09/20/2005
New-age blogs and podcasts are no longer a new phenomenon, but they've found an unusual friend in Bill Merry Jr., president of Herndon & Merry, a traditional ironworks manufacturer in Nashville.
Merry, his father and two younger brothers run and manage the metal fabrication business and a sister company, Garden Park Antiques, which cater to upscale clientele. Both businesses have been fixtures of the Middle Tennessee landscape for decades.
But amid the day-to-day operations of these settled businesses is Merry the maverick. The entrepreneur says traditional media no longer satisfies his needs for information about small-business issues and politics.
"How people are getting information is changing so rapidly," said the soft-spoken but firm Merry, who finds most of his political information through blogs. "More information can only be a good thing."
To supplement, Merry reads NFIB's Capitol Coverage and NFIB/Tennessee's State Report, among many information sources, for small-business information. Because he is passionate and knowledgeable about small-business issues, NFIB has asked Merry on several occasions to interview with the mainstream media. Recently, NFIB presented him with an unusual interview opportunity with a small-business podcast program in Great Britain.
"That was really neat," Merry said. "My hope was that small-business owners there could learn more about small business here and that the British government will learn more [about the American approach]."
Merry, a member of NFIB/Tennessee's Leadership Council who contributes to NFIB's state and federal political action committees, is active because he believes in what NFIB President and CEO Jack Faris often says – you better get involved before government gets involved in your business. Merry sings the praises of Faris, who is retiring soon.
"I have a high regard for Jack Faris – he coached me," he said. "He'll be missed, but his imprint will be felt for years to come."
As will Bill Merry's, who notes his family business has been an NFIB member since the late 1960s. Merry noted NFIB's role became more prominent for him about 12 years ago, when America considered adopting a universal health-care system. NFIB and Jack Faris led the fight against it, which caught Merry's attention.
"That propelled NFIB for me," he said, adding NFIB "is a great independent platform for more access to government leaders and for more information."
Health-care cost challenges and legal reform are two key issues for Merry and his businesses: "NFIB is a great vehicle for me to get in and drive around on these issues." The death tax and excessive government regulation are also ever-present challenges.
"There are so many OSHA and ADA regulations and guidelines," he said. "It's hard to meet them (all). It takes a lot of man hours to meet those regulations."
Merry recalled an instance when an employee stored a wooden saw (from a father who had passed away) at the company plant. OSHA saw it and fined the business $400 with no warning.
Merry's criticisms of government are direct, as is his praise. He believes Tennessee's transportation system is excellent.
"Despite all the orange barrels, they do a pretty good job of providing a superior transportation system," he said, before noting Tennessee's state park system is also well managed.
"But we continue to botch up our education system," Merry said. "We have too many state mandates and throw too much money at the problem. It is a workforce issue. We see many people trying to do everything they can to get their children out of certain public school systems."
Merry has another issue he's like to see addressed – revamping the federal tax system: "It's within our grasp. [Doing so] would lead to unprecedented growth."
Rounding out Merry's wish list is to see NFIB membership grow.
"The larger we become as an organization, the more influential we will be."
"Bill Merry helps small business by being visible and effective in many ways," NFIB/Tennessee State Director Rob Ikard said. "He realizes devoting some of his valuable time to communicating concerns to elected officials and doing media interviews are important investments for his business and his employees. NFIB is fortunate to have Bill advocating for small business."
