Meet the team

At fourteen years old, Mike Merrick discovered his passion for food while working at a restaurant in Ankeny, Iowa called "The Bear".

Since then, he's enjoyed over 30 years in the food service industry as a kitchen manager, a salesman, a regional manager, a manufacturer's representative, and an independent broker.

Mike believes that any meal is a celebration of togetherness. Whether you're gathered around a ten-foot table for Thanksgiving or stopping on the road with the kids, a good meal starts with good people.

Ben has been a dishwasher, a pizza-maker, a server, and a cafeteria manager.

Now, after independently publishing two novels and teaching high school English for seven years, he's returned to the food industry as a Marketing Specialist.

From baker to broker, Deya Madsen is an expert builder of relationships with a deep knowledge of the food industry. MDB Marketing was delighted to welcome her to the team in April of 2026!