Joe Ierardi, Council District 5

Originally from North Haven, Connecticut, Joe graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Georgia in 1994. He majored in Political Science. Upon graduation, he worked for United States Surgical Corporation in New York City as a contract administrator. 

In 1996, he moved to Jesup and began working with Wayne Memorial Hospital. He took an entry level job working follow-up for large insurance claims in the billing department.  During his time at Wayne Memorial Joe has worked in various departments, including Registration, Materials Management, and the Business Office to name a few. In 2002, he became the Chief Operating Officer of the hospital.  While employed, he pursued and attained a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. In the 2004 he served as the project manager for the building of a replacement facility that opened in September of 2007. 

He became the Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Memorial Hospital in August 2007 and currently holds that position.  He is a recipient of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals 2015 Georgia CEO of the Year, in addition to being named the Georgia Health Care Councils 2021 Georgia Hospital CEO of the year.

 Joe is extremely active is his community. He currently serves on the Industrial Development Authority, and on Friday nights in the fall he serves as the color man for the local Radio Broadcast of Wayne County Yellow Jacket football.

 Joe is married to the former Gena Rigdon.  They have two children -    daughter Alexandra who graduated from TCU in 2021 and currently resides in Dallas and a son Bradley who is a Sophomore at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.