Joe Bishop started his career an architect in the ‘70s and transitioned out of architecture into a career in commercial real estate development, interacting along the way with numerous small businesses – both as a landlord, and for some, as an investor/advisor. Joe received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Texas in 1976. He started his own architectural firm in 1979 that later morphed into real estate development and construction company in Houston. He then started Bishop Development Company in Atlanta in the 90s. Along the way he formed in excess of 30 partnerships and ventures in 7 states.

Joe relocated to Durango in 2007 and enjoys all that SW Colorado has to offer. He is a business advisor at the Small Business Development Center at Fort Lewis College. From 2008 until 2013 he served as the Program Director of the Durango program of SOS Outreach, a mentoring program for at-risk youth, and presently serves on the SOS local advisory board. He has also served on the board of The Animas Water Company and recently served on the board of The iAM Music Institute.