JESSE MANZANO-PLAZA
Jesse's experience managing advocacy, public affairs and political campaigns, as well as in senior positions both in the public and private sectors, along with his military background, bring a unique skill set to Tridente Strategies.
Vast experience in state and local government
Jesse brings over 20 years of experience working with state and local governments. From managing successful political campaigns across the state, to serving in various high-level positions in both the public and private sectors, Jesse is a recognized expert in the fields of government affairs and politics.
Jesse has extensive experience working with private sector clients on a wide array of issues in front of municipal and county governments in South Florida, including procurement and public-private partnerships. He has also worked as campaign manager on several local and statewide campaigns, including, most recently, Francis Suarez for City of Miami Mayor, Carlos Hernandez for City of Hialeah Mayor, and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez's reelection campaigns in 2016 and 2012, as well as the $1.2 Billion Miami-Dade County School Board Bond and Crandon Park Tennis Center referendums.
Jesse served as Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Resorts World Miami, a subsidiary of the Genting Group, where he worked closely with community and political leaders throughout Florida.
His public sector experience includes working as a Speechwriter in Governor Jeb Bush’s communications office, and later, as the state’s International Business Liaison in the Governor’s Economic Development Office. Jesse was appointed Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation in 2007 and previously worked for City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz as a Senior Aide.
Over a decade dedicated to service
Since 2004, Jesse has served as an officer in the Florida Army National Guard, completing two operational deployments: to northern Iraq (2009-10) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (2014) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He has also been activated in support of numerous state active duty missions, including hurricane relief operations, the Republican National Convention in 2012 and, most recently, the state’s response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. He has successfully completed the Army’s rigorous Air Assault qualification course, graduated with honors from the Defense Information School and was awarded a Bronze Star for merit in 2010. In 2020, Jesse became the first field grade officer in the National Guard to earn the Expert Soldier Badge.
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