Our Team

With over 40 years of municipal bond investment management and research experience, Richard Ciccarone has become a nationally recognized expert in municipal bonds. He has received more than 20 awards and distinctions from Institutional Investor, Smith’s Research & Gradings, Global Guaranty, The Bond Buyer and the National Federation of Municipal Analysts. Institutional Investor named Mr.... CONTINUE READING

Mr. Gerleman is an Executive Vice-President of Merritt Research Services, overseeing its operation. He has been instrumental in the ongoing development and implementation of the team and processes that are continually redesigning the municipal bond industry’s first vendor software and database analytical package for municipal credit analysis.

Gerleman began his association with The... CONTINUE READING

Joining Merritt Research Services in the fall of 1996, Ms. Benjamin is currently a Senior Vice President and Director of Research. Focusing on new sector research and development, she has led the effort on the accurate defining of thousands of salient credit data fields. She is also responsible for maintaining data continuity and the primary training/oversight of the Merritt research effort... CONTINUE READING

Ms. Wyckoff is an Assistant Vice President and Internal Control Analyst for Merritt Research Services. Kristen's primary role is to review, identify and propose solutions which will strengthen accuracy, completeness, consistency and timeliness of the Merritt dataset. Beginning her career with Merritt in January of 2004, she has been instrumental in the ongoing development of our data grooming... CONTINUE READING

Ms. Anselm joined Merritt Research Services in January 2010 to assist in the coordination of audit procurement and credit obligor setup. Rikki serves a key role in disclosure document flow and general credit disclosure.

Rikki graduated from Kaplan University with an AAS in Business Administration.

Ms. Wirth joined Merritt Research Services to assist in the coordination of audit procurement and credit obligor setup. Dotie serves a key role in disclosure document flow and general credit disclosure.

Dotie completed the accounting program at Hamilton Business College.

Ms. Houghkirk joined Merritt Research Services as an Intern in January of 2005. Jana's primary responsibility includes managing the team of analysts who procure and standardize audited financial statements and related statistical data related to revenue-based credits.

Jana graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Accounting.

Ms. Schuring joined Merritt Research Services in January of 2010. Kaitlyn's primary responsibility includes managing the team of analysts who procure and standardize audited financial statements and related statistical data related to tax-backed credits.

Kaitlyn graduated from The University of Iowa with a BBA in Finance.

Mr. Rowley is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Zach's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Zach graduated Cum Laude from the University of Northern Iowa; double majoring in both Accounting and Economics. He also maintains his CPA designation.

Mr. Jacobs joined Merritt Research Services as an Intern in June of 2007. Brandon's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Brandon graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Finance.

Mr. Bloomquist joined Merritt Research Services as an Intern in May of 2009. Mitch's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Mitch graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Finance.

Ms. Smith is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Terri's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Terri graduated from The University of Iowa with a BBA in Accounting.

Mr. Petersen joined Merritt Research Services in early 2011. Evan's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Evan graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Finance.

Mr. Sabic is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Damir's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Damir graduated Magna Cum Laude from Upper Iowa University with a degree in Accounting.

Mr. Knox is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Jordan's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Jordan graduated from The University of Iowa with a BBA in Finance.

Mr. Stafford is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Zach's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Zachary graduated from Coe College with majors in Managerial Accounting and Business Administration.

Ms. Pardridge is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Paige's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Paige graduated from The University of Iowa with BBAs in Accounting and Finance.

Mr. Veronda is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Jakoby's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Jakoby graduated from Western Illinois University with a BBA in Accounting.

Ms. Minder is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Lindsay's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.
Lindsay graduated from The University of Iowa with a BBA in Finance.

Mr. Herbers is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Matt's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.
Matt graduated from The University of Iowa with a BBA in Finance.

Ms. Bigbee is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Mackenzie's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Mackenzie graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in Accounting.

Mr. Shissler is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. James's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

James graduated from Mount Mercy University with a BBA in Accounting.

Mr. Meinecke is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Clint's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Clint graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Economics.

Mr. Chihak is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Charles' primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Charles graduated from Mount Mercy University with a BS in Accounting and Healthcare Administration.

Mr. Irbeck is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Vaughn's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Vaughn graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in Actuarial Science, a BS in Statistics and a BS in Mathmatics.

Mr. Peterson is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. John's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

John graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Finance.

Ms. Arden is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Taylor's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Taylor graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Finance.

Mr. Trim is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Terry's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Terry graduated from Western Michigan University with both a BA and an MBA in Finance.

Mr. Cernohaus is a Financial Statement Examiner for Merritt Research Services. Leo's primary responsibilities include the procurement and standardizing of audited financial statements and related statistical data.

Leo graduated from University of Iowa with a BBA in Finance.