Biography

J.J. De La Cerda was born and raised in Pharr, Texas. He was a proud migrant worker up until graduating from PSJA North High school in 2001. Upon graduation, J.J. enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served with the 1^st Marine Division, 2^nd Battalion, 11^th Marines (Artillery) from 2001-2005 and was deployed twice to Iraq. He was awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/One Gold Star, Combat Action Ribbon (Iraq), Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Two Bronze Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (Iraq), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/One Bronze Star, Certificate of Commendation (2), and Rifle Expert Badge (2^nd Award).

            After honorably separating from the Marine Corps at the rank of Sergeant, J.J. worked as a Drill Instructor for the Amador Rodriguez Juvenile Boot Camp in San Benito, Texas for over a year. During this time, J.J. began pursuing a post-secondary education at the University of Texas Pan-American and completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. While attending college, he became the Office Manager at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas. After 5 years in this position, J.J. relocated to Corpus Christi in November of 2011 where he was promoted to Assistant Director of the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery. In 2015 he was nominated as one of the Honorees for Corpus Christi 40 under 40 for creating the “Unaccompanied Veteran” program, which is now being replicated nationwide. After 5 years as the Assistant Director, J.J. was promoted to Director in December of 2016. In December of 2018, he received the “Patriot of 76” Award from the National Sojourners for collaborating with local organizations in the creation of the “Uniforms for the Final Salute” program. J.J. was involved in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery Program for 12 years.

On November 21, 2019, J.J. was hired on as the Nueces County Director of Veterans Services/ VSO, whereas of October 1, 2021, he again oversees the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery. Since becoming the Nueces County Director of Veterans Services/VSO, J.J. has received the following awards: the Corpus Christi Mayor’s Committee for Veterans Affairs 2020 Veteran Advocate of the Year, Texas Veterans Commission’s 2021 Texas Veterans Claims Service Officer of the Year, and Texas Veterans Commission’s 2021 Excellence Award.

J.J. is a member of the Corpus Christi Mayors Committee for Veterans Affairs, the Marine Corps League Detachment #430, VFW 8932, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Organization, and the 40 & 8. In his spare time, J.J. loves to travel and spend time with his family and friends.

Description of Office

The purpose of the Nueces County Veterans Services Department is to assist veterans and their survivors deal with the often confusing and overwhelming task of completing the correct forms/applications and collecting the appropriate documentation to support a claim for federal benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If VA denies benefits, staff will assist clients compose the necessary statements and forms in filing an appeal.
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