Leading With Experience
About Arox
Arox Land Development stands at the intersection of proven expertise and flawless execution. Our family-owned company brings together advanced engineering capabilities and real-world experience to deliver exceptional results across Southwest Florida. Led by industry experts and powered by skilled teams, we’ve built our legacy by transforming challenging projects into lasting achievements. This is where expertise meets execution – this is Arox Land Development.
Excellent Workmanship,
Done On Time
Our leadership team combines advanced engineering knowledge with hands-on site development experience. Guided by our PhD-qualified president and licensed contractors, our field crews bring unmatched expertise to every project.
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Technical Excellence:
Graduate civil engineers in-house ensure precision planning and execution -
Field Leadership:
Experienced superintendents who understand ground-level challenges -
Licensed Expertise:
Multiple specialty licenses including Underground Utility and Fire Line -
Quality Control:
In-house testing and certification capabilities -
Local Knowledge:
Deep relationships with county officials and regulatory bodies -
Proven Track Record:
Two generations of successful project delivery
Arox Leadership Team
Grace Merrill
President and Chief Operating Officer
As President and Chief Operating Officer of Arox Land Development, Grace Merrill brings exceptional leadership and strategic vision to the company’s operations. Her unique combination of scientific expertise and business acumen has been instrumental in establishing Arox as a leader in Southwest Florida’s site development industry.
Grace holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Wroclaw, Poland, demonstrating the analytical thinking and attention to detail that characterizes Arox’s approach to every project. As a licensed Underground Utility Contractor (CUC1224873), she maintains direct oversight of the company’s technical operations while managing its financial and administrative functions.
Before leading Arox Land Development, Grace served as Chief Financial Officer for several successful family-owned enterprises, building a strong foundation in business management and organizational leadership. This experience, combined with her technical background, enables her to guide Arox’s strategic direction while ensuring operational excellence across all projects.
Grace holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Wroclaw, Poland, demonstrating the analytical thinking and attention to detail that characterizes Arox’s approach to every project. As a licensed Underground Utility Contractor (CUC1224873), she maintains direct oversight of the company’s technical operations while managing its financial and administrative functions.
Before leading Arox Land Development, Grace served as Chief Financial Officer for several successful family-owned enterprises, building a strong foundation in business management and organizational leadership. This experience, combined with her technical background, enables her to guide Arox’s strategic direction while ensuring operational excellence across all projects.
Bobby Merrill
Executive Vice President
As Executive Vice President of Arox Land Development, Bobby Merrill brings a unique blend of engineering excellence, financial expertise, and hands-on construction experience to oversee the company’s estimating and field operations. His diverse background ensures that every project benefits from both technical precision and practical business insight.
Bobby graduated with highest honors from the University of Tennessee with a Civil Engineering degree, followed by an MBA from Northwestern University. His professional journey includes experience as a licensed CPA and successful tenure with Merrill Brothers Homes, providing him with comprehensive understanding of both the financial and operational aspects of construction management.
Since joining Arox in 2006, Bobby has strengthened the company’s position as a leader in site development through his multifaceted expertise. His credentials include a Building Contractor License (CBC 051260) and a Class V Fire Protection License, reflecting the technical depth he brings to every project.
Bobby graduated with highest honors from the University of Tennessee with a Civil Engineering degree, followed by an MBA from Northwestern University. His professional journey includes experience as a licensed CPA and successful tenure with Merrill Brothers Homes, providing him with comprehensive understanding of both the financial and operational aspects of construction management.
Since joining Arox in 2006, Bobby has strengthened the company’s position as a leader in site development through his multifaceted expertise. His credentials include a Building Contractor License (CBC 051260) and a Class V Fire Protection License, reflecting the technical depth he brings to every project.
A Legacy of Leadership
Growing Excellence Through Generations
At Arox Land Development, our family legacy runs deeper than just ownership – it represents a complete understanding of site development from the ground up. Under the leadership of his grandparents Bobby and Grace Merrill, Arox has built a reputation for excellence that’s now advancing into its next generation.
Meet Nicholas Radzanowski
Vice President & Chief Estimator
Nick’s journey with Arox Land Development embodies our commitment to comprehensive expertise. Raised in the family business, his path from laborer to leadership provides our clients with a unique advantage: a Vice President who understands every aspect of site development from hands-on experience.
Career Progression:
- Started as a laborer in the field
- Advanced through roles as pipe layer and equipment operator
- Mastered site logistics as a surveyor
- Led crews as project foreman
- Developed pricing expertise as estimator
- Now serves as Vice President & Chief Estimator
With three years of Construction Management studies at Georgia Southern University and continuing education at USF, Nick combines academic knowledge with seven years of practical experience across every level of operations.
Bill Eastwood
Vice President and General Manager
Bill Eastwood brings over four decades of invaluable construction industry experience to his role as Vice President and General Manager at Arox Land Development. A Sarasota native and University of Florida graduate, Bill’s deep understanding of local markets and complex infrastructure projects has been instrumental to Arox’s success since joining the team in 2009.
Throughout his career since 1976, Bill has played key roles in some of Florida’s most significant infrastructure projects. His portfolio includes critical transportation initiatives such as the I-4 widening from I-75 to County Line Road, Polk County Parkway, Veterans Expressway, and both the North and South approaches to the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This experience with large-scale, complex projects brings exceptional problem-solving capabilities to Arox’s operations.
As Vice President and General Manager, Bill oversees the estimating process and provides crucial oversight for project execution, drawing on his extensive experience to anticipate and resolve challenges before they impact project timelines. His combination of local knowledge and major project experience ensures that every Arox project benefits from decades of practical insights and proven solutions.
Throughout his career since 1976, Bill has played key roles in some of Florida’s most significant infrastructure projects. His portfolio includes critical transportation initiatives such as the I-4 widening from I-75 to County Line Road, Polk County Parkway, Veterans Expressway, and both the North and South approaches to the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge. This experience with large-scale, complex projects brings exceptional problem-solving capabilities to Arox’s operations.
As Vice President and General Manager, Bill oversees the estimating process and provides crucial oversight for project execution, drawing on his extensive experience to anticipate and resolve challenges before they impact project timelines. His combination of local knowledge and major project experience ensures that every Arox project benefits from decades of practical insights and proven solutions.
Rob Slifer
Vice President of Construction
As Vice President of Construction at Arox Land Development, Rob Slifer brings the discipline and precision of his Marine Corps service to every project he oversees. His lifetime dedication to construction, combined with his military background, has shaped Arox’s reputation for exceptional project execution and reliable scheduling.
Rob’s comprehensive understanding of construction operations and his hands-on leadership style ensure that Arox’s field teams maintain the highest standards of efficiency and quality. As the coordinator for all project schedules, he leverages his extensive experience to optimize resource allocation and maintain critical project timelines across multiple job sites.
His military training and lifelong construction experience have instilled a deep appreciation for the importance of meeting deadlines and delivering results. Under Rob’s leadership, Arox’s field operations exemplify the company’s commitment to precision, reliability, and excellence in site development.
Rob’s comprehensive understanding of construction operations and his hands-on leadership style ensure that Arox’s field teams maintain the highest standards of efficiency and quality. As the coordinator for all project schedules, he leverages his extensive experience to optimize resource allocation and maintain critical project timelines across multiple job sites.
His military training and lifelong construction experience have instilled a deep appreciation for the importance of meeting deadlines and delivering results. Under Rob’s leadership, Arox’s field operations exemplify the company’s commitment to precision, reliability, and excellence in site development.