Lake County Executive and Leadership Team

Angela Cooper, the Director, Finance Administrative Services & Chief Financial Officer at Lake County, manages the fiscal health and budgetary allocations for the forest preserve district. Overseeing the procurement of land and the distribution of public funds, the Chief Financial Officer ensures strict adherence to governmental accounting standards. This leadership role involves presenting financial reports to the board of directors to guide strategic land acquisition decisions. By optimizing revenue streams and expenditure tracking, Angela Cooper directly impacts the long-term sustainability of public open-space projects. The Chief Financial Officer coordinates with administrative teams to maintain fiscal transparency and regulatory compliance. Through the rigorous oversight of financial operations, Cooper secures the necessary resources for ongoing environmental restoration efforts. This dedication to financial precision supports the overall mission of the district, ensuring that public investments yield maximum value for the community.

Phillip DeRuntz, the President at Lake County, leads the board of directors in setting the strategic vision for public land preservation and governmental policy. Overseeing the governance of the forest preserve district, the President ensures that all initiatives align with the needs of the constituents. This leadership role involves facilitating board meetings and representing the district in regional policy discussions. By fostering collaboration among elected officials, Phillip DeRuntz directly impacts the development of public open-space policies. The President monitors the execution of long-term conservation goals, ensuring that the organization remains accountable to the public. Through the coordination of legislative priorities, DeRuntz drives the expansion of protected areas across the county. This executive oversight ensures that the district maintains its commitment to environmental stewardship while balancing the diverse requirements of the local population and the broader regional ecosystem.

Phillip Blake, the Chief Information Officer at Lake County, directs the digital transformation of governmental land management systems. Overseeing the integration of geographic information systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures accurate tracking of public open-space assets across the district. This leadership role involves securing sensitive data while optimizing internal workflows for the board of directors. By modernizing network infrastructure, Phillip Blake directly impacts the efficiency of public service delivery. The Chief Information Officer coordinates with external vendors to maintain robust cybersecurity protocols, protecting the integrity of governmental records. Through the implementation of scalable cloud solutions, Blake supports the long-term technological requirements of the forest preserve district. This strategic focus on digital reliability enables the organization to maintain transparency and accessibility for all citizens interacting with the public land records and administrative portals.

Marlene James, the Chief Technology Officer at Lake County, architects the technical framework supporting environmental monitoring and public engagement platforms. Overseeing the deployment of hardware and software solutions, the Chief Technology Officer ensures seamless connectivity across all forest preserve facilities. This leadership role involves evaluating emerging technologies to enhance the management of public open-space assets. By streamlining technical operations, Marlene James directly impacts the operational capacity of the district. The Chief Technology Officer collaborates with departmental heads to align technical capabilities with the broader mission of land conservation. Through the maintenance of high-performance computing environments, James facilitates data-driven decision-making for the board of directors. This commitment to technical excellence ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of governmental efficiency, providing reliable digital tools for staff and the public alike.