Gary Merkel

Gary Merkel has extensive experience in various leadership and instructional roles. Currently serving as the Director of Outside Services at Rockford Reachout since September 2014, Gary focuses on aiding individuals in transitioning from jail or prison into society. Concurrently, since February 2009, Gary has been a GED instructor at Rock Valley College, primarily teaching math and providing coaching across all GED subjects. Previous experience includes a variety of management positions at Hamilton Sundstrand from September 1974 to December 1999, where Gary specialized in continuous improvement, strategic planning, and data center operations. Additionally, Gary served as an Elder and Chairman of the Elder Board at First Free Church from 1977 to 1997, where responsibilities included conflict resolution and decision-making. Gary earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater between 1966 and 1971.