2026 Ambassador of Service: John L. Reyes
John Reyes is an Ohio native having been born in Steubenville. He grew up in Stark County, graduating from Sandy Valley High School and completing his undergraduate work in political science and economics at The University of Akron. Thereafter, he attended and graduated from The Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1978. He practiced law in the fields of commercial litigation, products liability defense and public law with the law firm of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs in Akron from May 1978 to October 2021.
John is married to Linda, a Cleveland native who retired as infection control officer for Fairview Hospital, a part of the Cleveland Clinic Group. They reside in West Akron and have four children and two grandsons.
John began his Rotary career in April 1994 with the Rotary Club of Akron and has served in various capacities, including Club President, a member of the Club’s Board of Directors and a member of the Akron Rotary Foundation Board of Directors.
In addition, John has had the pleasure of serving as District Governor in 2019-2020, Assistant Governor, a member of the District Finance Committee, a member of the District Grants Committee, the District Bylaws Committee, the District Nominating Committee, the District Youth Protection Committee, and was Chair of the District GSE Team in 2012.
John has been active in many community activities including serving on the Board of The Well CDC Inc., Walsh Jesuit High School, the St. Luke’s Lutheran Community Foundation, Stewart’s Caring Place, The Lawrence School, and also served as a member of Summit County Planning Commission, including chairing its Long Range Planning Subcommittee and its Rules Committee. John also serves on the Summit County Board of Building Appeals.
John is both honored and humbled to be selected as a recipient of the 2025 Jim Redmond Ambassador of Service Award. He looks forward to continuing to support the Rotary Camp and Rotary activities in District 6630.
Congratulations John and thank you for all you do for Rotary and the Akron Community!