Joel Estes graduated from Sahuaro High School in 1982. While at Sahuaro, he was Student Body President, Homecoming King, a member of the National Honor Society and was Valedictorian. He participated on the golf team, wrestling team and was a pitcher on the baseball team where he earned All-State Honors and helped lead the Cougars to a state championship.
Following graduation, Joel attended the University of Arizona on a baseball scholarship and was a member of the 1986 National Championship Team. Later, Joel played professional baseball until 1990 when he returned to Tucson to begin his new career as a financial advisor and producing manager for Merrill Lynch. Currently he is Vice-President of Investments at Wells Fargo.