Our Team

Photo by Sean Rayford for Flock and Rally

Merritt McNeely

Chief Executive Officer

Merritt (McHaffie) McNeely joined Flock and Rally in 2018, first as VP of marketing, bringing with her an extensive background in marketing, communications and organizational leadership. In June 2020, she was promoted to executive vice president. In September 2022, she was elevated to the role of CEO.

Since 2005, she has been involved with many high-profile events, campaigns, and organizations and is known widely as a leader in the Midlands community. Merritt worked as the executive director for the Five Points Association from 2005-2013 and during her tenure, accomplished numerous vital projects for the neighborhood, including serving as the youngest and first female chair of the annual St. Pat's in Five Points festival.

From 2013-2018, Merritt was the director of marketing and membership for the South Carolina State Museum, overseeing an annual marketing budget of $450,000. She led the statewide marketing and communications for the grand opening of the new museum in 2014 and became founder and chair of the Total Eclipse Weekend, Columbia, S.C. campaign, which drew hundreds of thousands of travelers to the Midlands. 

Since joining Flock and Rally, she has led the team to garner one Gold ADDY for The COMET’s “Saving Sarah’s Seat” campaign and three Silver ADDY awards for the South Carolina State Fair.

Merritt attended the University of South Carolina and earned her degree in Public Relations from the school of Journalism and Mass Communications. 

She is a recipient of the State Media Company's “20 Under 40,” Columbia Regional Business Report’s “Women of Influence”, The Free Times’ Next Most Powerful 50 and Columbia Business Monthly's “50 Most Influential” and “S.C. Women in Business 2022” honors. In addition to years of board service and multiple leadership roles with the Congaree Vista Guild, Merritt served as president of the board from July 2018 to July 2020. In the past, she served on the boards of the Columbia Design League, the Animal Mission and the Babcock Center Foundation. Merritt currently sits on the Five Points Association’s Board of Directors as an at-large member.