Joel works in commerical real estate investments, primarily branded hotels. He received his MBA and his undergraduate degree in Near Eastern Studies from BYU. Joel was grew up in Canada, London, England, and Provo; he was born in Toronto, Canada.

Shannon is active in family and church. She graduated from BYU in Communications and Broadcast Journalism. Shannon grew up in Orem and Provo, and was born in Southern California. She and Joel are the parents of six wonderful children.