A graduate of the Gdańsk University of Technology at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and of the University of Warsaw at the Faculty of Management. He has also graduated from the faculty of Corporate Management in Transport at the Radom University of Technology. Mr. Merchel began his professional career in the railway area in the 70's, gaining experience in different positions. In years 1998-2016, he was the director of the District Railway Lines Unit in Olsztyn. Since March 2016, he has been the President of the Management Board of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. He is responsible for the implementation of the largest railroad modernization programme in history, covering almost 240 projects with a total value almost of PLN 77 billion.