(Nashville, TN) – Mr. Matt Merrick, Executive Vice President of Merrick Printing Company in Louisville, Kentucky, was named by the Printing Industry Association of the South, Inc. (PIAS) as their 2023 Person of the Year. This honor was bestowed at a banquet held on June 6, 2023 during the PIAS Annual Convention at the Hilton SanDestin Beach Resort in Destin, Florida.

In his youth, Matt had tremendous passion for the developing the computer market. In 1979 as an 11 year old, he established computer connections from Louisville, KY to locations in Boston and San Francisco. Later upon attending a Microsoft computer convention, he learned in a general conversation with convention personnel that he was supposed to be on stage that evening to receive one of the first 7 Microsoft system engineer certificates ever presented.

After graduating from the University of Louisville, Matt was presented with opportunities outside of the Merrick family businesses. These opportunities were never really considered, as he always wanted to stay and work with family operations dating all the way back to 1902. While managing the IT department and building a team, he established relationships where the company would often do Alpha and Beta testing for companies like Adobe, Microsoft and others. At one point they tested a software called Carousel, a couple years before it hit the market….. Carousel became what is a PDF.

At the age of 26, Matt became an Officer of Merrick Printing Company and also serves on the Board of Directors. While developing and managing the company IT department, he also took over management of the largest account of which he understands in more detail than anyone including the customer. He is prepared to lead the family business for many years into the future.

In 2012 he joined the Board of Directors of PIAS, later serving as Chairman in 2017-2018.

Matt is married to his beautiful wife, Jennifer and they have a wonderful son currently in High School earning straight A’s. Matt is guided in life by his faith in God, love of family and friends and his strong participation in his church activities.

Matt was joined by his wife and son as well as his brother David and his family as he received this special honor.

The PIAS Person of the Year is chosen for service to the printing industry, community and betterment of the graphic arts industry as a whole.