1977 - Present:Shopping center and warehouse development, leasing and management industry1977 - 1992:Worked for a regional shopping center developer, starting out as a leasing agent and working up to Director of Leasing; Involved in the leasing of 47 retail projects throughout 6 southeastern states1993 - 1996: Represented Brandywine Real Estate Management Services in leasing and management services for ten community size shopping centers located along the Gulf Coast, from the Florida Panhandle to East Texas1993-PresentStarted Merrill P. Thomas Co. a full service commercial real estate company providing sales, leasing, management, tenant representation and commercial development.Experience and Involvement: Involved with the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), participation in five regional meetings as a speaker on various retail leasing topicsMobile Area Association of Realtors - Board of Directors member since 2006; past President of the 1,400 member association Commercial Real Estate Exchange Club and Governmental Affairs committee - Chair memberAppointed by Mayor Sam Jones to the 2010 City of Mobile Building Codes Advocacy CommitteeBoard of Directors and Governmental Affairs Committee of the Alabama Association of Realtors - Previous member2008 - featured speaker on retail properties at the University of South Alabama's "Gulf Coast Commercial Real Estate Summit and Market Review" held at the Mobile Convention Center*Newest Development - 10,000 sq ft office/warehouse with a 5 acre laydown yard