Dr David Merson is a pioneer of the Australian IT industry. After graduating from UQ with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1964 and a Bachelor of Economics in 1969, he founded Brisbane-based company Mincom in 1979.
Under his leadership Mincom became Australia's largest developer and exporter of software, with an annual turnover of $200 million and 1300 employees in 20 offices worldwide. He retired from the role of CEO in 2000. Since then, Dr Merson has served in executive and board roles for software companies, research institutes and philanthropic initiatives.
He has been recognised for his contributions with a number of awards including the Australian Export Hero Award, the CSIRO iAward and the Centenary Medal. In 1998, UQ awarded Dr Merson with a Doctor of Engineering honoris causa.