A Maverick Returns with Purpose: John Merrill Honored with Hall of Fame Award

But for John Merrill, a 2025 UTA College of Business Hall of Fame honoree, the road was winding, marked by risk, resilience and a remarkable return more than 40 years later.

“First, I should have been where you are today, 41 years ago,” Merrill said to UTA College of Business graduates during his 2011 commencement speech. “I had completed everything I

needed to graduate except for a couple of courses to wrap up my degree. I signed up for those

courses in the summer of 1970, and then an opportunity interceded. I dropped those courses to

start a business.”

The early ventures didn’t pan out. After initial setbacks in real estate and entrepreneurship, John found his calling in financial planning. He decided to start his own financial planning and investment company, Tanglewood Total Wealth Management, Houston’s first “fee-only” wealth management firm—built on two guiding principles: no commissions, and no involvement in the risky tax shelters that were popular at the time.

“I founded Tanglewood Total Wealth Management on a shoestring in 1979 and led its evolution and growth for many years thereafter,” he said. “Many of the principles and habits developed in those formative years at UTA have stayed with me through the entire journey.”

Today, John serves as president, founder, and chief investment officer of Tanglewood. Under his leadership, the firm has earned national recognition and media attention, with Merrill featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal and appearing on networks such as CNBC, Bloomberg and Fox Business. He also served on Charles Schwab’s Advisory Board and co-authored six books on portfolio management.

John Merrill stands at the podium while delivering his commencement address.

Even with his professional accomplishments, one unfinished goal lingered—his UTA degree.

Despite his success without a degree, John decided to resume his studies at UTA in order to finish his requirements, motivated in part by the wishes and encouragement of his mother.

“Mom always wanted me to complete my degree as I lacked so little to do it. Yet, I was in Houston and UTA, of course, in Arlington,” Merrill said. “However, someone from the College of Business came down to Houston to tell me that I could complete my degree online. I looked at what I needed and decided to do it while my mom could still appreciate that I did it, and she really did.”

In 2011, John not only completed his final class and earned his Bachelor of Science in University Studies, but he was also invited to deliver the College of Business commencement address.

“I have done quite a bit of public speaking over the years and was interviewed on TV well over 100 times,” he said. “But giving that speech to those graduating students will be one of the most remembered events of my life.”

After he finished his address and returned to his seat, the dean surprised John by calling him back to the podium to present one final diploma, his own.

“It was a total surprise, even though I knew I had completed the course requirements,” Merrill said. “I lost it. My mother lost it. It was an incredible experience.”

John Merrill

John has spent the past 15 years giving back to the university that helped shape his path. 

“Many of those like me that have had a fair amount of success search for ways to give back to the community and institutions that paved the way for that success,” he said. “UTA has certainly given me that opportunity.” 

Working with the College of Business, John helped create three endowments in areas he’s passionate about: financial literacy, consultative sales and scholarships for graduate students. “This has been an extremely rewarding experience,” Merrill said. “It is one of those areas where the more you give, the more you get in personal growth and fulfillment.”

When asked what advice he would give current students at UTA, John reflected on his commencement speech and said he would “hardly change a word if I gave it today.” He pointed back to the seven “seeds of wisdom” he shared in his address.

“Success is a journey—enjoy the ride. Find your passion. Pay your dues, and take your shots. Hold to your principles. Be a builder. Keep learning. Maintain balance,” Merrill said. “And I hope your journey of success never ends, that you are always reaching for the next rung on your success ladder—in every sphere of your life.”

Now, as a UTA College of Business Hall of Fame honoree, John Merrill’s story comes full circle. 

Not only as a successful entrepreneur and dedicated alumnus, but as a mentor, donor and inspiration to generations of Mavericks. His legacy is etched into the college through the endowments he helped establish, the wisdom he shared from the commencement stage and the example he continues to set as a leader who never stopped giving back.