Joe is a Wyoming native, born in the agricultural community of Torrington and raised in Cheyenne.  Growing up in Cheyenne instilled in Joe a passion for the sport of rodeo and western culture.  Working the family farm in Veteran on summer breaks growing up, developed a strong work ethic that carried forth throughout his life.

He won’t deny at least part of his work ethic is hereditary.  Joe’s dad, Jack Hertzler served the state of Wyoming as the Commissioner of Agriculture for Stan Hathaway’s administration and ultimately served at the national level as executive leadership in the Farmers Home Administration. Joe fondly remembers some of the sayings his father shared with him over the years – “Don’t ever open a can of worms, you’ll never get them all back in.” And “It’s never the wrong time to do the right thing.”

Joe attended the University of Wyoming, but ultimately became an aircraft mechanic, favoring the hands-on approach to life.  As a mechanic, Joe developed a vision for a software solution to track aircraft maintenance using the internet.  The timing was right and over a 20 year period, the little company he created evolved into an international organization with multiple global business units serving corporate aircraft customers in over 40 countries worldwide.  Joe ultimately sold his business, as one might expect, and now uses the knowledge and skills he developed to help other business and non-profit organizations achieve similar successes.

Joe’s passion for the west and rodeo brought him and his wife Colette to Cody in 2013 for retirement.  They have a small place on the Southfork and in their spare time enjoy their horses and the beautiful mountains surrounding Cody.