Denise Thornton

Founder/CEO

denise@lakewoodbeacon.org

Denise Thornton is the Founder and President of The Beacon of Hope Resource Center.  On February 14, 2006 Denise and her husband, Doug, opened her partially rebuilt home... (more)

Tina Marquardt

Executive Director

tina@lakewoodbeacon.org

Tina has corporate and entrepreneurial sales, advertising and consulting experience.   Ms. Marquardt has worked for 23 consecutive years in the automotive... (more)

Brian James Baldwin

Community Development Manager

Baldwin@lakewoodbeacon.org

Brian Baldwin, Community Development Manager, has over five years of experience working with non-profits and volunteer organizations in China, Minnesota, and Louisiana. In New Orleans, Brian has worked closely with the Regional Planning Commission, the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, neighborhood organizations, and residents to develop GIS that promote neighborhood redevelopment. Brian holds a Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans and dual Bachelors degrees in History and Geography from the State University of New York at Geneseo.

Ashley Christensen

Volunteer Coordinator

Ashley@lakewoodbeacon.org

Martin Huber

Operations Assistant

Martin@lakewoodbeacon.org

Martin holds a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy / Religion from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky.  Martin has over ten years of non profit experience in volunteer management, program management and special event coordination.   Martin has worked for several major non profits including City Year, and Best Buddies.   Martin has volunteered as a hurricane recovery worker for two years before joining Beacon of Hope Resource Center.  Working closely with the Director of Operations, Martin works on fundraising, Technical Assistance, Grant Reporting, and developing partnerships with other non profits.

Heather Huth

Volunteer Cordinator

heather@lakewoodbeacon.org

Heather holds a Business Administration degree in Marketing from the University of New Orleans.  Ms. Huth worked for five years with Ming Products as manager, keeping the books and providing retail and marketing direction.  Following Hurricane Katrina, she joined Beacon of Hope as a key volunteer providing work supervision for our thousands of visiting volunteers.  She joined Beacon’s staff in early spring of 2007 and currently serves as Volunteer Coordinator.  She is responsible for overall direction of the program.

Joey Jenkins

Administrative Assistant

Joey@lakewoodbeacon.org

Joey is a returning employee of Beacon of Hope. Some may remember him as the Equipment Manager/Volunteer Supervisor for the Beacon when we were operating in our original location, the Thornton's residence in Lakewood South.  Joey is a native of New Orleans and recently graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Psychology. He will be working at Beacon of Hope headquarters, as our Administrative Assistant.  

Jason Stopa

PHA Program Coordinator/Community Coordinator

Jason@lakewoodbeacon.org

 Jason is a recent graduate of the Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program at the University of New Orleans.  As a student he specialized in land use, environment, blight and urban agriculture.  He led a project to address distressed neighborhoods and worked on community mapping projects.  He also has 2 years experience as a Relationship Banker with Capital One Bank.  There he provided community outreach through youth financial education programs.  He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a BA in History.