 He was re-elected in 2004, 2006, and 2008.Merrifield resigned his seat on September 17, 2014 to accept an appointment from Alberta Premier Jim Prentice as the province's envoy to the United States.His past community involvement has included terms as chair and elected board member of the Whitecourt School District Board of Trustees, chair and vice-chair of the Whitecourt/Fox Creek Hospital Board, member of the Aspen Regional Health Authority, member of the Northern Gateway Regional Division No.