Jerry Merriman is stepping down from his role as president of Merriman Anderson Architects, which he founded 33 years ago. His wife Deby, who is director of human resources, is also retiring. Milton Anderson, a vice president and former Director of Design at Merriman Anderson, will be named president.
The Merrimans founded the firm in 1987, focusing on the urban core of Dallas, and the company has been instrumental in shaping downtown’s skyline. Over the past few decades, Merriman is responsible for more than 40 downtown Dallas projects, including more than 20 historic buildings. The renovations of the The Statler, the 52-story The National, Old Dallas Public Library, Lone Star Gas Lofts, Cambria Hotel Dallas, and 1900 Pacific Residences are all Merriman projects.
Merriman sat down with D CEO for lunch earlier this year, spoke about how he was excited about the future of Dallas’ urban core. ““We’re going to be amazed at how far we’ve come in the next 20 years,” he told D CEO.
“I could never have imagined our firm’s success when Deby and I got started in 1987,” says Jerry Merriman via release. “We scrambled to keep the work flowing back then, and now we are over 100 employees in three offices. Our kids grew up in our Dallas office where we put them to work in the summers answering phones and filing. I am humbled by the accolades and awards, but the true credit for MAA’s success goes to our talented staff and loyal clients.”
The firm has also has its hand in master planned developments, urban housing, office buildings, hotel, hospitals, schools and retail projects around the world. An early adopter of the United State Green Building Council, Merriman was a leader in developing green and sustainable development in Texas and around the country.
Merriman has been on the board of Downtown Dallas Inc. for 12 years and a board member and past president of Preservation Dallas. He has been awarded Oklahoma University’s College of Architecture’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2019 Downtown Dallas, Inc. Chairman’s Award, the 2019 Topping Out Visionary Award,
“Jerry and Deby sowed the seeds of our enviable culture here at MAA. We are all humbled to be a part of the special practice they created, and we are committed to honoring, continuing and growing the enduring legacy,” says Milton Anderson.
