John Merritt has for the last 6 years worked for Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge and Rice as a business consultant dealing mainly in areas of tobacco and economic development.  Midway through this tenure, he took 18 months off to serve as Governor Mike Easley's Senior Policy Advisor specializing in economic development.

Mr. Merritt’s career started on Capitol Hill in 1972 where he served as Administrative Assistant to Congressman Charlie Rose and as staff support for the subcommittee on tobacco of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. 

In 1981 he departed Capitol Hill and joined Hardee's food system in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.  He served as a senior officer for 10 years and was a member of the executive committee of that corporation.

In 1991 Mr. Merritt returned to Capitol Hill and served as Staff Director of the Joint Committee on Printing.  His responsibilities included the printing of the Congressional Record, Federal Register, and oversight of all Title 44 printing policy for the federal government.

In 1995 Mr. Merritt became a Business Consultant representing various clients including the state of North Carolina.  He joined Womble, Carlyle in 1999.