James Regan Jr. graduated from West Babylon High School in 1995. Raised on Lucerne Drive, he comes from a large extended family, many of whom are deeply connected to the West Babylon community.

He earned a Liberal Arts degree from Seton Hall University and a Master’s in Social Work from Stony Brook University. Now a Licensed Master Social Worker, James has spent the past 24 years serving youth and underserved populations in juvenile justice, residential programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health clinics, and homeless services.
In 2016, James founded Lodestar Children’s Services to address a critical shortage of providers for local families with children and teens facing mental health challenges. The vision had been years in the making, and his commitment to improving resources became too powerful to ignore.

Under his leadership, Lodestar has become a vital community resource. To date, the organization has served nearly 1,000 families and provided more than 40,000 home- and community-based visits through the Office of Mental Health and Department of Health. Lodestar employs over 200 staff members who deliver therapy, skill development, and critical support.
Lodestar’s success is anchored in its founding principle: empowerment. The agency thrives through the efforts of volunteers, donors, elected officials, and—most importantly—its dedicated staff. Among its earliest supporters, West Babylon classmates Jay Able and Christen Lambert continue to serve faithfully as volunteer board members.

Looking ahead, James remains focused on expanding Lodestar’s geographic reach and deepening its impact, ensuring even more families gain access to life-changing support.
A proud father of two, James treasures his children. In his free moments, his favorite pursuits are exploring new places near and far, civil discourse, and spending time with family and friends.