Jesse Parent is a Somerset, Massachusetts native and moved to Utah in 1997. He has helped to organize the local Salt Lake poetry slam series since 2007, guiding the rule-making process and serving as host, bout manager, and treasurer. He has served on the executive council for Poetry Slam, Inc., the now defunct national organization behind the National Poetry Slam, Individula World Poetry Slam, and Women of the World Poetry Slam. He has also served on the rules committee for the College Union Poetry Slam Invitation (CUPSI) tournament. Jesse has coached both the Westiminster College and University of Utah poetry slam teams.