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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has appointed Alexander Joves as the new executive director of the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS). Joves officially started his role today.
Joves has a career spanning thirty years in both public and private sectors. His experience includes service in the U.S. Coast Guard, positions at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and work with the White House.
“I am pleased to have Alex at the helm of this critical department and look forward to working with him on behalf of our residents,” said President Preckwinkle. “His decades of experience and dedication to public service are vital to ensuring that our communities are able to effectively prepare for, respond to and recover from both human-caused and natural threats.”
Most recently, Joves was regional director for DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Region 5. In this position, he led efforts focused on managing risks related to cyber and physical infrastructure across Illinois and five other Midwestern states. His responsibilities included conducting risk assessments, facilitating information sharing, supporting incident response, helping plan emergency communications statewide, building capacity across sectors, and coordinating security efforts for major events such as the Indianapolis 500, Chicago Marathon, and national special security events.
Previously, Joves served as Director of the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center. There he managed a round-the-clock operations center responsible for incident management coordination, situational awareness, information sharing, White House briefings, national reporting for DHS leadership, critical infrastructure identification and prioritization tasks, as well as vulnerability assessments.
At DHS’s Office of Operations Coordination and Planning he worked first as section chief before becoming deputy chief of staff. He was recognized with the DHS Secretary’s Meritorious Service Silver Medal during his tenure there.
Joves began his professional path in the U.S. Coast Guard where he served as an active duty commissioned officer in roles including search and rescue operations in both Atlantic and Pacific regions; maritime law enforcement; special assistant to a senior military advisor at DHS; team leader at the White House Situation Room National Security Council.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Government from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He also earned a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School before practicing law privately.
Joves lives in suburban Chicago with his wife and three children.
