Written by local Key West writer, Joe D Wells, aka Island Joe. Joe D. Wells, Jr. (aka Island Joe) was born in Arkansas in 1959. His childhood involved a lot of moving, attending perhaps 10 different schools, before graduating high school from Colombia Military Academy. He worked various jobs, making his stake as a off Wall Street Investment Banker, traveling the world, several times over. His knowledge of Wall Street is self taught He moved his family to Key West, Florida in the early 90's, then losing his first wife, Elizabeth,, to cancer, he was left to raise three children, which he will tell you is no easy job and perhaps, he could have done better, but he sure could have done a lot worse. Everyone seems fairly normal. His family started Island Joe's Coffee Roasting Company around 2005, which has gained international fame for their ability to roast fine gourmet coffee and espresso.