Lake County Executive and Leadership Team

Angela Cooper, the Director, Finance Administrative Services & Chief Financial Officer at Lake County, oversees the fiscal health and budgetary planning for all public land acquisition projects. Cooper directs the allocation of tax-funded resources to ensure the long-term sustainability of forest preserve operations. By managing complex financial reporting and audit processes, the Director, Finance Administrative Services & Chief Financial Officer maintains strict compliance with governmental accounting standards. This leadership role involves providing critical financial insights to the board to support strategic decisions regarding land expansion and maintenance. Angela Cooper executes rigorous cost-control measures that maximize the impact of every dollar spent on environmental restoration. Through the oversight of administrative services, Cooper ensures that internal operations remain efficient and responsive to public needs. The Director, Finance Administrative Services & Chief Financial Officer secures the financial foundation necessary for the district to continue protecting vital natural resources for future generations.

Phillip DeRuntz, the President at Lake County, leads the board of directors in establishing the overarching vision for public open-space management and land conservation. DeRuntz directs the legislative agenda and policy development that governs the use of all district-owned properties. By overseeing the collaborative efforts of the board, the President ensures that all land acquisition strategies align with the environmental priorities of the local community. This leadership role involves representing the district in high-level regional discussions to advocate for sustainable development and public access. Phillip DeRuntz executes strategic initiatives that balance recreational needs with the protection of sensitive ecosystems. Through the coordination of board activities, DeRuntz fosters a culture of accountability and transparency in all governmental actions. The President remains dedicated to driving the long-term growth of the forest preserve system while maintaining the trust of the public through effective and ethical leadership.

Erik Karlson, the Chief Technology Officer at Lake County, directs the modernization of digital infrastructure across all forest preserve facilities. Karlson architects scalable cloud solutions to support public access to land management data and internal operational efficiency. By overseeing the integration of advanced geospatial mapping tools, the Chief Technology Officer enables precise monitoring of environmental conservation efforts throughout the district. This leadership role involves coordinating with external vendors to secure network integrity and protect sensitive governmental information. Erik Karlson drives the implementation of automated systems that streamline administrative workflows for the entire organization. Through the deployment of robust hardware and software frameworks, Karlson ensures that the district maintains high-performance connectivity across all remote locations. The Chief Technology Officer remains focused on leveraging emerging technologies to enhance the overall visitor experience while maintaining the fiscal responsibility required for public sector digital transformation.

Chris Blanding, the Chief Information Officer at Lake County, manages the comprehensive data architecture and information security protocols for the entire forest preserve district. Blanding oversees the strategic alignment of information systems with the broader mission of public land stewardship and accessibility. By directing the development of secure databases, the Chief Information Officer ensures that all public records and land usage data remain accurate and readily available for community review. This leadership role requires constant collaboration with the board to implement data-driven policies that improve organizational transparency. Chris Blanding executes complex cybersecurity initiatives to safeguard the district against evolving digital threats. Through the optimization of internal communication platforms, Blanding facilitates seamless information flow between departments. The Chief Information Officer prioritizes the creation of resilient digital environments that support long-term conservation goals and efficient governmental service delivery across the entire regional footprint.