The company was Merrimack Canoes of the Merrimack Valley in New Hampshire. The company was started by LH Beach. The company was moved to Crossville Tennessee and is now run by Randy Pew. Here is the history of the company
http://www.merrimackcanoes.com/history.htm
Randy's brother Vernon seperated from Merrimack and moved to California and started Navarro. The two manufacturers build by essentially the same methods with a nice composite construction with cherry ribs inset into the interiors.
The Bob Foote is inded the same Bob Foote. Bob designed the Loon 16 and 17. In addition, he and is life partner Karen Knight designed the Whisper 13 which is not shown but is a common sight on the Freestyle rounds.
PK