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Merritt knew she’d found the perfect fit when she joined the Smith-Bell team in April 2025. A licensed CPA with 7 years of public accounting experience, Merritt jumped at the chance to join Smith-Bell and has not looked back. Her accounting experience has paired perfectly with her people skills and an innate curiosity to make her a valued member of the team – and she says that it only took a few weeks for her to see Smith-Bell as a place she could spend her entire career.

As a Gainesville native, Merritt loves working and living in her hometown. She earned both her Accounting and Management degrees from the University of North Georgia.

When not at work, you can find her spending time with her young nephews, reading, or doing something crafty.

It’s often said that being treated like family is the ultimate sign of respect. Leslie learned firsthand from her father, John Nivens, about the importance of taking care of people. She has grown up in the Smith-Bell family, literally and figuratively, with a deep passion for the company’s tradition.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Georgia, she began her career in the petroleum industry. For six years she served as the Brand Coordinator for Smith-Bell before going to work at a local non-profit. In 2015, Leslie returned to Smith-Bell working alongside her father to gain insight and knowledge for one day helping to lead the family business. Leslie appreciates time spent with family and friends and enjoys volunteering in the community with several non-profit organizations and events.