March 31, 2026
Get to know Manager of the Office of PA Project Implementation Joe Banks.
What did you want to be growing up?
I wanted to play baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies. I dreamed every day that I would get to play at the Vet. However, my baseball career ended after freshman year of high school when I focused on soccer, which I received a college scholarship for and continued to play for a while beyond college.
What was your first job?
During high school, I worked at Frank’s Time Out, a sandwich/pizza shop in Berlin, New Jersey. I worked the fryer on Friday and Saturday nights for $5.25 an hour. They did not allow me to learn the pizza station or the grill, but they did allow me to wash dishes.
How did you end up at DVRPC?
I did land development for Taylor Wiseman & Taylor, but then the housing crisis hit. I stayed in my role until 2010, but then found myself unemployed. A former coworker sent me the DVRPC job posting in late 2010. I interviewed in January 2011, and then I went to Brazil for three weeks. I heard from HR while I was there, so I basically came off the beach to accept the call. I’ve been here 15 years now.
What is your favorite part of working at DVRPC?
I have two favorites. First, the people. During the onboarding process while I was meeting different people, they really sold me on how exciting it is to work here, and that excitement and enthusiasm has continued to shine through people throughout my time here. Second, because we get to work on projects that go to construction, getting to use, whether it be by walking, biking, or running, the facilities that we have built throughout the region is very cool.
What is something colleagues don’t know about you?
I am the 2026 Philly Burrito League Champion. Basically, I ran the most segments on the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk during the last two weeks of January this year. I ran close to 300 miles on the segment. I won a year’s worth of Chipotle and multiple pairs of shoes and running gear from a number of companies.
What is your favorite leisure activity?
Running in the woods.
What is your recent obsession?
Did I mention I like to run? I ran my first 100k last year in the spring, and I ran a second one in the fall. I’m currently on the waitlist to do my first 100-miler.
What is the last book you read?
Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom, the latest in the Wayside books series. My first-grader loves to read and on weekends she lets me alternate pages with her, which has brought back a ton of really cool memories.
What are the top three places you want to travel to?
I would love to go back to Costa Rica with my family because that’s the first trip my wife and I took, and it is the first place out of the country that she traveled to. I also would like to visit France and national parks out west.
What is a recent gift you’ve given or received?
My cousin recently had a baby, so I made them dinner. I made butternut squash soup and baked them chocolate chip cookies.
What is most meaningful to you in your house?
Definitely my wife and my two daughters.
What are you looking forward to the most in the next year?
Hanging out with my girls, running in the woods, and eating a whole lot of burritos.