Meet the Heaps

With over three decades of experience, we help organizations confidently navigate the complex ecosystems of public safety and technology - bridging strategy, innovation, and impact.

Joe Heaps

President & Chief Executive Officer

Joe Heaps brings 30+ years of experience at the intersection of technology, public policy, and national security.

A former Naval Aviator and U.S. Department of Justice professional, Joe is known for his technical expertise and ability to unite stakeholders to address complex challenges.

Career Highlights:

• Selected to work with White House and public safety officials to draft legislation establishing FirstNet

• Assisted the Federal Communications Commission in creating the National Broadband Plan

• Co-chaired the U.S. Department of Justice’s Counter-UAS Operational Test & Evaluation Committee

• Served as a U.S. Delegate to multiple World Radio Conferences

• Managed the Technology Chapter of the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice

Joy's operational expertise is informed by her years of service in two U.S. Presidential Administrations (2010-2018), where she was a highly awarded professional at the Executive Office of the President. 

Joy has built a distinguished career in a variety of sectors, including civil rights, disaster management, and child advocacy. During her time at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Joy led significant outreach initiatives for searching for and protecting children on the autism spectrum and created the Tribal Fellowship Program—an innovative effort that increased geographic, professional, and tribal diversity in the center’s advocacy work.

At Heaps Strategy Group Joy is responsible for managing operations and ensuring that client needs are promptly met with personalized care. Joy’s work is anchored in a spirit of service and passion for a safer world.