Cheryl Merchant
Chief Executive Officer
Cheryl has 40 years of leadership and management experience in manufacturing. She has held leadership positions with industry giants like GM, Mazda, Ford, and Lear Corporation and led teams in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and throughout Europe and Asia. Cheryl spent 19 years as the President and CEO of Hope Global, a manufacturing company with over 2,000 employees and operations in the U.S., Mexico, the Czech Republic, China, and Brazil. During that period, Hope Global grew five times in revenue and became a Tier II leader in the Automotive Industry. In 2019, Cheryl joined Taco as President of Taco Family of Companies, North America. In March 2020, Cheryl was promoted to CEO of Taco Family of Companies Global operations. Since taking the helm, Taco has doubled in revenue, expanded the workforce by 350 team members, acquired a new business unit in England, and has planned global operational facility expansions of over 243,000 sq, ft. in the next 3 years.
Cheryl has received awards over her career that include Providence Business News Rhode Island Business Women’s Career Achievement Award (2022) and Leadership Award (2001, 2014), New England Business Woman of the Year (2014), Mentor of the Year PBN RI (2016), Crain’s Women in Manufacturing of the Year (2018), Trailblazer in Business / Cheryl Watkins Snead Award (2018). She holds two Honorary Doctorates from New England Institute of Technology for Humane Letters and Bryant University for Business.
Her community work includes being a member of the Board of Governors for the Rhode Island Commodores, Advisory Board Member for the University of Rhode Island, member of the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association Advisory Board, and a Board member of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Cheryl has also served in the past as a Trustee (Secretary and Chair of Student Affairs) for Bryant University, Board of Governors, and a Trustee of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. She has also served on the boards of Rhode Island Economic Development, Governor’s Workforce Board, the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation, and the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.
Taco Company News
Taco’s Fall River, MA, Plant Expansion
For Immediate Release Contact: John Vastyan, Common Ground 717/664-0535; johnv@seekcg.comOrKen Scannell, Taco Comfort Solutions401/942-8000; kensca@TacoComfort.comStrategic Investment Future-Proofs Manufacturing Taco’s Fall River, MA, Plant Expansion...
Matt Hinson is Named Doctor of Water
Photo caption: Matt Hinson (left) receives the Doctor of Water degree from SCWUA President Stephanie Moreno.For Immediate Release John Vastyan, Common Ground717/664-0535; JohnV@SeekCG.comOrKen Scannell, Taco Comfort Solutions401/942-8000Matt Hinson, Engineering Sales...
New Taco Hydroflo Pump Solutions Facility Opens in Lubbock, TX
For Immediate Release Contact: John Vastyan, Common Ground 717/664-0535; JohnV@SeekCG.com OrKen Scannell, Taco Comfort Solutions401/942-8000Taco Hydroflo Pump Solutions has opened a new...
Taco Comfort Solutions Recognized for Support of the RPA
During the 2017 AHR Expo in Las Vegas, the Radiant Professionals Alliance (RPA) Social and Networking Event took place on the evening of Jan 31st at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. The occasion saw the presentation of the RPA's first “Lifetime Achievement...
Taco’s SmartPlug Wins AHR Expo Product of the Year
Taco Comfort Solutions' SmartPlug Instant Hot Water Control® has been awarded recognition as 2017 AHR Expo Product of the Year. After winning the Innovation Award/plumbing category, the SmartPlug was selected from among the award's 10 categories as Product of the...
Taco Comfort Solutions Wins Local Safety Award
Taco Comfort Solutions has earned the 2017 Excellence in Safety Performance & Records Award from Providence Business News, Rhode Island’s statewide business weekly.
0026e, 0034e, 0034ePlus Incorrect Wiring Instructions
Part Numbers Effected: VM2644-HD1-RC2A00, VM2644-DD1-RS2A00, VM3450-HY1-FC2A00, VM3450-HY1-FS2A00, VR3450-HY1-FC2A00, VR3450-HY1-FS2A00 Date Code Effected: 4/20 – 4/22 Incorrect wiring guidance was included in the 0026e, 0034e, & 0034ePlus instruction sheets that...
Taco Announces New ECM High-Efficiency Circulators
Taco Comfort Solutions® has expanded their family of easy-to-use, ECM high-efficiency circulators with the addition of the 0034e™ and 0034ePlus™ models. With a maximum of 34 feet of head and 50 gpm, the new circulators offer up to 85 percent energy savings over a...
Taco Launches Redesigned, High-Efficiency Commercial Pump Line
For Immediate Release Contact: John Vastyan, Common Ground, 717/664-0535; JohnV@SeekCG.com OrKen Watson, Taco Comfort Solutions, 401/942-8000 Taco Launches...