Ron Waldrop is the County Extension Director for University of Illinois Extension in the Lawrence/Richland Unit. In his role as Director, Ron provides leadership in managing the fiscal resources, local staff, and marketing. In addition he is responsible to assess Lawrence/Richland program needs and develop and evaluate educational programming to meet those needs.

Ron began in Extension in 1970 as an Assistant Agricultural Adviser in Fayette County. Ron left Extension for a period of time and worked in the banking and seed industry. Ron returned to Extension in 1982 as Agricultural Adviser in Lawrence County, became Unit Leader in Lawrence in 1990. In 1997 Ron became Unit Leader in the Lawrence/Richland Unit after the two Countys merged, overseeing all Unit programs. Under his leadership, the Extension program has expanded to meet the growing and changing client needs. Besides his management responsibilities, he continues to teach workshops in a variety of subject areas including agricultural awareness, horticulture, agriculture economics, pest management, conservation and environmental issues.

A graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Business Management. Ron also holds a Masters Degree in Extension Education from the University of Illinois.

Ron is a member of the Illinois Extension Agriculture Association (IEAA) and has been President of that association. Ron has been recognized for his work in IEAA by receiving the Distinguished Service Award and Achievement Award.

Locally Ron serves on the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital board, Alderman for the City of Lawrenceville, Southeastern Area Agency for the Aging board and Elder of his local church