| |
Dr. Merritt began his career
with Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International)
in 1953 as a research engineer in the Control
Systems Laboratory. During this period he was
a member of the ERMA computer team where he developed
the MICR character recognition system used on
most checks. He later formed the Information and
Control Laboratory within the Engineering Division
of SRI to extend the use of the digital computer
in the application of modern control theory.
In 1968, he formed a start-up
company, Systems Control Inc. (SCI), to exploit
applications of modern control theory in electric
power systems, industrial process systems, aeronautical
systems and defense systems. In 1981, SCI was
sold to SCICON, a subsidiary of British Petroleum,
at which time Merritt moved to London as Research
Coordinator for SCICON.
Upon returning from London,
he became Chairman of Centigram Inc., a start-up
that was funded by the venture community and focused
around SCI technology. During the five years at
Centigram he worked to restructure the company
and product lines, hired a senior executive as
CEO and stayed with the firm until it was positioned
for acquisition. After two years of retirement,
he was asked to become CEO and Chairman of UTI
Instruments, a mass spectrometer manufacturer,
which sold primarily to the semiconductor industry.
He prepared the company for eventual sale, which
was achieved in 1995 to MKS Instruments.
His education
includes, a PhD from Stanford University 1960,
an MS from MIT 1953, BS from University of California
1952 and BS out of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
1948.
|
