Jesse Merced is no stranger to working with the community. Since his early days, back at Hialeah Senior High School, he was involved and excelled in the swim team, marching band and was the lead American Sign Language interpreter for school functions and plays.

After graduation from high school, Jesse attended Digital Media Arts College where he received a degree in graphic design and began working for consumer firm where he was involved in public relations and event planning.

As a young man, his background in competitive swimming and community involvement encouraged him to join a gay swim team, “Nadadores.” Swimming gave Jesse not only serenity but also the chance to share goals with a strong network of friends and like-minded individuals. His talents and experience in graphic design enabled him to work closely with event promoters to develop advertising materials for a plethora of parties and community functions.

With his heart, motivation and drive, Jesse continuously volunteered with charitable fundraisers including AIDS Walk, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Special Olympics.

“Working in the community is important to me in a lot of ways,” said Jesse. “When I worked at my previous job, my focus was to work closely with our marketing department and the company had a program called ‘Community Care’.

“And I worked along with a dear friend of mine at community events and raised money for good causes. When people would come up and thank us for our support, I felt it was such an honor to work for a company that was so involved.”

Jesse continued to say that shortly afterwards, his friend passed away and they were so close, and the friend was so influential in his life, that he continued in honor of departed friend.

However, “Working in the community has always been a part of my life in a lot of different ways. I was part of a single- parent family and I really didn’t have a family to support me and they weren’t really supportive on any decisions I made. So giving back to the community for me was more benefitting to me personally along with doing it for my friend.”

In addition to swimming, Jesse also likes to work out. “I work out almost every day now. I like to jog in the mornings on the beach for about 10 minutes then workout for an hour. My workout mostly consists of cardio, abdominal and muscle training.”

As the Executive Assistant to Palace General Manager Ivan Cano, Jesse is a dynamic member of the Palace team, working closely with all staff members, where he grants a distinctive and fresh perspective to all facets of the venue’s event productions.

“I’ve only been here a month and a half but in that short period, it’s been very eye-opening and many doors have opened for me. I’ve been able to bring my talents from my old job over here and multiply it by 20. Plus, I really love the people I work with.”

Most recently, Jesse has been distinguished as a leading finalist of the “Inferno Puerto Rico Model Search” competing for fashion shows, print ads and the opportunity to continue to set himself aside as a successful gay model, dancer and community activist.

Jesse credits being independent for much of his success. He said he has pushed himself to be success and to prove, not only to his family but also the community, that a person can do it on their own and to go after their dreams.

“I think right now, my biggest success is that I’ve been able to prove to youth that you can do it on your own. If you don’t have the family support system that you feel you need, you still have your friends and you must surround yourself with positivity. Then you too can be successful.”