Richard A. Ciccarone

President Emeritus

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

Troy A. Gerleman

Executive Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer

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

Carrie A. Benjamin

Senior Vice President & Director of Research

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

Kristen K. Wyckoff, CPA

Assistant Vice President & Internal Control Analyst

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

Rikki R. Anselm

Database Research Assistant II

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.

Dotie J. Wirth

Database Research Assistant II

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.

Jana R. Houghkirk

Financial Statement Analyst II & Revenue-Based Team Lead

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.

Kaitlyn M. Schuring

Financial Statement Analyst & Tax-Backed Team Lead

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.

Zachary J. Rowley, CPA

Financial Statement Examiner III & Retirement Specialist

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.

Brandon J. Jacobs

Financial Statement Examiner III

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.

Mitchel J. Bloomquist

Financial Statement Examiner II

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.

Terri A. Smith

Financial Statement Examiner III

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.

Evan D. Petersen

Financial Statement Examiner II

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.

Damir Sabic

Financial Statement Examiner

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.

Jordan L. Knox

Financial Statement Examiner II

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.

Zachary P. Stafford

Financial Statement Examiner II

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.

Paige C. Pardridge

Financial Statement Examiner

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.

Jakoby C. Veronda

Financial Statement Examiner II

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.

Lindsay M. Minder

Financial Statement Examiner

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.

Matthew R. Herbers

Financial Statement Examiner II

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.

Mackenzie N. Bigbee

Financial Statement Examiner II

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.

James I. Shissler

Financial Statement Examiner

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.

Clint A. Meinecke

Financial Statement Examiner

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.

Charles W. Chihak

Financial Statement Examiner

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.

Vaughn C. Irlbeck

Financial Statement Examiner

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.

John C. Peterson

Financial Statement Examiner

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.

Michael W. Martin

Financial Statement Examiner

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

Michael graduated from Luther College with a BA in Economics.

Taylor M. Arden

Financial Statement Examiner

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.

Terry D. Trim

Financial Statement Examiner

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.