About

Jose Wilmer Meléndez Sanago, is well known for his sense of justice, listening skills, and fact-based opinions. His ability to argue and his assertiveness are among his most notable qualities, and he prides himself as an unwavering seeker of truth, which makes him a persistent individual in pursuit of conclusions that are always fair. 

Wilmer obtained a B.B.A degree with a major in accounting in 2012 and commenced his legal studies in 2013. He gained legal experience while studying law, working as a paralegal at Sanago Flores Attorneys at Law in San Juan, PR. In 2016, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico Law School. 

He began his career at GENCO General Contractors, which at the time, had 30 employees in Puerto Rico and the US. The role allowed him to merge his knowledge of accounting and law, starting as an assistant controller and legal specialist. Due to the rapid growth of the company, he became involved in discussions and the planning of strategies for administrative decisions. 

Due to the nature of GENCO’s business, Wilmer gained expertise in federal areas, such as SBA 8(a) program, and labour laws in different states where GENCO employed individuals. He mastered Puerto Rican and federal labour laws, and everything applicable to Federal Government contracts. Quickly, he became a key component of GENCO’s growth.  

In 2018, he was promoted as the director of the human resources department and company attorney, with the task of creating and structuring both departments. Wilmer undoubtedly contributed to the transformation of GENCO, which evolved from a family business to a company with a presence in Puerto Rico and 14 US states, annually managing over 200 employees and $25m in revenue.  

He created innovative structures, including the implementation of HRIS systems to reduce costs and increase efficiency, and implemented compliance laws and administrative policies that now form the foundation of GENCO’s culture and excellence. 

In January 2020, Wilmer was appointed as the chief legal officer of GENCO. His first challenge was ensuring labour continuity during the pandemic and creating a structure that allowed the workforce to continue producing. He established cutting-edge policies and transformed the company’s traditional working model into a completely modern, efficient, and highly beneficial one. 

Alongside the CEO and COO, Wilmer contributes to GENCO by assessing risk in administrative decisions, ensuring that the company has the legal and labour structure to support growth.