Board

Mr. Charles (Chuck) Bowen served as the link that connected the African American Communities to the City of Chicago through the Daley Administration.  Before his retirement in December 2004, Mr. Bowen served as the Executive Assistant and Senior Cabinet Member to Mayor Richard M. Daley.  As the Liaison for the Religious Leadership in the Metropolitan Area, he worked specifically with ministers to connect them with city government.

Born in Atlanta, Mr. Bowen moved to Chicago with his family at age 6.  His political career began when he joined an organization called the Young Democrats.  His people skills prepared him for 23 years in the private sector at Importers Somerset, one of the leading producers of beverages.  He also worked as a liaison for the NAACP and the Urban League, served a 4-year term as Deputy Clerk of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, was elected to a 4-year term on the Cook County Board and during his tenure there, developed the first 30’s set-aside affirmative action program, which for the first time included women and minority participation in all county contracts.   

Mr. Bowen and his wife of over 50 years, Verna, live in the Bronzeville area of Chicago where he is a passionate collector of African and African-American art, a member of the Coalition of Religious Leaders of Illinois, the Concerned Clergy For A Better Chicago, Civic Leaders of the Chicagoland Area, and founding member of the National African American Military Museum.

Aaron B Del Mar is an entrepreneur and public servant from Palatine, IL. He attended Indiana University-Bloomington and graduated with a degree in Public Management from their nationally-ranked school of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Del Mar has prioritized service to his hometown community. He was the first minority and youngest person ever elected to the Palatine Village Council, where he served from 2009-2013. He was the former Chairman of the Cook County Republican Party and he currently serves as the Palatine Township Highway Commissioner.  

Aaron has 4 children, Konnor (14), Aaron Jr (12), Isabella (9) and Lilliana (2). In in his free time he enjoys participating in triathlons and other athletic events.

Regner (Ray) Suarez was appointed to the Illinois International Port District Board of Directors in 2015 by Mayor Emanuel. Mr. Suarez was formerly the Chicago Alderman of the 31st Ward from 1991 until 2015. 

Suárez held various city jobs before becoming alderman. He worked for Streets and Sanitation, in the mayor's office as an Administrative Assistant working with Development Action Grants, and Assistant Commissioner of Department of Street and Sanitation. In 1989, he was appointed to the Illinois Job Training Coordinating Council, where he advised the governor how to spend the budget for job-training.

Suárez was born in Yauco, Puerto Rico, and later enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He is a Vietnam Veteran. He and his wife, Marta, live in the Cragin neighborhood.