Merkle,www.merkle.com, the nation's largest and fastest growing independent customer relationship marketing agency, today announced the appointment of Nick Dryfuse as vice president, technology solutions. In this newly created position, Dryfuse will oversee the technology delivery organization that supports the development of Integrated Customer Marketing TM approaches that combine data, technology and analytics for clients within key industry verticals that include insurance, financial services, healthcare, fundraising, retail, travel and entertainment.

Dryfuse joins Merkle with more than 15 years of experience in implementing enterprise-wide business systems at several Fortune 500 organizations. Prior to Merkle, Dryfuse was employed with the global consulting leader, Capgemini, for nearly 10 years. Most recently, as principal, he was chartered with completing highly sensitive, multi-million dollar technology projects for corporate clients while leading large program teams of IT professionals in multiple countries. Earlier, Dryfuse was a program manager at the San Francisco office of Ernst & Young. Additionally, Dryfuse served as lieutenant in the United States Navy.

Zhengda "Z" Shen, Merkle Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said, "Nick Dryfuse is an extremely talented professional, and I have great confidence in his ability to further develop and deliver truly integrated marketing solutions that seamlessly bring together data, analytics and technology along with our industry vertical expertise. Nick's experience in building both technology solutions and expert professional teams will greatly benefit our current and future clients, and I am pleased to be welcoming him to the Merkle team."

Dryfuse said, "Joining Merkle was a simple decision for me to make. The company has no shortage of extremely talented, bright people with incredible ideas. I believe the marriage of these ideas and the best technology available is what continues to set Merkle apart in the industry, and I am enthusiastically looking forward to improving and driving results for Merkle's clients."

Dryfuse will be based in Merkle's headquarters in Columbia, Md.