Aurora, Colorado - Oct. 8, 2008 --  John P. Buckle has been appointed to the position of vice president, director of technology projects for Merrick & Company, it was announced by Ralph W. Christie, P.E., board chair, president, and chief executive officer.  In this role, Buckle will oversee all operational and management aspects of Merrick’s technology business unit, the division of Merrick that focuses on nuclear systems design and fabrication.  His responsibilities include oversight of operations in the firm’s Aurora, Colorado; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee offices as well as technology systems projects totaling in excess of $200 million in contract fees.

“The diversity of John’s nuclear systems experience in both the U.S. and U.K. provides our clients with resources and expertise not found in most firms.  We’re pleased to have him leading this highly technical and valuable business unit,” said Christie.

Buckle’s role with Merrick has centered on the management of projects that involve conceptual, preliminary, and detail design, as well as fabrication of special process systems for a broad spectrum of nuclear applications.  This experience also includes process assessment and cost studies of various mixed-oxide fuel processes for plutonium and uranium, transuranic waste (TRU), low-level waste (LLW), and mixed low-level waste (MLLW), in addition to custom commercial projects, waste management strategies, and nuclear facilities decommissioning.

Buckle’s early career was in the U.K. aircraft industry, and since then, his entire career has focused on the nuclear industry including his work in systems design engineering.   Prior to joining Merrick in 2001, he oversaw the 100-person BNFL, Inc.’s Denver operations for four years following a 22-year progressively responsible career with the organization and assignments in both the U.S. and in the U.K. 

He attended Warrington Polytechnic College, located in the U.K. and graduated from that institution with a Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering awarded by the British Royal Aeronautical Society.  Buckle is also a member of the American Glovebox Society.

Merrick’s current nuclear technology systems work includes projects at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y12 Complex, and the Idaho National Laboratory as well as work with the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Australian National Science & Technology Organization, the U.S. National Institute of Standards & Technology, and Atomic Energy Canada Limited.

About Merrick & Company
Merrick & Company, a $75 million engineering, architecture, construction management, and geospatial solutions firm, serves domestic and international clients in the government, energy, life sciences, infrastructure, and geospatial/mapping markets.  Merrick’s work is concentrated on highly technical projects in the fields of renewable energy, nuclear power, government facilities, research laboratories, water resources, public works, and high precision mapping.  Headquartered in Aurora, Colorado, the employee-owned company maintains seven offices in the U.S. as well as offices in Canada and Mexico.