Joe Weller earned the bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1968 and began his career with the Carnation Company in sales. By 1981 he was named to Carnation’s board of directors, and in 1989 he was promoted to executive vice president. In 1985 Nestlé acquired the Carnation Company. In 1989 Weller became managing director and chief operating officer of Nestlé Australia Ltd. In 1992 he returned to Nestlé USA headquarters as president and chief operating officer. He became president and chief executive officer in 1994 and chairman in 1995. He retired in 2006.
He wrote A Blueprint for Success and self-published it to give to Nestlé employees as a legacy of his 11 years as chairman and 37 years with the company. During Weller’s tenure at Nestlé USA, the company enjoyed nine consecutive years of financial growth and was named one of America’s Most Admired Food Companies by Fortune magazine for eight consecutive years.