Our Team
The Merkley team includes more than 40 full-time staff in Ottawa, many of whom have been with the company for decades. Meet our management team below, or contact one of our subject matter experts directly.
- Robert Merkley, President & CEO
- Lorne Hartley, Controller
- Johnny Raponi, Sales Manager
- Ken Merkley, Marketing Manager
- Paul W. Mutter, Purchasing Manager
Robert Merkley, President & CEO
From the beginning of his career, Robert has been active in his family's businesses. Initially he worked at Merkburn Holdings, a project and construction management firm which focused on property development. In 1978, he joined his father at Merkley Supply, eventually growing the company 18 employees to 43 full-time employees today.
Over the course of his leadership, Robert has refocused Merkley Supply, and in so doing has seen the company grow to become eastern Ontario's largest masonry boutique. A cornerstone of his leadership is a focus on business automation to provide efficient and accurate customer service, greater market insight, and ongoing profitability. Under his guidance, Merkley became the first building supply yard in Ottawa to be fully automated, and today remains at the leading edge of business technology.
Robert has been awarded for his work with numerous professional organizations, including the Ottawa Construction Association, where he served for nine years on the board and as President; and The Ottawa-Carleton Home Builders' Association, where he was a board member for 16 years and also served as a two term President.
Robert also maintains a strong commitment to the local community, devoting a significant portion of his time to local charities that represent the journey from life to death, including the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (board member), Roger's House, the Ottawa Hospital/Ottawa Hospital Foundation (committee member), and The Hospice at May Court.