fueled by passion
Merritt is the artist’s atelier. We are innovators. We plan with precision, craft with care and build boldly knowing that our work lives on for generations of tomorrow. We only work with the finest designers, builders and craftsmen, and deliver woodwork that is unparalleled in our industry.
Only the extraordinary is acceptable for the world’s finest estates and superyachts.
TIMELESS CRAFTSMANSHIP, TOMORROW’S TECHNOLOGY
Merritt is changing the definition of woodwork and joinery from the inside out. By constantly innovating, we stay steps ahead of both our competition and our clients to ensure that the future of our craft will be brighter, stronger and more powerful than ever before. As a family run company, Merritt is led by strong ideals that have remained at our core for fifty years. We believe in solid partnerships with our clients. We never miss a detail, a delivery or a deadline. We employ both cutting edge technology and age old techniques in cultivating our craft. Our approach is uncompromising and the result is the perfect alignment of beauty and precision.
A LEGACY OF ART AND VISION
As a young man, George A. Merritt honed his craft as an artisan woodworker in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1967 he founded Merritt Woodwork where he went on to mentor his own team of apprentices. By building a reputation for perfectionism and artistry, Merritt honed a niche delivering the highest-quality cabinetry and woodwork in the region. Today, his sons Michael and Keith not only continue their father’s legacy of extraordinary craftsmanship, premium materials and hands-on management, but have also grown the company in unexpected directions with exceptional results.
George A. Merritt, Founder
Keith & Michael Merritt
Through constant innovation and an obsession with perfection, Merritt moves the definition of woodwork and joinery forward.
leadership team
G. Michael Merritt
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
“Because we never accept the status quo, we are constantly innovating, identifying new ways to meet old challenges. We have never been afraid of going against the grain in pursuit of perfection.”
G. Michael Merritt has a singular vision for Merritt, the company his father, George A. Merritt, founded in 1967: to be the best, most forward thinking and in-demand provider of ultra-high-end architectural millwork and joinery for residential estates and super yachts. Through his strategic leadership and a collaborative executive team, Merritt has become one of the world’s leading luxury interior solutions firms.Throughout his tenure, Michael has practiced every trade and held nearly every key position in the company from cabinetry to operations. Today Michael provides strategic and practical support of Merritt’s many teams, departments and divisions, while focusing on human capital, team results, mentoring and ensuring controlled company growth.Michael’s goals for Merritt today and in the future are clear: generate flawless results for our clients, mentor and motivate our company team and provide security and future opportunities to our employees, vendors, consultants and friends.
KEITH MERRITT
Chief Operating Officer
“Taking an architect’s dream and turning it into reality is a daily joy for my team. The challenges we face in the process become fuel driving us to exceed what we thought were limitations.”
Keith Merritt, younger son of founder George A. Merritt, has a long history within the company. Like his brother Michael, Keith has worked in nearly every position he now oversees from production, manufacturing and logistics to plant management, engineering management and project management. Today, in addition to his roles as executive vice president and treasurer, he also functions as day to day director of operations.Early on, Keith pledged himself to mastering old-world craftsmanship techniques to further Merritt’s foundation in the art of woodwork and joinery. Along with his team, he continues to research the world’s finest materials and technological advancements, fusing them together with the industry’s most advanced equipment and creative people to create exquisite monumental architectural millwork.
Stephanie Cherok
Chief Financial & Accountability Officer
“I am excited to utilize my passion for finance and business management to support Merritt’s visionary growth in artisan woodwork and more.”
Stephanie Cherok joined Merritt in December 2020 as Director of Finance. At Merritt, Stephanie will direct overall financial leadership with focus on increased profitability, forecasting, and treasury management. She will correspond directly with external accountants, bankers, auditors, and lenders. Stephanie brings 17 years of executive level financial leadership to the Merritt finance team. She earned high regard from her financial colleagues for her personal commitment to integrity in business management. Her broad experience in accounting and finance includes multiple entities, business taxation, and critical understanding of construction cost management. Stephanie graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Taxation.
Gina Borovica
Director of Sales and Marketing
“I value working for a 50+ year old family owned company and take pride in promoting Merritt’s artistry and interior solutions. Being able to work alongside our team of talented artisans motivates and inspires me every day.”
As part of the Merritt team for almost 8 years now, Gina Borovica is currently Merritt’s Director of Marketing. Creating the Merritt story and educating the world on Merritt’s handcrafted woodwork and many other capabilities is her primary focus. Gina also spends time collaborating with the internal Merritt team to innovate and continuously improve processes to ensure Merritt’s clients receive bespoke interiors with flawless execution. Prior to her career at Merritt, Gina has held various positions as Chief of Staff, Director of Marketing, Product Developer and Product Manager for multiple different companies and industries. Working for entrepreneurial start-ups, corporations and family owned businesses, Gina has been exposed to a lot of diversity in her roles and is certainly willing and capable of taking on any challenge to help Merritt grow and succeed. In her free time, Gina loves spending time outdoors and on the water. Family is extremely important to her and she is the proud mother of her daughter Allison.
Chad Emmerich
Director of Human Resources
“At Merritt, I value the opportunity to make an impact on results and have been able to positively do so by using my HR experience and entrepreneurial spirit to guide our team to success.”
A member of the Merritt team since 2017, Chad Emmerich serves as Director of Human Resources where he is responsible for overseeing the strategic and operational Human Resources activities for Merritt. Chad brings his expertise to Merritt after holding the position of Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for Affirmative Insurance, a publicly traded holdings company that specializes in mergers and acquisitions. He was responsible for HR, corporate communications, corporate facilities management and led an $8M office buildout and relocation. Before that, Chad spent 13 years with Nationwide Insurance where he, among many other responsibilities, led various call centers and field environments as well as coordinated the merge and integration of THI Holdings, Inc. In addition to his corporate experiences, Chad has pursued independent ventures that demonstrate an enterprising drive and brings a big picture perspective to his role at Merritt. Chad graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Providence College and has achieved the Senior Professional in HR designation.
Ian Agrell
Director of Classical Decoration
“The current resurgence of interest in, and respect for, carved ornamentation is inspiring. I look forward to continuing to develop this extraordinary art.”
Ian Agrell began modeling clay as a child at the encouragement of his parents. This love of working in three dimensions led him to first study woodcarving in 1961. Twenty years later, Ian was elected to the Master Carvers Association, a prestigious society of wood and stone carvers in the United Kingdom.In 1986, Ian moved to the United States to take on larger residential projects and to teach classical carving. Since then he and his team have been honored with commissions including Fulham Palace, Hampton Court, the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament, the Utah Governor’s Mansion and a throne for Pope Saint John Paul.After twenty years of partnering with Merritt on large high-end residential projects, Agrell Architectural Carving was acquired and now operates as Merritt’s in-house classical decoration team.Ian oversees all classical decoration operations for Merritt as well as staff training and program development.Ian is passionate about maintaining the art of classical woodcarving and to ensure the future of these unique skills, thirty years ago he founded the School of Classical Woodcarving where he teaches several classes each year.
Albert Peetoom
Project Principal
“At Merritt I have been able to bring my experience as a professional yacht builder to bear on both Merritt’s heritage of residential work, as well as its super yacht category. Finding new challenges in both continually drives me and my team to new levels of success. ”
Albert Peetoom has been a project principal with Merritt’s residential and super yacht divisions since 2013. He brings more than 20 years of experience as a professional yacht builder specializing in leading interior fit-out. His team leadership includes oversight of residential and yacht projects from start to finish including all aspects of engineering, budgets, communication and procurement. His deep experience in the yachting industry, particularly interior outfitting, informs his work at Merritt every day, both residential and nautical. Delivering extraordinary results to Merritt clients continually drives Albert and his team to excellence. Albert lives in Savannah, Georgia and is a member of the Historic Savannah Foundation.
Bruce Bartholomew
Project Principal
Jeff sessions, AIA
Project Principal
“I am proud to have the opportunity to work within a company that holds craftsmanship, quality and customer satisfaction to the highest standards in the industry.”
As team leader of the Utah office, Jeff is responsible for providing project management and engineering leadership on multiple simultaneous projects from inception through completion. He brings years of experience with him to Merritt, previously serving as CEO & Vice President at Wavell-Huber Wood Products, Inc. where he developed the company from a regional Southern California firm into a national architectural woodworking organization.Jeff holds a Master of Architecture, California Polytechnic University and a Bachelor of Arts, with emphasis in Environmental Design from San Diego State University.
Peter Staedler
Project Principal
“I enjoy working side by side with the best in the business to deliver the highest quality millwork to our clients.”
Peter Staedler, one of Merritt’s Project Principals, is responsible for projects from the very beginning until the end, when the project is delivered and installed. Those responsibilities include the oversight of the project, fiscal responsibility and adhering to budgets, engineering, procurement, coordination of manufacturing, delivery and installation. After graduating from college, Peter started his career at a cabinet shop in Switzerland, where he worked as a cabinet maker and installer. A few years later and prior to working at Merritt, he traveled to the United States and worked for Wavell-Huber Wood Products for 18 years. Building years of knowledge and experience in the industry, Peter was originally a cabinet maker, progressed to an installer for 10 years, and was then promoted to production manager for 4 years. Outside of work, Peter loves spending time outdoors while camping, fishing and horseback riding.
Maurice Zeini
Project Principal
“While working at Merritt I enjoy the team spirit, take pride in our achievements and clientele relationships and value being a team player.”
As one of Merritt’s Project Principals, Maurice Zeini manages and directs projects and project teams to reach high-end results that align with each deadline and expectation. When Maurice joined Merritt’s team in 2019, he brought with him a strong background and years of valuable experience in yacht, hospitality and residential interiors. Prior to Merritt, he started his career as a master cabinet maker and quickly became promoted to a production manager and eventually an operations manager. In Maurice’s free time he loves spending time with his three daughters, cooking and playing and watching sports such as table tennis, squash, billiards and boxing.
Jochen Schröcker
PROJECT PRINCIPAL & GENERAL MANAGER
“I am driven by working with the very best – in materials, colleagues and clients.”
Since 2015 Jochen Schröcker has led Merritt’s Germany-based team of highly skilled craftsmen, integrating their work, heritage and operations with Merritt’s U.S.-based headquarters.Jochen is at heart a schreinermeister, German for master cabinetmaker. A third generation cabinetmaker, Jochen has been a master craftsman since 1994 and has worked in the yacht and international premium residential business for 18 years.His remarkable career experience includes working on some of the world’s most extraordinary mega yachts including the Maltese Falcon, Royal Romance and Nourah of Riyadh. Ultra-luxury penthouses in St. Petersburg, Russia, Istanbul, Turkey and San Francisco, California confirm an experience delivering unparalleled millwork to clients for whom the best is the only option.Prior to joining Merritt, Jochen was a project manager, head of estimating and general manager for Sinnex Steinheimer Innenausbau, the prestigious German millwork firm. Germany is highly regarded for the value it places on craft, attention to detail and precision in execution. Jochen embodies these values and it informs his work and his team at Merritt every day.
Dan Genest
General Manager, SCI-Merritt
“At Merritt, I enjoy the challenges my job entails. Overseeing a group of hardworking men and women and leading the team to provide quality customer service is a task I am proud to tackle.”
As a member of the Merritt team since 2012, Daniel Genest holds the position of General Manager of SCI-Merritt, Merritt’s Carpentry and Installation division. Daniel oversees the installation of all jobs globally, including management of schedules, budgets, quality and the customer service experience. With prior experience at International Home Improvements, Eurotech Millwork and National Cabinet & Millwork, Daniel brings an abundance of expertise in carpentry and management to the company. In his free time, Daniel enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters as well as watching NASCAR and football.