About Us
Merrimac International is a woman-owned, Texas-based boutique executive search firm founded in July 2020 by Mary McIntyre. Since its founding, Merrimac has operated debt-free, tripled its revenue, and completed 43 executive searches in 2024 alone.
At Merrimac International, we are passionate about partnering with our clients to enable their businesses for long-term success. We are focused on making the best match - not only matching the required skill set and experience of executives to companies, but also matching cultures and motivations so companies and executives can thrive in an environment where they can grow and expand their businesses and careers together. We seek to find the right attitudes and abilities of candidates for long-term partnerships within the organizations.
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We partner with our clients and fully understand their businesses, inside and out, becoming an extension of them to the marketplace. As we approach potential (and passive) candidates, we take a personal approach in getting to know every candidate we speak with.
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We focus on developing and maintaining long-term relationships with all of our partners. We look forward to adding like-minded companies to our partnership, focusing on integrity, honesty, and trust. We believe people want more than a transaction - we promise that everyone we do business with will receive a positive and personal experience.
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Merrimac International is certified by The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC). This distinction reflects our adherence to the highest global standards in executive search and leadership advisory. As an AESC member, we are held to a strict code of professional conduct, ensuring that every search we conduct is ethical, confidential, and aligned with our clients’ best interests.
As a State of Texas WBE and HUB-certified, woman-owned business, we are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion both within our firm and in every search we lead. Our 100% female executive leadership team and 15% minority staff reflect our values in action. Our broad networks across North America and internationally allow us to identify and engage diverse, high-impact leaders who reflect the communities they serve
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Our Core Values
HIGH INTEGRITY
We believe in being honest and transparent at all times and holding ourselves to the highest level of integrity.
CULTURE DRIVEN
Merrimac's culture is the foundation for our actions, decisions, and behaviors. They guide us in all that we do. In addition, we understand that every company has its own unique culture & environment. We pride ourselves on understanding the distinctiveness of each of our clients.
COLLABORATIVE PARTNER & TRUSTED ADVISOR
We strive to be partners and advisors to our clients before, during and after the search process. We act in the best interest of our clients at all times. We are committed to building and maintaining trust with both clients and executives in all that we do.
PROGRESSIVE & AGILE
We know that the world and the workplace is always changing. We work quickly and anticipate the marketplace as well as our clients' needs. We take our client's perspectives and act proactively to ensure a positive experience.
COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE
We consistently aim to achieve the highest standards in everything we do. We focus on presenting quality candidates with the right skill set and culture fit for every role and client in a timely manner.
COMMUNITY FOCUSED
We are actively engaged in the community, particularly in supporting our veterans. We work closely with retiring military officers and special ops to integrate their leadership abilities into industry. Additionally, a few programs we have invested our time in include: The British American Foundation of Texas, The Honor Foundation, and Impact a Hero, among others.
Meet The Leadership Team
Mary McIntyre
President
Mary has over 25 years of experience across multiple industries in leadership roles. Following a number of years in leadership positions in finance, Mary joined a global executive search firm in the energy industry, assisting in growing the company internationally from both the London and Houston offices. She then joined FWB Park Brown as Managing Director of Houston, growing it to a well-established business over five years before purchasing the North America business and creating Merrimac International. Mary has completed executive assignments for a broad range of clients across multiple industries including technology, industrial services, manufacturing, transportation, EPC, and energy. She has particularly strong expertise across all sectors of the energy industry in the US, Middle East, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Mary is a Board Member of the British American Business Council Texas, as well as a member of the Polish American Chamber of Commerce in Texas, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Society of Underwater Technology, and the Association for Corporate Growth. She is also an active supporter of Impact A Hero and the British American Foundation of Texas. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sam Houston State University.
Amber Weliver
Head of Research
Amber has a strong foundation in retained executive search and is particularly skilled in identifying and attracting top level candidates for senior and executive level appointments. Having joined the industry full time in 2017, Amber has experience sourcing executive candidates across the US and also internationally and has worked in both London and Houston in executive search. Her experience spans industries including manufacturing, industrial services, energy, transportation, technology and non-profit. Amber graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. She is actively involved in community choirs and sings at events for charities including The British American Foundation of Texas and Dressed to Kilt.
Lauren Vielock
Head of Executive Search
Lauren has over 15 years of experience in executive recruitment both in the United States and Internationally. After starting her career in financial lending, Lauren joined a global retained search firm working for a range of clients across industries. Lauren joined FWB Park Brown in 2016 as an Associate in the Houston office and was integral to the growth of the company in North America. Lauren moved to Merrimac International in 2020. She has executed assignments at mid management through Executive and Board level in a variety of industries. Lauren offers a broad knowledge of US manufacturing, technology, and support sectors as well as having a distinct knowledge of the energy industry globally. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from The University of Texas at Austin and is a certified administrator of Myers Briggs Type Indicator psychometric. She is a member of the British American Business Council, The Petroleum Club of San Antonio, Coastal Conservation Association, Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and The Hospice Foundation.
Stuart Cochrane
Advising Consultant
Stuart joined Merrimac International in the fall of 2025 as Advising Consultant, expanding the company's presence across the UK and Europe. Stuart is an accomplished international business leader, board member, and managing consultant with a strong track record of driving growth, revenue, and operational excellence across corporate, private, and charitable enterprises. Having held senior leadership roles within the oil and gas services sector, Stuart joined Park Brown International, an established executive search firm, in 2002. After acquiring the business, he spearheaded significant domestic expansion in the UK and launched international offices in Perth (Australia), Calgary, and Houston. In 2013, Stuart led the merger of Park Brown with FWB, creating Scotland’s largest and most successful multi-sector executive search practice. Following a period of sustained growth, the company was successfully transitioned to its management team. Stuart then founded Ochter Consulting, a strategic advisory firm specializing in strategy and market development, organisational transformation, operational excellence, and leadership development. Stuart possesses deep expertise in the international energy sector, supported by extensive networks of senior executives, business leaders, and investors across global markets. He holds an HNC in Mechanical Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and an MBA from the University of Edinburgh.