Jim Merkel has an accomplished record of building profitable businesses and brands, developing winning teams, and delivering outstanding results that benefit customers and partners. He has led high-growth operations, turned around underperforming companies, transformed existing businesses, and launched successful start-ups, including Coca-Cola, Sunkist, Worldwide Beverage Company, Hola Cola, and K&J Beverage Group. Jim has been with The Hansen Group for eight years and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied marketing.

On a personal note, Jim is married to a pharmacist, and they have three children: two sons and a daughter. His wife is involved with Adopt a Golden, and they have a golden retriever named Chief. Outside of THG, Jim has a passion for working with young girls as a high school basketball coach, a role he has held for the past 26 years.