Merrill Cook bio

Age: 58

Personal: Wife, Camille; five children, Brian, 33; Alison, 31; Barbara, 29; David, 26; Shelly, 20; three grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor's degree in economics from University of Utah (1969), MBA from Harvard Business School (1971)

Professional Experience: Management consultant for Arthur D. Little Inc. in Cambridge, Mass. (1971-75), Owner/founder Cook Slurry Co. (1975-present, with hiatus during years in the U.S. House of Representatives)

Political Experience: U.S. congressman 1996-2000, founder of Utah's Independent Party, led three citizen ballot petition initiatives: the tax limitation petition in 1988, the sales tax removal from food petition in 1990 and the term limitation petition in 1994.