Dr. Merritt Norvell serves as Executive Vice President and Managing Director in the firm's Lansing, Michigan office. He is also Leader of the Education Group. Prior to joining DHR, Dr. Norvell enjoyed 36 years of unique and diverse management experiences ranging from the IBM Corporation to university administration. Since joining DHR, he has developed a successful specialty practice in Education and Sports. He also has conducted senior assignments in the areas of Information Technology, Human Resources, Board Services, and Diversity.Dr. Norvell spent 16 years in a variety of marketing and management positions in the IBM Corporation which included Academic Information Systems (ACIS) where he was National Manager of Market Support Services and Collegiate Merchandising Programs Manager. After retiring from IBM, he became Athletic Director at Michigan State University where he was responsible for the leadership of the nation’s 16th largest intercollegiate athletic program. During his tenure at Michigan State, his basketball, hockey and volleyball teams all won multiple Big Ten and CCHA championships and bowl games and made NCAA Final Four Tournament appearances. He has also been an Assistant Dean of Graduate School Administration; Assistant to The Vice Chancellor; Head Football Coach; TV and Radio Broadcaster; City Director of Community and Relocation Services; a Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer and Psychiatric Social Worker.Dr. Norvell is an active consultant, lecturer and mentor to some of the country’s most visible and respected institutions and with the NCAA Minority Male Leadership Institute, the Black Coaches Association’s Professional Development Program, the Division 1A Athletic Directors and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, Inc. He has served in a variety of leadership roles on community and academic boards: the University of Wisconsin Madison Athletic Board, Alumni Board, and School of Business Advisory Board; United Negro College Fund, NCAA Budget and Finance Cabinet, Big Ten Conference Budget Committee, and has chaired the Madison Urban League, Wisconsin Special Olympics and Madison Wisconsin Community Foundation Boards. He is a member of the 1962 Wisconsin Big Ten Championship and 1963 Rose Bowl football team. He earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate Degrees from the University of Wisconsin Madison.