Gwen Rivera

Gwen Mercado Rivera is the Amusement Director of Operations at FACE Amusement. Born and raised in Bronx, NY, Gwen was raised by her mother and grandmother and developed a strong sense of empathy and care for others while helping her grandpa at his bodega. She moved to Puerto Rico at age eight to take care of her ailing grandfather and learned to read Spanish by teaching herself with old textbooks. Gwen’s mother raised her and her two siblings with the help of her grandmother, who taught her how to cook Puerto Rican food, which is her favorite hobby.

Being a product of the public school system, Gwen did her best to stay busy and out of trouble by assisting with after-school sports activities where she did track and field and was part of the school volleyball team all the way through high school. Gwen started working at a bakery at an early age to help her mom.

Determined to create a better future for herself and her three children, Gwen worked at a hotel to put herself through college, where she studied Business at Interamerican University in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. After moving to Florida in 2005, Gwen worked in retail, starting at the entry-level and advancing to management roles at Kohl’s, Steve & Barry’s, VF Outlets, and Best Buy. She met her husband Eric Rivera while working at Best Buy and gained three bonus kids and now have two grandkids.

In 2015, Gwen joined FACE Amusement as a manager for their new arcade, Arcade City, and opened the first location outside of the PF market. During the pandemic, Gwen traveled to Tennessee to help set up the re-opening of the locations, and in September 2020, she was offered a promotion to Area Manager, which she accepted, relocating with her husband. Since December 2021, Gwen has been the Amusement Director of operations for the Myrtle Beach, Branson, and Pigeon Forge markets. She enjoys working with her team and seeing them develop and grow in a company she loves.

Gwen’s journey from humble beginnings to leading the operations of a successful amusement park company is a testament to her hard work and determination. She credits her upbringing with instilling in her a strong sense of empathy and care for others, which she carries with her in both her personal and professional life. Gwen’s dedication to her team and love for her work make her a valuable asset to FACE Amusement.