdictions across the State. Joel has past experience in the software industry, working as a quality assurance engineer and as a build manager. He has a law degree from Texas Tech University, a M.S. in Management from North Carolina State University, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University.