Joseph Owle, who goes by Joey, joined the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy as a Physical Scientist in March 2024. Duty-stationed in Cherokee, North Carolina, Joey serves in the technical assistance group to support Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and Tribal and intertribal organizations in realizing their energy development and production ambitions and accomplishing their energy independence goals.
Prior to joining the Office of Indian Energy team, Joey spent the last 6 years serving as the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Principal Chief Richard Sneed and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
In this role, he oversaw the management of the Tribe’s Natural Resources, Renewable Energy, and Agriculture departments. Joey gained invaluable insight in working with federal agencies, state agencies, and nonprofit groups on the Tribe’s priorities and projects through meaningful consultations and legal agreements.
Prior to serving as Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Band, he worked in his community as a contractor implementing sustainable agriculture projects centered on diabetes prevention, and then as an Extension Agent assisting Tribal farmers and gardeners. In October 2023, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society honored Joey with its prestigious Professional of the Year Award.
Joey earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental sciences from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and a Master of Science in of crop science, with a focus on agroecology and sustainable agriculture from North Carolina State University.
Born and raised in Cherokee, Joey was motivated by words spoken by a former Principal Chief in grade school: “Go off, get educated, come back and make a difference.” It is through the power of these words that Joey looks forward to working with Tribal Nations throughout Indian Country and Alaska fostering efforts to make a difference in their communities.