Meet Joe Riker

Joseph grew up in Bellevue and Coldwater. After high school, his military service and professional journey led him to live in Washington, Indiana, and Mississippi. In 2013, following his military service, he returned to Michigan to raise his family.

He and his wife, Leah, have three children and several beloved pets.  

Outside of his professional and community commitments, Joseph pursues a diverse range of active and creative hobbies, including hiking, camping, and travel. A skilled builder, he constructed his “up north” cabin from the ground up, reflecting his interest in home and cabin design from scratch.

Joseph is a dedicated public servant and military veteran with extensive experience in municipal administration, legislative outreach, and logistical leadership. As Clerk for the Charter Township of Brighton, he oversees municipal records, cemeteries, FOIA, manages department budgets, and administers local, state and federal elections. His leadership in this role is backed by several professional credentials, including his status as a Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), Michigan Professional Municipal Clerk (MiPMC) and Certified Elections Registration Administrator (CERA).

Legislative and Community Impact

Prior to his work in township administration, Joseph served as a Community Liaison and Veteran Outreach coordinator for the U.S. House of Representatives. During this time, he acted as a vital link between constituents and government agencies, notably creating and leading two U.S. House Bills that were signed into law by President Donald Trump.

His commitment to the community is further evidenced by his leadership across numerous boards, including serving as the current President of the Livingston County Municipal Clerks Association, Treasurer of the Brighton Area Fire Authority and Chairman of the Livingston County Veteran Services Committee.

Military Service and Specialized Training

A veteran of both the U.S. Army (2004-2007) and U.S. Navy (2008-2013), Joseph’s career is defined by a high level of responsibility and valor. His military service includes deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Japan, and he was awarded three Army Commendation Medals, including one with Valor for heroic actions during combat operations in Iraq. These experiences instilled in him powerful organizational skills and the ability to lead diverse teams in high-pressure environments, ranging from supervising 3M maintenance programs for multi-million-dollar equipment to leading combat vehicle operations in a scout/sniper platoon.

Education and Advocacy

Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University and an Associate of Arts in Social Service from Washtenaw Community College. Beyond his professional duties, he is a passionate volunteer and advocate for veterans, having co-founded the non-profit VETLIFE (past) and holding memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and a member of the local Rotary Club.