Joe Shellhart earned a Master of Business Administration in human resources and asset management and a Bachelor of Business Administration in business administration and management from the University of the Incarnate Word. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in business from Portland State University and an Associate of Arts and Sciences in fire science from Portland Community College.

Joe currently works as a chief operating officer in the coffee industry. He previously worked as a small business owner, chief human resources officer, chief people officer, marketing director, human resource and marketing manager, marketing and public relations coordinator, and non-emergency coordinator. He served as a squad leader in the U.S. Army.

Joe's campaign for Texas State Representative, District 118, is his first time running for public office.