Meet the Team
Marc Howard
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Marc Howard is the Revenue and Athletic Facilities Coordinator for the Village of Romeoville. Marc has also served as the head boys basketball coach at Romeoville High School for the past 8 years. Marc has over 17 years of real estate, youth mentorship, and coaching experience within the Will County Community. Marc is passionate in regards to youth development, exposure, and community advancement. Marc is dedicated to the investment of our future leaders. As the CEO and founder of the 604 Initiative its Marc’s goal is to engage in community partnerships and activism for the benefit of underprivilege and minority youth. Marc encourages opportunities for youth that promote interpersonal growth, development, and education. The 604 Initiative will foster experiences that can contribute to changing or impacting a young person’s life. He will also help lead the Distinguished Young Men Program for the young men of the 604. Marc is excited about the impact the 604 Initiative will have throughout the Will County and Chicagoland Area.
Noel Maldonado
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Noel Maldonado is an athletics and revenue management professional with over 20 year of experience serving as an Athletic Supervisor and Manager of Revenue and Athletic Facilities for the Village of Romeoville. Noel is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional designated by the National Parks and Recreation Association. While volunteering as youth athletic coach and for nonprofit organizations throughout his 20 years in Romeoville, Noel prioritizes teaching our youth the value of sportsmanship through teamwork, communication, dedication, and fun. He is along with Marc Howard are the founders of the 604 Initiative and believes in taking a proactive approach to developing ongoing relationships, and he looks forward to working with youth involved in the 604 initiative to have them become productive and positive adults within our communities. As the COO for the 604 initiative Noel looks forward to working with community and business leaders in the Will County, to help fund and sponsor programs and events developed by the 604.
Bridgett Beene
Executive Director
Bridgett Beene is an early talent development consultant with more than 17 years of experience in higher education, career development, and human resources. She has dedicated her career to helping young adults identify rewarding employment opportunities and develop career-advancing workplace readiness skills. Bridgett was born and raised in Joliet and proudly served her community for more than 12 years as a director at Joliet Junior College. As the founder of Bridgett Beene Consulting, Bridgett equips motivated, early talent professionals with the tools needed to enhance their level of professionalism, stand out amongst the competition, and advance their careers with a background in higher education and business, Bridgett will champion 604 Initiative's leadership development, career exploration, and employment/internship programs. She will also help lead the mentoring efforts and spearhead the G.A.L. (Grow and Lead) program for young women.
Demetris Anderson
Board Trustee
Demetris Anderson is a law-enforcement professional with over 17 years’ experience. For over a decade, Demetris has served as a school liaison officer and juvenile officer. Demetris is a proud member of the Illinois School Resource Officers Association (ILSROA) and the Illinois Juvenile Officers Association (IJOA). Demetris has a passion for mentoring our youth and using his platform to help reduce recidivism and developing our youth to be productive citizens of society. Working and volunteering with youth in roles that help them to realize their potential and support them in setting and achieving their goals has always been Demetris’s priority when participating with great organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters / Mentor 2.0, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the Chicago Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL), and numerous other outstanding organizations, all while raising three beautiful children of his own. Demetris plans to contribute to the 604 Initiative mentoring young men in the 604 Distinguished Young Men Program. He will also build relationships and support organizations with similar goals of developing youth as well as our communities in Will County and the surrounding Chicagoland Area.