Anyone who knows Merv Symes (BScEng'81) would certainly say he's made an impressive contribution to New Brunswick, and New Brunswickers, over the course of his life and career. A corporate leader, a consultant who helped bring efficiencies to the provincial government, an educator shaping young entrepreneurs, and later in life, an entrepreneur himself helping other businesses scale – his impact has been vast.

Merv's story is one of service, learning, and legacy. His journey from painting aluminum siding trim and roofing houses to shaping businesses and teaching the next generation has been defined by hard work, deep curiosity, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Born the son of a blue-collar entrepreneur, Merv's first business lessons came not from textbooks but from hands-on experience in the family roofing and siding business, where he could be found painting siding trim at 12 years old, working on roofs at 13, and selling his first job at 14. By 16, he was already working with the accountant for his parents' business. That business made it possible for Merv to pursue an education, and in 1981, he crossed the stage at UNB as the first in his family to earn a university degree.

Upon graduating with a bachelor of engineering, he headed west to Grand Prairie, Alta., to work with Procter & Gamble, but what he didn't realize at the time was that he had landed in one of two beta test facilities for high-performance organizations within P&G. It was the early 1980s – a period of economic turmoil when mortgage rates soared to 21.5 per cent, inflation was out of control, and North American manufacturing faced intense pressure from Japanese imports. In this challenging environment, Merv learned the foundations of modern management systems and operational excellence. He quickly rose through the ranks, honing his ability to lead, build, and nurture talent.

Procter & Gamble is known for developing some of the world's most accomplished business leaders, and Merv's experience there was formative. His trajectory took him through roles in Kenora and Cornwall before bringing him back east in the late 1980s, where he joined J.D. Irving, Ltd. (JDI), one of Canada's largest family-owned businesses.

Starting as a mill supervisor, Merv's talent for systemic improvement and leadership propelled him forward. By the time he left JDI, he had become vice-president of organizational change, responsible for embedding cutting-edge management practices across a multi-billion-dollar, vertically integrated organization.

His influence on JDI was profound. He introduced modern management systems, including Lean Six Sigma, Michael Hammer's Process Framework, The 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX), the Balanced Scorecard methodology, and perhaps most significantly, they rewired how the organization led change. He worked closely with HR leader Colleen Baxter (BBA'00) to build JDI's talent pipeline strategically, ensuring the company remained competitive.

Most importantly, Merv was the crucial link between theory and execution: he took frameworks developed in academic settings and stress-tested them in real-world applications. His work laid the foundation for a performance-driven culture at JDI, one that extended beyond the company and into the broader business and government landscape.

A passion for education

In the early 2000s, Merv's expertise caught the attention of Dr. Dhirendra Shukla, who was new to UNB and tasked with evolving UNB's Technology Management & Entrepreneurship (TME) program. At the time, the program had just 50 students and lacked visibility with major employers.

In their first meeting, Merv provided a sharp critique of how far UNB had fallen behind in preparing students for modern business challenges. Instead of pushing back, Dr. Shukla saw an opportunity and famously responded, “That's fantastic! How about you teach the course on quality management?”

That challenge reignited Merv's love of learning, and over the next decade, he dedicated every fall term to teaching TME students about operational excellence and business strategy. With his help in developing curriculum and providing student mentorship, the TME program grew to over 700 students and launched more than 184 startups, 64 per cent of which are still active. Those ventures raised over $57 million and created more than 500 jobs in the province. UNB was ranked the top entrepreneurial school in Canada.

“Merv played an essential early role in our success, and his family and company continue to be involved,” Dr. Shukla says. “They have always shown up in a big way and are huge champions of UNB, its students, and New Brunswick businesses. Merv's contribution to UNB and New Brunswick has been immense.”

Merv's work also had a lasting impact on New Brunswick's education system. Under the leadership of Gerald Richard and Monique Boudreau, he helped transform the Francophone education system, making it the fastest-improving in Canada and the eighth-fastest in the world. His methodology became embedded in school governance, ensuring sustainable progress for future generations.

Turning education into entrepreneurship

While Merv's impact on students was immeasurable, his influence extended beyond academia: in the public sphere, he was recruited by Jane Washburn, head of effectiveness and efficiency for the Government of New Brunswick. She had been a colleague at JDI and recognized his ability to drive change. As a consultant with GNB, he implemented performance excellence within the civil service, improving operations in critical sectors like education and healthcare.

After years of leading within large organizations, Merv chose to step away from JDI to combine his passion for education and entrepreneurship by founding his own firm with his sons, Matt (BA'04/BEd'04) and Mark (BScF'08).

Symplicity Designs is an organizational design firm dedicated to helping businesses and government organizations improve execution, efficiency, and impact. Over the last 13 years, Symplicity has worked with more than 600 organizations, guiding them through crisis, transformation, and growth. Some of Merv's most meaningful work has been with family-owned businesses in Atlantic Canada, including Moosehead Breweries, Groupe Savoie, and Armour Transportation. The firm's methodology has empowered entrepreneurs across the region to scale their operations and grow into powerhouses.

"Merv Symes is New Brunswick at its best." Andrew Oland

Andrew Oland, President & CEO of Moosehead Breweries was quick to give Merv accolades. “Outside of my parents, no individual has played a greater role in my growth and development both personally and professionally than Merv Symes. Merv was instrumental in the long-term growth of JD Irving Limited, and with the establishment of Symplicity Designs has been able to pass on his wisdom, techniques, and passion for improvement to hundreds of New Brunswicker companies and business leaders, leading to a better New Brunswick for all of us. Merv Symes is New Brunswick at its best."

Jean-Claude Savoie, Owner Groupe Savoie, agrees. “Merv's impact on Groupe Savoie has helped guide our forestry business into a new era. We are providing opportunities to rural New Brunswickers, we are able to reinvest at a faster rate on the capital improvements to stay competitive, and we are actively recruiting immigrants to help us fill roles. We owe a good deal of our ability to do this to Merv and his influence."

Putting resilience to the test – and leaving a legacy

In May 2020, Merv was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and given just one year to live. True to his nature, he approached the disease with the same calm, resilience, and clarity that had defined his career. He reminded his family of one of his core beliefs: “You have to see the world as it is, not as you wish it was.”

“You have to see the world as it is, not as you wish it was.”

In 2025, as he nears the final chapter of his life, his impact continues – not only through the businesses and institutions he transformed, but through the lessons he instilled in students and in those who worked alongside him. His sons, Matt and Mark, also UNB grads, carry forward his work at Symplicity Designs, ensuring that the principles he championed – strategic clarity, execution, and continuous improvement – remain at the heart of the organization.

As his family, friends, clients, and colleagues reflect on Merv's journey and impact, they celebrate a man who left every place better than he found it – a testament to the power of hard work, deep thinking, and an unwavering belief in what's possible. Matt shares, “Dad always believed that knowledge for its own sake is meaningless – its value comes from implementation. His legacy is proof that the right ideas, executed well, can change industries, governments, and lives.”

As one of 100,000 UNB alumni we are incredibly proud to call our own, Merv took the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship he found early on at UNB and carried it into the world, leaving an indelible mark. His legacy will live on in the businesses he helped grow, the students he mentored, and the family he led with love and purpose.

Photo submitted by the family: Mark (BScF'08), Merv (BScEng'81) and Matt (BA'04/BEd'04) Symes