Forty Under 40: Javier Reyes, 36

Growing up in Mexico, Javier Reyes witnessed that country’s repeated financial crises. A desire to understand those events and help create a solution led him to study economics.

He was a research analyst for a bank before coming to the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. at Texas A&M. Graduating in 2003, he joined the UA as an assistant professor and spent summers consulting for global organizations like the International Monetary Fund.

But 2009 brought a shift in focus. He was promoted to associate professor and named a director of the Honors College, which sparked his interest in administration.

Since then, he said, “I’ve been trying to learn how to balance teaching, research and service, the three pillars of higher education in the U.S., and representing Walton College to the region, the nation and the world.”

He also serves as adviser to local student chapters of ALPFA, an association of Latin American professionals, and just published a book on Latin American economic development.

A passion for service, to his family and the global community, drives him each day.
“If it’s something that’s only going to benefit me, that’s not going to be enough for me,” Reyes said. “I ask [myself] every morning, how can I move the needle, how can I enhance things for others as I move through the day.”