Joseph Ripa graduated from Camden High School in 1957 and studied Labor Relations and Real Estate Sales at Rutgers University. Joe and Esther, his wife of over 54 years, raised two daughters, Kelly and Linda, and are the proud grandparents of Michael, Sergio, Lola Grace, Joaquin, Gianna Maria and Gigli. Joe was born and raised in Camden City and has been a lifelong resident of Camden County. He and Essie raised their daughters in Berlin Borough where they were long time residents. Today they live in nearby Voorhees Township.
After serving our country in the U.S. Army, he began a long career in public transportation. In 1983, Joe was elected Vice President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 880. By 1991, Joe was elected President and Business Agent. Joe served as Vice President of Central Labor Council of Camden and Gloucester Counties, on the Board of Directors of the Union Organization for Social Services, and as Chairman of the South Jersey Labor Council. Joe was also Treasurer and Manager of Peoples Transport Federal Credit Union.
Joe also served as a Trustee for Camden County College, as a Member of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, as a Commissioner of the South Jersey Transportation Authority, a volunteer for the United Way and as a Meal Captain at the Cathedral Kitchen (Soup Kitchen) in Camden.
Joe was elected and served as a Camden County Freeholder from January 2004 to June 2009 and was then appointed to serve as County Clerk in June 2009. He was elected to a full term as County Clerk in 2009, re-elected in 2014 and is proudly continuing his fight for the working families of Camden County. As Freeholder, Joe helped streamline county government to do more with less. As County Clerk, Joe has been focused on updating and modernizing the Clerk's Office paying special attention to the energy efficiency and productivity of the staff and technology in use within the office. He also remains focused on encouraging active voter participation through the Camden County Vote By Mail Program.
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