Biography

06/06/1947 -

ROCKS, M. Joseph, a Representative from Philadelphia County; born on June 6, 1947; graduated, West Catholic Boys High School, 1965; A.S., Community College of Philadelphia, 1967; attended, Defense Language Institute in California (German linguist) and University of Maryland; B.A., University of Iowa, 1972; served, United States Army Security Agency (1967-1971); vice president and president, Samuel LePera, Inc.; president, Manayunk Business Association; member, 21st Ward Republican Executive Committee; board director, Rudolphy Residence for the Blind – Philadelphia; trustee, Community College of Philadelphia; board director, Center for Early Childhood Services, Inc.; legislative assistant, Republican caucus, Pennsylvania State Senate (1973); budget analyst, Republican caucus, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1974-1975); Southeast regional director, Republican Legislative Field Services, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1976-1978); elected as a Republican to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1979 and 1981 terms; appointed, House Select Committee to Investigate SEPTA (1979); changed party affiliation, becoming a Democrat in 1982; not a candidate for reelection to the House (1982); elected as a Democratic to the Pennsylvania State Senate (1983-1987); changed party affiliation to Republican in the Pennsylvania State Senate (1988-1990); appointed, board, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) (1981-1990); appointed, board, Public School Employees’ Retirement System (1983-1990); appointed, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (1989-1990); appointed, Pennsylvania Heritage Affairs Commission (1989-1990); unsuccessful campaign for reelection, Pennsylvania State Senate (1990); unsuccessful campaign, controller, Philadelphia (1989); unsuccessful campaign, mayor, Philadelphia (1995); CEO, Windabrae Associates; president, Interlink Strategies, Inc. (1992-2000); gubernatorial appointee, board, State Employees’ Retirement System (1997-2000); board chair and CEO, NHS Human Services (2000-2014).