Merriman Anderson/Architects (MAA) has revealed the retirement of President/Founder Jerry Merriman (pictured above) and Director of Human Resources Deby Merriman. Jerry’s passion for architecture, especially the downtown Dallas skyline, laid the groundwork for his namesake firm. Jerry and Deby’s vision is credited with the growth of a small family business into an internationally recognized architecture firm in the course of their 33 years at the helm with offices in Dallas, Austin and Charlotte.
Jerry and Deby Merriman founded their namesake architecture firm in 1987 with a focus on projects in the urban core and a goal of contributing to the burgeoning resurgence of downtown Dallas. The Dallas skyline has been enhanced and influenced by the firm’s expertise these past 33 years, having designed more than 40 downtown Dallas projects, including the renovation and restoration of more than 20 historic buildings. The firm’s portfolio includes such landmark projects as renovations of The Statler, the 52-story The National (formerly First National Bank tower), the Old Dallas Public Library, Lone Star Gas Lofts, Cambria Hotel Dallas (formerly Tower Petroleum) and 1900 Pacific Residences (formerly Corrigan Tower). The firm’s portfolio of projects covers virtually every block and neighborhood of downtown Dallas and beyond.
The firm is responsible for projects of all types including master-planned developments, urban housing, office buildings, corporate facilities, hotels, hospitals, schools and retail projects throughout the United States and internationally, and offers services such as programming, urban planning, architectural design, space planning, interior architecture and design, graphic design, construction document production, construction observation, 3D visualization and facilities move coordination.
Jerry was an early member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and his firm is often credited for crusading the green and sustainable design (LEED) movement in Texas and beyond.
Jerry’s community involvement includes 12 years of service on the board of Downtown Dallas Inc, board member and past president of Preservation Dallas and board member and chairman of The University of Oklahoma College of Architecture’s Board of Visitors. The list of his industry awards and accolades includes OU’s College of Architecture’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2019 Downtown Dallas Inc. Chairman’s Award, the 2019 Topping Out Visionary Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Dallas Business Journal. In 2017, MAA received the Firm of the Year Award from AIA Dallas.
“I could never have imagined our firm’s success when Deby and I got started in 1987,” Jerry said. “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.”
MAA’s Milton Anderson, VP and former director of design, will be named president of the firm. Anderson, along with MAA’s seven principals, will be responsible for advancing the firm’s familial culture, client service and design excellence.
“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,” Anderson said.
