Management Bios

Wayne Marquez, Chief Executive Officer

Taking what he has learned from successfully creating innovative youth programs and children’s software, Mr. Marquez is determined to reach millions of youth with the creation of AmericanDream101.com.  Mr. Marquez has received numerous awards including being chosen as one of New York’s “Forty under Forty” up and coming executives by Crains New York Business.

In 1996, Mr. Marquez established InfoQuest 2000 Inc., developers of children’s software located in Boulder, Colorado.  Their first title, The Super Safe Kids Club, released in 1997 was the nation’s top selling safety software for young children and received both local and national media coverage.  InfoQuest 2000 was acquired by Edview, a Minneapolis Internet company in 1998 that also hired Mr. Marquez as their President.  Edview was later sold to Apple Computer and their software incorporated in OS X.

In 1991, Mr. Marquez started a progressive nonprofit youth organization called Directions for Our Youth, Inc., raising over $6.4 million as Executive Director.  Directions’ has been immensely successful, with over 60,000 youth completing their innovative drop-out prevention and leadership building programs. School systems around the country wanted to replicate these programs in their communities once Directions was selected “one of America’s best run charities” by Financial World magazine.  With his vision institutionalized, and programs operating in 64 schools across the country for 12,000 inner-city youth a year, and in three languages, Mr. Marquez stepped down as National President in 1996.  He returned to Directions just before 9/11 to help with a reorganization that kept him there until April 2004.  The organization is celebrating its fourteenth anniversary this year.

A graduate of SUNY at Albany and NYU Law School, Mr. Marquez worked in the Brooklyn District Attorney's office in New York City before he taught History and Music as a high school teacher in New York City's Hell Kitchen.

Joshua Tennent, Chief Technology Officer

Joshua is a highly experienced computer professional with a wide breadth of experience in software development.  Prior to joining American Dream.com, Mr. Tennent has filled numerous roles in major web development projects including systems architect, technical lead, project manager, systems programmer, business analyst, and product designer.

He specializes in building intuitive Internet, Intranet and Knowledge Management systems that enhance the flow of information throughout a corporation.  His clients include Chase Manhattan Bank, Republic National Bank, the Markle Foundation, Fit For Business, Mental Notes.  Joshua has also recently designed complex Intranets for Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Venture Fund, GE Capital - Commercial Real Estate Financial Services and Merrill Lynch.

In 1997, Mr. Tennent was a co-founder of Mental Notes Inc., a software design firm that has developed two commercial products for Lotus Notes. JavaSpeak was given the Editors Choice Gold Award for “Best Development Tool” by the Lotus Notes & Domino Advisor magazine. ScriptCoach was the first commercially successful LotusScript code library and JavaSpeak for Domino.

Mr .Tennent is a frequent industry speaker at developer conferences and trade shows around the country.  Joshua also studied Classical Music Composition, Performance and Theory at San Francisco State University.

Dina Slater, Director of Content

Dina brings a unique mix of creativity combined with superb communications and analytical skills. Dina has a degree in Mass Communications from Boston University and over 10 years of experience in developing, writing, implementing, managing and marketing successful educational programs for youth and adults.

Prior to working for American Dream.Com, she managed educational services for an international not-for-profit organization, creating courses, lectures, seminars, and retreats for personal growth and human development, traveling to implement these programs on four continents. She also worked as a project manager for an e-business solutions firm which specialized in business analysis, site development, technical training and consulting.  Before this, she spent many years in the corporate training department with WM Filenes Department Stores.

For almost four years, Ms. Slater has administered all aspects of content management for AD101. She has hired, trained and supervised over 25 writers.  She performed senior editorial review and final approval of all content for quality control. She has co-authored the American Dream 101 workbook, curriculum, procedures manual as well as the training program for instructors. She has spent significant time in the classrooms meeting and speaking with students, teachers, and principals to assess their needs, get feedback and suggestions to constantly improve the program.  She ensured that content was creative, original, realistic, educational, and entertaining.

LIFE IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION.
SO ENJOY THE RIDE!

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