Joe Ruggiero is a lifelong Dutchess County resident whose family moved from the Bronx to Wappinger in 1971 seeking a better quality of life. He graduated from Wappingers Central School District and Dutchess Community College. Joe holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York Institute of Technology. He, and his wife, Stephanie, and son, Michael, reside in the Town of Wappinger.

Joe entered public service in 1994, serving four terms as Wappinger Town Councilman and three terms as Town Supervisor of Wappinger. He passed tax breaks for seniors and veterans, and allowed seniors to deduct medical costs. Joe provided relief to hundreds of property owners by overhauling antiquated zoning laws. He expanded the Town’s infrastructure, overhauled the Master Plan, and enhanced the protections for public drinking water. 

In 2008, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli appointed Joe an Assistant Comptroller for the State of New York. Joe helped establish a compliance unit for the retirement system to protect the retirements of thousands of workers. He encouraged local governments to share services to lower costs for taxpayers.