Merris Group, LLC was founded by Mantha Phillips, a 38 year industry veteran and native of Wyoming.  Raised in the ranching and real estate industries, Phillips was a principal and broker in Phillips & Company, a ranch real estate firm for 30 years.  From 1991 to 2011, she was a principal in River Island Ranch, breeding and raising Quarter Horse performance horses.  Phillips also served as the Marketing Director for VA Resources developing the master plans for a commercial and industrial development.  She served as the State Director for U.S. Congresswoman Cubin overseeing all federal issues in Wyoming from 1994 to 2001.  Phillips was a founding member and stockholder of Agri-Management, Inc., a firm specializing in agricultural property management from 1984 to 1995.  She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Wyoming Stockgrowers Agricultural Land Trust , serving as the Chairman of the Ranchland Succession Program.  She also serves as a commissioner on the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission.