Free event.
This event will be a genuine conversation. It is not a lecture.
Joe Forte is a great neighbor and a great member of the neighborhood potluck group. Many in Tempe know him as the founder of Keep Tempe Beautiful. Every month, this non-profit organization organizes multiple volunteer cleanup service projects in public parks and other places. Joe is also the admin of the Tempe Volunteer Enthusiasts Meetup Group. And Joe recently was a candidate in the election for Tempe City Council.
Join Joe for a fascinating discussion about volunteering in the Tempe community and volunteerism in general.
What to bring? This event is focused on conversation and is not intended as a full dinner. But the hosts are providing delicious wood fired pizzas from Cascadia Pizza Co. You are welcome to bring any type of food, dessert or snack to share. But it is completely optional to do so.
More about Joe Forte:
Joe Forte embodies the grit and heart of Tempe, a city where innovation meets community spirit. Born in Westchester County, New York, to Italian immigrant parents who arrived in America chasing the American Dream, Joe learned early the values of hard work, resilience, and family. He channeled that drive into a distinguished career, serving honorably in the U.S. Navy. There, amid the rigors of military life, Joe honed the core principles of honor, courage, and commitment that would define his path. Discharged with a deep sense of duty, he traded fatigues for flip-flops, relocating to Tempe over two decades ago. What began as a fresh start quickly blossomed into a profound love for this vibrant college town, as a student of Arizona State University and a mosaic of cultures.
In Tempe, Joe didn't just settle, he built. Transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, he co-founded a video production and AV services company, bootstrapping it into a thriving small business that injects hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy through job creation and community support. He also runs a public adjusting firm, serving as a licensed advocate who levels the playing field for homeowners and businesses during insurance claims. As a small-business owner, Joe understands the pulse of Tempe's entrepreneurial ecosystem: the thrill of growth, the sting of red tape, and the urgent need for policies that empower rather than encumber.
But Joe's impact extends far beyond boardrooms. In 2020, inspired by a calling to give back, he founded Keep Tempe Beautiful, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that's transformed litter-strewn streets into pristine parks. Under his leadership as executive director, the organization has mobilized thousands of volunteers, including ASU students and families, removing over 20,000 pounds of trash out of city parks and streets, planting close to 200 trees, boosting recycling rates, and beautifying neighborhoods. His vision? A cleaner, greener Tempe where every resident feels ownership in our shared spaces.
Joe's commitment shines through his volunteerism. As a commissioner on Tempe's Development Review Commission, he shapes land-use policies that balance growth with neighborhood preservation. He’s a proud member of the Tempe Diablos, a civic organization that raises over $1.5 million annually to fund scholarships, teacher grants, and youth programs across the city, directly supporting thousands of Tempe students and educators. He’s also a board member of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, championing youth programs, and serves on the Tempe Sister Cities board, forging international ties that enrich cultural exchanges.