Merit Constr.

Bruce Bosse can be credited as one of the catalysts of Merit Construction, having seen the firm grow from a small construction company with a few employees to a prominent regional contractor. He joined Merit in 1983 and has worked in numerous positions, including serving as president since 1995. Bruce holds a Bachelor of Science degree in building construction from Purdue University.

Bruce is an active member of the professional community, having held leadership roles in Leadership Knoxville, Knoxville Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of Tennessee, the City of Knoxville Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation Board of Commissioners, the BCBC Board, the Knox County Board of Construction Appeals, the Salvation Army Board, the University of Tennessee Chancellor’s Associates, and the Historic Tennessee Theatre Board.

Bruce enjoys travel with his family and is an avid fan of college basketball and football. He and his wife, Sharon, have two children.

Buddy Heins brings a diverse background of construction and real estate to the Merit Construction team.  A native Knoxvillian, Buddy joined Merit in 1998 to lead Merit’s marketing and business development efforts.  Buddy is a civil engineering graduate of the University of Tennessee.

Buddy was previously active in the cellular communications industry, having been instrumental in acquiring and developing nearly 250 cell sites throughout the southeastern United States. He also led the effort to develop a new network for Sprint in East Tennessee.

Since joining Merit, Buddy has helped develop new marketing strategies which have included a new logo and website. During this period, construction revenues for the firm have more than tripled.

Buddy is active in the community holding leadership positions with the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Bearden High School Foundation, and the Knoxville Builders Exchange. Buddy is actively involved in youth sports coaching baseball, basketball and football.

Buddy lives in Knoxville with his wife, Shayna, and their two school age children.

Lynn Cooper joined the Merit accounting staff as Controller in 2012. Lynn brings a diverse background in accounting, consulting and information technology experience to the company, including working directly in the commercial construction industry since 2001.

Lynn grew up in rural West Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee at Martin. He graduated in 1994 with a BS in Business Administration and major in accounting. He also earned his Master of Business Administration degree the following year.

Lynn began his career in Nashville working in public accounting for Kruse & Associates, P.C. preparing tax returns and performing audit procedures for various construction companies across the state. A few years later he joined Magnetek, Inc., a multi-national, publically traded manufacturer.  As Corporate Accounting Manager he gained experience with international financial statement consolidation, SEC filings, and assisted with company-wide initiative to implement Oracle Financial applications.  He was then provided an opportunity to spend a couple years working as a Microsoft Great Plains accounting software consultant. During this time he developed business process reengineering designs for clients by analyzing workflows and business requirements to assist in improvements to performance measures. He also deployed end-to-end eBusiness enterprise solutions to improve the life and success of mid-market clients that included the innovative convergence of business and technology. His time as a consultant taught him valuable business and IT skills that he has adapted and applied to the construction industry for a number of years.

Lynn lives in Knoxville with his wife, Robyn, and two sons Carson and Cameron. He and his family are active members of Fellowship Church and leaders in both the children’s and young adult ministry. They love being outdoors, camping, boating, and snow skiing. Lynn also enjoys coaching and/or attending youth sporting events in this spare time.

Marvin (Marv) House has more than 40 years of construction experience. He began his construction career in 1973 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in construction supervision from Purdue University, as well as a Masters Degree in business administration from Goddard College.

Marv is a licensed professional engineer in 14 states, a LEED Accredited Professional and holds a contractor’s license in six states. He has a broad range of construction expertise, having worked with an ENR top 400 construction company. He is Chairman of Merit Construction, Inc., and CEO and Founder of Professional Construction Consulting, Inc.

Marv has served on several boards and currently is serving on Knoxville Habitat for Humanity and the East Tennessee Historical Society. He is also a member of the National Association of General Contractors Risk Management Surety Bonding Committee and the AGC Consulting Contractors Council, a former trustee of the AGC Comp Trust of Tennessee, and the past chairman of the National AGC Surety Bond Committee.

Marv is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing, hiking and scuba diving. He resides in a renovated grist mill in Blaine, TN, and has two grown children and one grandchild.

Patrick O’Hara joined Merit in 1992 as an estimator and project manager. He holds a Construction Engineering degree from East Tennessee State University and has been active in the construction industry since 1984.

Patrick’s construction experience is primarily in the educational and institutional fields and he is well-versed in construction management, both advisory and at-risk delivery methods. Patrick has worked with many public school systems throughout Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky.

Notable projects include the Hardin Valley Elementary School, the largest elementary school in Knox County; Eagleton Elementary School; Carpenters Elementary School and Union Grove Middle School in Blount County; Allardt and South Fentress Schools Fentress County; Midway Middle School in Roane County and Church Hill Middle School in Hawkins County; Ft. Loudoun Middle School and Philadelphia Elementary Schools in Loudon County.

Patrick and his wife, Sandy, are the parents of four children and reside in Blount County.

Shannon Sapp joined Merit Construction in 1996. Shannon is a 1994 graduate of the Building Construction program at Auburn University. His experience includes a wide range of projects including medical facilities, schools, historic renovations, churches, medical facilities, condominiums and office buildings.

Shannon is actively engaged in project management and estimating at Merit. He has previously managed projects such as East Tennessee Heathcare Development in Dowell Springs.  This project includes anchor tenants Tennessee Cancer Specialists, the Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center, Provision Center for Proton Therapy, and Gastrointestinal Associates in Dowell Springs.  Shannon is currently working on the Provision Care Proton Therapy Center in Franklin, TN.

Renaissance|Farragut the main entrance to Zoo Knoxville, Providence Church, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, expansions and additions to Greeneville High School, First Presbyterian Church and the Harbor Crest Condominiums Phase I & II.

He is also actively involved with the Associated General Contractors of Tennessee, AGC Education & Research Foundation, Central Baptist Church of Bearden, coaching youth baseball, and Nucleus Knoxville.

Shannon lives in Knoxville with his wife, Karen, and twin school-aged sons.

Tyson Brewster has been active in the construction industry since 1996, having begun his career as a wastewater trainee for a local utility company. He is a Civil Engineering graduate of the University of Tennessee.

Tyson is has completed a wide variety of wastewater and freshwater treatment facilities in East Tennessee. Projects include:

Etowah Pump Station Improvements

Copper Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant

Gatlinburg WWTP Digester Cover

Russellville Booster Pump Station

Beaver Creek WWTP Upgrade

Bandy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Knox Chapman Booster Station

Tyson is also actively engaged in general construction projects for churches and office clients. Significant projects include:

Two Lakeside Centre

Lakeside Centre – multiple buildouts for a variety of tenants

Pellissippi Pointe Office  Buildings II, III, IV

Mesa Technologies

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Fellowship Baptist Church, Lenoir City

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Maryville

Tyson has also completed a number of public recreation projects including:

Ripken Experience

Knox County SportsPark

Tommy Schumpert Park

Camp Buck Toms for the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America

He loves to fish, coach youth sports and spend time with his family.

He lives in Lenoir City, Tenn. with his wife, Shelly, and their two children.

Aaron Gilreath brings to Merit Construction a wealth of experience in estimating and project management for a variety of construction projects. Aaron has experience in both construction management and general contracting. Aaron’s work experience includes hospitality/multifamily, medical, retail, commercial, industrial and institutional projects. Significant projects include:

Lisega Inc, Kodak, TN

Knoxville Dental Center (multiple projects)

East Tennessee State University Community Health Center

Karns Volunteer Fire Department Station, the Shelton Group office buildout (LEED Silver Certified)

Wilderness Events Hotel and Water Park

Optimus Health

Gatlinburg Golf Club House

University of Tennessee Pratt Pavilion

Meadowview Convention Center Hotel & Pool/Fitness Facility

US Cellular Data Center Renovation

St. Mary’s North (now Tennova) Medical Office Building Suites

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering from East Tennessee State University. Aaron is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is an active member of Sevier Heights Baptist Church. Aaron and his wife Candice live in Knoxville.

Drew Milsaps joined Merit Construction in 2011. As project manager, Drew Milsaps is responsible for estimating, bidding, scheduling, contract compliance, and general project management for a variety of construction projects. Drew’s experience in the construction industry includes the oversight and management of numerous construction projects. Drew is a Certified Green LEED Associate.

Projects include National Fitness Center West, KCDC Five Points Phase II, and Tailor Lofts.

Drew’s notable projects under previous employment include a 192 unit, $13 million apartment complex in Maryville and a 264 unit and a $16 million apartment project in Knoxville. Drew also served on the project team for the renovation and completion of the condominiums in The Candy Factory at World’s Fair Park.

Drew lives in Maryville with his wife, Ann Marie, and their two young daughters, Riley and Reese.

Kimberly Blanco joined the Merit team in December of 2018 as a Project Administrative Assistant. She came to Merit with 12 years of project administrative assistant experience within the commercial/residential construction industry. Kimberly and her husband Eddie reside in Farragut. They have four grown daughters. In her spare time, Kimberly enjoys traveling with her husband, playing piano, football, softball, exercising and being outdoors.

Kym Kane joined the Merit team as a Project Administrative Assistant in 2012. Kym brings to Merit Construction over seventeen years of experience in the mechanical construction industry where she served in various capacities including of Vice President (Nashville office) & Contract Administrator for Stanley Jones Corporation, a nationally recognized firm.

Kym has been active in many professional construction trade associations throughout her career. She was the “first” female board member elected to serve for both the Middle Tennessee Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chapter as well as the Middle Tennessee Associated General Contractors (AGC) Chapter. Kym served on the State Board of AGC as well as President of the Middle TN ABC Chapter in 2002. She was active member for many years in the Nashville Chapter of National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and served in several officer positions. Additionally Kym served as an intern in the Governmental Affairs department at ABC in Washington, D.C.

Kym holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University as well as coursework from Masters of Business Administration from Tennessee State University. Kym has continued taking other graduate coursework at Belmont University and the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Kym is a native of West Tennessee but resided in Nashville for several years and most recently moved to Knoxville in 2012. She and her husband, R.K., reside in Lenoir City and are parents of three children. They are active members at Central United Methodist Church there as well. In her spare time, Kym enjoys traveling, reading and cooking.

Ryan Kulke comes to Merit from Supreme Structures, Inc. in Madison, Wisconsin, where he worked as a Project Manager from 2013-2017. He earned his Bachelor of Science-Industrial Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Ryan loves the outdoors, running, cycling, hiking in the mountains and in his free time, Ryan enjoys working on home improvement projects.

His notable projects under previous employment in greater Madison, Wisconsin include a variety of multi-tenant retail centers, industrial warehouses, unique design-build bar and restaurant.

Steven Cox brings to Merit Construction many years of experience constructing water treatment plant projects. Notable projects include a $41 million dollar renovation project at the Shades Mountain Filter Plant in Birmingham, Alabama. The Shades Mountain Filter Plant is the oldest and largest water treatment plant in the state of Alabama. Steven also was on the project team that constructed a new $42 million dollar, 8 million gallon per day water treatment plant in Shelby County, Alabama. Both of these projects were under previous employment.

Steven holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama and a Masters of Engineering – Construction Management degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Steven, and his wife Melissa, a Knoxville native, have three young children.

homas (Tommy) Cutcher joined Merit after a stint in the cellular communications industry developing tower sites around the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City Tennessee where he was on the Dean’s List. Tommy was a recipient of an Associated General Contractors scholarship to attend ETSU.

He is now actively involved in estimating and management of construction projects ranging from retail to specialty repair projects. Some of Tommy’s notable projects include Morristown Regional Eye Center, Southeast Retina Associates, Cosby Medical Clinic, University of Tennessee Delta Zeta Sorority, Hamilton Crossing Shopping Center (including Dick’s Sporting Goods, PetSmart, Old Navy, Ross Dress for Less and Shoe Carnival).

Tommy is still active in the communications industry estimating and constructing towers in the eastern portion of the United States. Tommy recently helped manage a major addition and renovation of the US Cellular Operation Center in Knoxville.

Tommy lives in Knoxville with his wife, Christina, and their daughter and son.

Melanie Harris joined the Merit team in 2004 as a Project Manager Assistant. In 2012, she became the Controller Assistant and the assistant to the Director of Business Development. Melanie, her husband Daniel and their two children have considered Knoxville home since 1994. Melanie enjoys baking and volunteering with her church, as well as volunteering with Joni & Friends and Helping Hands ministries.

Rebecca Phillips joined the Merit team June 27, 2016 as the full-time Safety Director. Rebecca brings to our Merit team over 20+ years of experience from providing leadership and management as a supervisor within the building materials industry to driving EHS excellence within both the general and construction industry. Her dedicated efforts to develop strategies to increase safety awareness ultimately increases Merit’s goal of sustained efforts towards a drive to zero in injuries.

Rebecca takes occupational safety and health compliance to the ultimate level. Working closely with Project Managers and Superintendents, Rebecca provides guidance and leadership to ensure the safety of Merit employees, subcontractors, and visitors that may be present during construction activities. She strives to help Merit employees and subcontractors better understand state and federal regulatory requirements and how to comply. As an authorized OSHA outreach trainer, within both general and construction industries, she develops easy to follow and understand training initiatives.

Rebecca’s experience in the construction field goes beyond the limits of simple site inspections to safety oversite for large scale projects in which an outstanding record of 33 million man hours without a lost time injury. This was achieved by the working contracting groups at TVA-Watts Bar-unit 2 Nuclear Facility. Rebecca encouraged safety compliance and training initiatives for both units at TVA-Watts Bar. She participated in development programs and provided training for behavior based safety programs at Huber Engineered Woods, LLC, TVA Watts Bar Tri-lateral Safety Alliance, and TVA unit 2 Craft Survey Team.

Rebecca brings strong safety initiatives to the employees by providing training in the field with hands on knowledge and understanding of the state and federal regulations. Occupational safety and health is an important part of maintaining a workplace free of risk and hazards. She will set the tone by making regular unannounced visits to all Merit Construction jobsites ensuring risk hazards are mitigated and safety remains Merit’s “Value and #1 Priority.”

Merit takes safety seriously as one of the seven selected “Core” members in the statewide AGC Self-Insured Worker’s Compensation Trust. Our motto is, “it is imperative that the tone is set early for a safe, clean job site.” A safe site is crucial in order for the schedule to be maintained and to ensure the safety of all those involved in the project. Seeing is believing. Merit’s award winning safety program is continually growing and evolving as the recipient of the Associated General Contractors Construction Safety and Excellence Award in 2003,2005,2007,2009, 2012, and 2015.