2026 Dynamic Dozen Heart of the Team Award: Connie Merritt

In the 10 years Connie Merritt has spent with Toth and Associates Inc., she has found herself at the center of the multidisciplinary engineering firm, coordinating day-to-day operations for the Springfield office and supporting locations in Montana, Oregon and Washington state.

She began as the receptionist, coordinating a Christmas luncheon and company picnic in addition to front-of-house duties. “Those two events turned into craziness,” she says.

Although her official title is office administrator, Merritt jokes that “chaos coordinator” would be more accurate. Merritt oversees a team of volunteers who help her run the firm’s growing list of events in addition to managing front-of-house operations, client appreciation efforts, staff care packages and operational logistics for expansions and relocations.

Merritt’s role may not be front-and-center, but it’s crucial to the firm’s operations. “Much of what keeps departments and office locations running smoothly happens behind the scenes, and Connie is at the center of it,” says nominator LaLonna Walden. “Her work is often invisible, but its impact is constant.”

SBJ: How would you describe your role at Toth and Associates?
Connie Merritt: A lot of it is making sure the wheels are spinning in the right direction on a daily basis. I put in a lot of hours. They told me last year that I put in more hours than anybody in the company, and I think people see that.

SBJ: What drives you to put so much into this work?
Merritt: At the end of the day, I go home, and I’m proud of what we’ve done. I grew up on a farm, and I learned to work hard when I was young, so I think that is instilled in me today.
I have a passion to see everyone happy. I think that is what drives me to want to do these events, because people enjoy themselves, and when they’re happy, it brings joy to me to know that I’ve done a good job.

SBJ: Your nominator praised your ability to anticipate challenges before they arise. What advice do you have for those trying to stay on top of it all?
Merritt: It takes time. I have 10 1/2 years worth of time here. As you get comfortable, you get to know this place inside and out. Day to day, I try to see what’s happening, and, gosh, I feel like you have to have your head on a swivel all the time. Someone needs that in every company. I try to look ahead at things that are going on, and if I see something coming that is going to need work, I try to foresee that so it doesn’t sneak up on us. I try to be cognizant of when people have things going on in their families. I try to get cards or flowers or whatever they need. I have made so many friends here, and I appreciate that they’re comfortable telling me what’s going on in their lives, so I try to be that person to them.

SBJ: What traits make a great teammate?
Merritt: A great teammate is someone willing to help you and stick beside you as many hours as they can. Having the dedication to be able to stick in there as long as they can, and being able to understand my vision and being willing to do the work it takes to execute it the way I want to. They don’t know it, but they’re a lot like me. I think a great teammate is when you’re all on the same page, and you can make it all happen.