Meet Our Team

Carolyn Thompson

Managing Principal & CEO

Carolyn Thompson is a US-based entrepreneurial business leader and founder of The Merito Group. With over twenty years of experience in talent acquisition and executive coaching, she is an industry thought leader and a published subject matter expert.

Hobby or outside volunteer interests?
I am on several boards which keeps me busy, but I walk my dogs a lot and love to ride my bike and electric scooter.

Fun fact about yourself that few people know?
Running several companies requires that I wear many hats every day. I started my first business when I was 14 which was making unique custom cakes for people.

Jake Hanson

Director of RPO and Sourcing Services
Jake leads Merito Group’s Recruitment Process Outsourcing team with a customer-focused and results driven approach. He specializes in high-volume projects supporting Government Contractors as well as temporary and direct-hire searches across industries.

Best vacation you’ve had and what made it special?
When I went to the Virgin Islands for my 40th Birthday. The house I rented was awesome and we swam with sea turtles.

Favorite thing about your work?
I like helping people who are really unhappy get a new job that changes their lives.

Bruce Cafurello

Bruce Cafurello

Director of Accounting & Finance
Bruce is Merito Group’s Financial Officer and oversees company operations including accounting and payroll, procurement, vendor management, contract negotiation, and billing. Also serves as an Executive Sponsor for Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) programs and talent acquisition contract awards for key accounts and clients in the government contracting industry.

Hobby or outside volunteer interests?
Coaching wrestling from elementary through high school.

Best Vacation you’ve had and what made it special?
Outer Banks and coming home with two Rottweiler puppies

Megan Walston

Office Manager
Megan Walston is Merito Group’s Office Manager and Firm Administrator. She works with the team to assist in projects, onboarding, and organization. She enjoys assisting candidates and clients to ensure all needs are meet. In her spare time, she can be found traveling, crafting, or spending time with family.

Person you admire and why?
My parents. They have been together for 35 years and are still going strong. They are the example I hold myself to.

Hobby or outside volunteer interests?
I am a huge crafter. I love cross stitch, watercolor, and calligraphy.

Diane Daguman

Diane Daguman

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Diane is the talent acquisition specialist at Merito Group. She assists the team with various requisitions by helping source candidates, meeting with clients, and preparing marketing materials for candidates & clients.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications major in Media Studies.

Favorite Sport & Team
I have been a huge Roger Federer fan. My late father is a tennis enthusiast. He was the one who introduced me to this sport. I love and will always go back to that precious memory I had with him when he discussed this sport with me.

Nate Barrago

Nate Barrago

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Nathan is a skilled Talent Acquisition Associate/ Recruiter with four years of experience in recruiting for well-known Healthcare, IT, and Manufacturing companies in the United States, and he is currently working in the Business Development field.
He has worked with various media and recruiting platforms to conduct networking, deep web Boolean, and X-ray sourcing.
Nathan believes in connecting and building relationships with people because skills can get you far but building relationships can get you long way.

Where were you born?
Makati City, Philippines

Favorite Lunch or breakfast order? My both favorite lunch and breakfast is Ramen.

Diana Jimenez

Diana Jimenez

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Diana is a highly enthusiastic person, who always seeks to achieve her goals, you know what people say ” eyes on the prize” she constantly looks to match the best talents with outstanding companies.

Favorite thing about your work?
That I never have the same day

Person, you admire and why?
My sister and the reason is she is the most resilient person that I know.

Nate Barrago

Emily Gustin

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Emily has been in recruiting for almost 4 years, she absolutely loves connecting with people, partnering with clients, and leading candidates throughout their career. It’s such a special feeling knowing I have supported someone with a huge decision in their life!

Hobby or outside volunteer interests?
I love traveling overall, but I love exploring small towns. Whether it be a small town outside of where I reside, or whenever I am visiting a larger town. I love to check out local shops and eateries.

Favorite thing about your work?
Meeting and connecting with new people everyday.

Sam Park

Sam Park

Senior Recruiter

Sam Park is Merito Group’s Sr. Recruiter. He has 10+ years of recruiting experience in the finance, accounting, technical and trades field. Sam has worked for small to multi-billion dollar companies in both an agency and corporate environment. He is experienced with CONUS and OCONUS roles that are both cleared and uncleared.

Person, you admire and why? I would say that I admire my mother. She moved to the US w/ hardly any money, no understanding of the English language and left her entire immediate family back home for her kids to have a better life in America.

Hobby or outside volunteer interests? I enjoy watching sports, movies and love to try new foods.

Location

1934 Old Gallows Road
Suite 404
Vienna, VA 22182

Hours: Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 6:00pm

Call us

 (844) 994-4473

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