Caren Merrick

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Caren DeWitt Merrick is an American entrepreneur and politician. co-founded webMethods with her husband Phillip Merrick in 1996. webMethods is the most successful software IPO to date,[1] with the fourth most successful debut on the NASDAQ.[2] Caren and Phillip also founded the webMethods Foundation in 2001, the year of their IPO, a private family foundation named after their successful company.[3] The purpose of the foundation was to help lower income families, primarily in the area of education.[3] One of the foundation's first grants was to Venture Philanthropy Partners.

Early life and business career

Merrick's father, a Marine Corps veteran, was a lineman for the local utility.[4] She went to college at night through the GI Bill and eventually became a conservation engineer.[4] Her mother was a secretary in the guidance and counseling office of their local high school.[4] Merrick was the first woman in her family to graduate from college, earning her B.A. at University of California, Los Angeles in 1988.[5] After graduating, Merrick moved to Northern Virginia where she started her career.[6]

Beginning in 1991, Caren worked as a director of Marketing for Low + Associates Social Marketing Agency, where she led the development of the agency's direct response services, winning over $5 million in new business.[5] She went on to work for America Online as a Director of AOL.com in 1996 and 1997.[5] She led the content production team during AOL's transition from a corporate website to a search portal.[5] She co-founded webMethods with her husband Phillip Merrick in 1996. webMethods is the most successful software IPO to date,[1] with the fourth most successful debut on the NASDAQ.[2] Caren and Phillip also founded the webMethods Foundation in 2001, the year of their IPO, a private family foundation named after their successful company.[3] The purpose of the foundation was to help lower income families, primarily in the area of education.[3] One of the foundation's first grants was to Venture Philanthropy Partners.

Politics

In 2010, Merrick served as a member of Governor Bob McDonnell’s bipartisan Economic Development and Jobs Creation Commission.[7] She worked with a diverse group of business, education, workforce development and government leaders from across Virginia. The Governor’s Jobs Commission was tasked with coming up with a common-sense, job growth agenda that will help businesses of all sizes create jobs, thrive and succeed in Virginia.[7]

Merrick ran as the Republican candidate for state Senate in Virginia's 31st Senate District in the 2011 elections.[8] She lost to Barbara Favola.

Personal life

Caren Merrick is married to Phillip Merrick and has two sons. She currently lives in McLean, Virginia.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 www.politico.com/arena/bio/caren_dewitt_merrick
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 articles.latimes.com/2000/feb/12/business/fi-63533
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 webMethods Foundation Launched to Support Non-profit Organizations Around the Globe
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Caren Merrick for State Senate
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Caren Merrick VisualCV
  6. ↑ www.vasummit2011.org
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 www.commerce.virginia.gov/Initiatives/ecoDevJobCreation.cfm
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Democratic Primary Fight Could Give GOP Better Chance for Senate Seat


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