West Cook News

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 assumed his role on September 22, 2025.

Joves has three decades of experience across public and private sectors. His background includes service in the U.S. Coast Guard, roles 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 that capacity, he managed risk related to cyber and physical infrastructure in Illinois and five other Midwestern states, focusing on risk assessments, information sharing, incident response support, and coordination for major events such as the Indianapolis 500 and Chicago Marathon.

He also directed the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center, overseeing a round-the-clock national operations center responsible for emergency management coordination and situational awareness. In this role, he coordinated briefings for the White House, DHS leadership, FEMA senior officials, and managed critical infrastructure vulnerability assessments.

Joves’s first position at DHS was within the Office of Operations Coordination and Planning as section chief before becoming deputy chief of staff. He was recognized with the DHS Secretary’s Meritorious Service Silver Medal during his tenure.

Earlier in his career, Joves served as an active duty commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard with assignments including search and rescue operations in both Atlantic and Pacific regions. He also worked as a special assistant to a senior military advisor at DHS and led teams supporting the White House Situation Room National Security Council.

Joves holds a Bachelor of Science in Government from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School. He previously practiced law in the private sector.

He lives in suburban Chicago with his wife and three children.