James Reaves is the County Director for University of Illinois Extension at Lake County. He has 29 years experience working with land-grant institutions which include University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, University of Georgia and University of Illinois.

He has served in many Extension roles delivering programs in areas such as 4-H, Small Farm, Urban Gardening, Community Resource Development, Horticulture and he served as County Director at University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

As County Director in Lake County his responsibilities include providing leadership and communicating the responsibilities of the local University of Illinois Extension mission. He provides for fiscal entrepreneurship and management, personnel management, and program development and delivery.

Reaves facilitates and establishes relationships with diverse audiences, collaborating and partnering with people to improve lives of individuals and the communities in which they live.

He values open communication on all levels of the job and believes in teamwork and recognition.