Chad understands the importance of a solid foundation. That’s why he established 7B Building & Development on the bedstone of faith and family.

After graduating from Texas Tech University in 1991, Chad and his wife Donell raised their three boys, Derrick, Trey, and Jordan, who now serve as co-owners of the Merchant Family Companies. They credit the faithfulness of God that they can do what they love as a family.

When not working, Chad spends time with his seven grandkids or practicing his team roping skills.

Derrick oversees all 7B Building & Development divisions and the other Merchant Family Companies.

With a business degree from Lubbock Christian University, Derrick gives credit to his father Chad, for teaching him everything he knows about business & leadership over the last two decades. Derrick was a natural fit for the companies and assumed the CEO position three years ago. He and his wife, Tasha, have two boys, Malachi and Lincoln.

When not in the office, Derrick spends his time with his family, playing golf, hunting & watching Texas Tech athletics. With a heart for service, you can often find Derrick at his church or serving on the board of a faith-based ministry such as the Lubbock Christian University Business Board, Higher Ground Ministries, or Business Operation on Mission.

Following in the family's footsteps, Trey graduated from Texas Tech University in 2012.

He and his wife Corie have three children: twins Britton and Madden and daughter Sutton. His life is also rooted in faith and family. Trey's ultimate desire is to lead his children as a humble and godly father.

As a sports enthusiast, Trey enjoys golf, hunting, and watching his beloved Texas Tech basketball (Wreck ‘Em Tech!). He has combined his love of athletics and faith by sitting on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Jordan is a man who understands commitment.

As the President of Construction, he oversees each project from breaking ground to completion. Jordan married his high school sweetheart Taylor, and the two are raising their sons, Jaxson and Grayson.

When not on a job site, you can find Jordan playing basketball with his boys, fishing, or cheering on his, you guessed it, Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Kordell is another family-oriented member of our team.

A recent graduate, Kordell earned a degree in Business Management from Wayland Baptist University in 2020. With deep faith, Kordell strives to live his life devoted to the Lord.

He enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and watching any sports he can find.

Sheila is the Construction Contracts Specialist at 7B Building and Development.

Tristan recently graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a Bachelor's in Business Management. Tristan began working for 7B during his junior year of college as the estimating intern & upon graduation, he took on a full-time construction estimating position.

Tristan is married to Holland Baker who he met at LCU & according to him, convincing her to say yes is his biggest achievement in life so far. Tristan also has a love for sports & the outdoors so when he’s not with Holland, you will most likely find him golfing, disc golfing, or hanging with the guys around a campfire.

Kyle is the Director of Estimating for 7B Building and Development. He graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelor's of Business Administration. He has prior experience as an estimator and project manager for a civil construction company in the Marble Falls area.

Kyle enjoys hiking, running, hunting, fishing, and preaching. On the weekends, Kyle spends time with his friends and family.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Louisiana, Kiara is settling into life with her family in Lubbock, Texas. She has been happily married to her husband, Tim, since 2012, and together, they have two amazing children, TJ and Olivia. She graduated from Southern University and A&M College with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science. With 10 years of experience in accounting, she has developed a strong professional background in the field.

In her free time, she enjoys indulging in her passions for music, being near the water, jogging, or taking long walks. She's also an avid reader, particularly enjoying mystery novels and self-help books.

Keila was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina. She now enjoys a fulfilling life with her loving family. Her family includes her 10-year-old son, adorable fluffy dog, and devoted husband. They share a passion for exploration, often embarking on exciting travels, hikes, and outdoor grilling adventures.

In 2021, they moved to Lubbock, Texas, and have been immensely grateful for the warm and welcoming people they've encountered.

Keila spends her weekends having quality family time, featuring lively board game nights, leisurely park strolls with their dog, and spirited soccer games.

Christine is the Office Coordinator and Construction Assistant at 7B Building & Development. She joined the team in June of 2022.

Prior to that, Christine worked as a Service Access Manager for a community action agency. Before that, she helped her parents run their businesses for almost ten years until they retired; her mother’s Mexican restaurant and her father’s mechanic shop.

Christine is from the small town of Crosbyton, TX. She is heavily involved in her community and always willing to help those in need. She has three adult children and two grandsons. She loves her children, but her grandsons are the keepers of her heart. She spends most of her free time with her family, cooking alongside her mom.

Pam is the Construction AP Manager for 7B. She has worked in accounting for 7+ years and loves the attention to detail the job requires. She loves getting to know all the Merchants and the family in this building. She is a Lubbock-ite, born and raised, who graduated from Frenship High School, where she met her husband of 15 years. Her miracle baby, Taygan, is 12 years old but is as tall as a grown man. She enjoys spending time with her family and baking for everyone. The accounting department always gets the best goodies.

Randell is a Project Manager for 7B Building & Development. Born and raised across several ranches throughout New Mexico, Randell attended New Mexico Military Institute for high school. He then attended Texas Tech University, obtaining his bachelor’s in business management and a minor in political science in 2020.

Since graduating from Texas Tech, Randell has been involved in multiple construction faucets. From gravel mining to utilities, he thrives off learning all he can and pushing himself and those around him to be the best they can be.

When not in the office, Randell spends his free time with his fiancé Kippi and their two dogs, Zoe & Zeke. He enjoys playing the piano, golfing in the summer, and snowboarding in the winter. He thanks his family, friends, and God for all his success!

Kaitlyn serves as the Assistant Development Project Manager for 7B Building and Development. She grew up in the small town of Ballinger, Texas. Kaitlyn has been in the title industry since 2018 and loves the high intensity. You can find Kaitlyn hanging out with family and friends in her spare time. When time allows, she also loves to travel, kayak, or be outdoors.

Sam graduated with her bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University in 2014. She spent ten years teaching 3rd grade math and science before joining our team as an Estimating Admin Coordinator. Sam loves spending time with her family (soon-to-be aunt—whoop!) and friends. She enjoys taking her dog, Koda, on adventures and spending time outdoors, whether playing sand volleyball, going to the lake, fishing, or golfing.

Faith graduated with an AAT degree from South Plains College and is currently working on a Business Management Degree at Wayland Baptist University.

Before working here, Faith taught Pre-K for four years and found that her true purpose was to work in Human Resources.

Faith loves education and learning! She spends her weekends and free time serving at her church, reading books, playing instruments, and spending time with my Husband of 2 years, Lyrical, and 3 fur babies, Chewy, Zorro, and Apollo.

Christa graduated with a BBA in Management from West Texas A&M University.

She has been happily married to Chris for 22 years, but the two have been together for 25 years. Together, they have two children, Kade and McKenzie, but their pride and joys are Bud and Shae, their two rescue dogs.

In 2023, they became Meme and Topher to Greyson Bo! They love spending time with him and enjoy it when they have him over for sleepovers.

During the summer months, you can find them at the lake. When they are not at the lake, you can find them at Home Depot because they always have some house remodeling project going on. They love going camping, attending concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

Jacob is a Lubbock native who graduated with honors in Finance from Texas Tech’s Rawls College of Business before earning his J.D. from Texas Tech School of Law. He has experience in Estate Planning, Personal Injury, Municipal, and Administrative Law but ultimately found his true passion in Commercial Real Estate. Jacob is licensed to practice in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Lexi, playing golf, and catching up with friends and family.

Hailee earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising from West Texas A&M University in 2020.

Following graduation, she launched a small digital marketing agency where she partnered with businesses to help them grow their brands and connect with their audiences.

In time, she felt called to ministry, serving as the Children's Director and Marketing Specialist at a local church. It was a season marked by meaningful growth and service.

Hailee is married to her high school sweetheart, and they are eagerly expecting their first child. You'll often find them outdoors with their two dogs, camping, fishing, hiking, or simply unwinding with a good book!

James is currently the Director of Construction at 7B. He served seven years as a Firefighter/Paramedic for the City of Lubbock. From there, he moved into a role as a project manager for a land development and commercial construction company. He enjoys every aspect of the ground-up construction process. Outside of work, James enjoys spending time with his wife, Tiffany, and their daughters, Lillian and Abigail. They enjoy spending time outdoors and serving in their church.

Robert is a Senior Construction Estimator at 7B Building & Development, joining the team in October 2024. With over a decade of experience in roles such as Project Engineer, Territory Manager, Assistant Project Manager, and Lead Estimator, he transitioned fully into estimating in 2020. Throughout his career, Robert has successfully priced and secured diverse projects, including distribution centers, government laboratories, manufacturing facilities, restaurants, mall renovations, retail centers, petroleum stations, and tenant finish-outs.
He has contributed to projects for notable clients such as Simon Property Group, Udelhoven, DSG, Golden Restaurants, Walgreens, Schlumberger, U-Haul Storage, Costco, and more.
Robert earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Texas Tech University in December 2014.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, reading, working out, gaming, acting, visiting museums, exploring new cultures, and continuously pursuing excellence.

Mysti grew up in Lubbock and graduated from Texas Tech. After spending time in Austin, she recently moved back to her hometown. She’s a proud mom to two kids, Emilee and Philip, and shares her home with her rescue dog, Hank. Mysti has a passion for plants, especially succulents. She loves to travel, try new foods, and spend time outdoors - at the beach, lake, or mountains.

Cassandra earned her bachelor's degree in Business Management from Southern Nazarene University, where she continued her education and received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2023.

She finds fulfillment in her faith, spending quality time with family/friends, and exploring the world. Cassandra cherishes moments with her loved ones and eagerly embraces new adventures. Balancing her passions with a love for travel, she seeks to positively impact her journey and the lives of those around her.

Madalyn serves as the Project Coordinator. She was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. Madalynn graduated from Lubbock Christian University in 2023, where she played soccer and received her Bachelor's in Marketing. She enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with friends, but most of all, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Carter, and her family at the ranch.

Holly is the Construction Contract Generalist at 7B Building and Development.

Nita serves as the Recruitment Coordinator for 7B. She has 30+ years of experience in Human Resource Management and holds a PHR certification. Nita's passion in recruiting is finding the right person for the position, being a part of their growth and development, and watching them soar to new heights.

Nita grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where she enjoyed Barrel Racing and was a Rodeo Queen. She married her high school sweetheart, Bill, in 2016. They now live in Lubbock and enjoy their blended family with four children and ten grandkids. Nita is an active member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. In her free time, she and Bill love traveling, attending music concerts and sporting events and enjoying time at home with family and their three dogs.

Fun Fact: She loves the smell of orange blossoms and thinks everyone should have a palm tree in their yard.

Jamie serves as the Development Paralegal for 7B. She has an associate's degree in Paralegal Studies from South Plains College. Jamie spent ten years refining her Civil Litigation Paralegal skills before joining the 7B Building & Development family. She is fascinated with the history buried in the title work of commercial real estate and development and loves that no piece of land or project is the same. She is always learning something new!

Amy is the Accounts Receivable Specialist at 7B Building and Development.

Julianne is a Controller at 7B Building and Development.

Mason, a small town native from Shallowater, Texas, grew up surrounded by the farming and construction industries, fostering a strong work ethic and a hands-on approach to problem-solving. He graduated in December 2024 with a degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas Tech University, equipping him with a well-rounded understanding of financial and dynamic markets. As a construction estimator for 7B, Mason is excited to contribute to the company’s continued growth. Outside work, he enjoys working out, watching sports, and spending quality time with his family and girlfriend, Jordan.

Jennifer is a mama to six kids. She has been married to her husband, Josh, for ten years. She grew up in Lubbock but was born in Springfield, Ohio. She is the AP Clerk for 7B and joined the team at the end of February this year. She is very passionate about her family and her love for coffee. She is known for being very witty and loud. She does not do much outside of family things, but she does enjoy cooking and baking! She also dabbles in T-shirt and tumbler crafts.

Aaron, a Dallas-Fort Worth native, is a construction estimator for 7B and brings hands-on experience and strategic insights to the construction industry, particularly in roofing. Currently pursuing a degree in Construction Engineering at Texas Tech University, Aaron is passionate about translating classroom knowledge into real-world applications. With a focus on innovation and cultural competence, he aims to leverage his skills to build a better world for everyone.

Matthew Young, a driven professional with a remarkable academic and athletic background from Las Cruces, NM, is known for his dedication and diverse interests. During his collegiate journey at Texas Tech University from 2021 to 2023, he achieved dual master's degrees, one in Teaching/Coaching and one in Business Administration, while making significant contributions to the football field. Simultaneously, he obtained a bachelor's degree in Business Marketing from New Mexico State University during his tenure from 2017 to 2021.

Now, in the Business Development department at 7B Building and Development, Matthew leverages his multifaceted skill set to foster growth and drive results. He brings a passion for cultivating relationships, honed through his experience in collegiate athletics and marketing internships. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys a variety of hobbies, including golfing, hunting, lifting weights, traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with family. He particularly enjoys NFL Sundays, College Football Saturdays, and moments spent walking his dog or tossing the football with his nephews.

Gavin Taft grew up helping around the farm in Dalhart, Texas, before moving to Amarillo and eventually settling in Lubbock. He earned his degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University, equipping him with a strong foundation in business strategy and operations. Outside of work, Gavin enjoys playing golf with friends, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and spending time with his dog, Nala!

Jake is a Project Manager at 7B Building and Development.

Cade is the Senior Project Manager at 7B Building and Development.

Matthew Fontaine is a seasoned estimator with over seven years of experience in construction project management, field operations, and estimating. Previously a project manager, Matthew has been pivotal in delivering ground-up municipal, federal, healthcare, senior living, and higher education facilities. One of his most notable projects is the $180M+ multi-phased County Courthouse expansion in Angleton, TX, for Brazoria County - a complex undertaking that required meticulous planning and execution.

A proud Fightin’ Texas Aggie, Matthew graduated as part of the Class of 2019 and continues to bring dedication, precision, and leadership to every project he undertakes. When he is not immersed in construction planning, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brittany, and their two children, Nolan and Adisyn.

Georgia is a VIA Accounting Specialist at 7B Building and Development.

Summer is an Accounting Specialist at 7B Building and Development.