John D. Merritt

In addition to his public service, John has significant credentials in the private sector as well. He has been a business and government relations consultant in North Carolina for the past 13 years, and spent nine years serving as senior vice president of regulatory and government affairs for Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.

John is active in his community and has served on numerous boards and commissions throughout his business and governmental career. He is a current member of the Wilmington Economic Development Authority, a founding board member of the Golden Leaf Foundation and vice chair of the North Carolina Progress Board.

Education

• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, B.S., History, 1973

Memberships

• Member, Wilmington Economic Development Authority
• Board member, Golden Leaf Foundation
• Vice chair, North Carolina Progress Board

Past Positions

• Consultant, Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge and Rice PLLC, 1999-2008
• Co-Chief of Staff, Governor Michael F. Easley, 2002-2003
• Independent Government Relations Consultant, 1995-1999
• Staff Director, Joint House-Senate Committee on Printing, U.S. Congress, 1991-1995
• Senior Vice President, Hardee's Food Systems, Inc., 1981-1991
• Chief of Staff, U.S. Congressman Charlie Rose (D-NC), 1972-1981

• Contracts & State/Local Procurement
• Economic and Infrastructure Development
• Executive and Legislative Affairs
• Local Government Relations
• Multi-state Government Relations
• Regulatory Solutions
• Strategic Communications & Grassroots

• State Government Relations

• Economic Development
• Education
• Energy
• Land Use & Environmental
• Local Government
• Transportation