Our Story
90 Years.
Four Generations.
Still Your Neighbor.
MTE Office Center has been a cornerstone of the Maryville, Missouri business community since 1935. What started as a typewriter repair shop is now a full-service office products, furniture, and IT company — still family-owned, still on East Third Street.
Our History
From Typewriters to Technology —
A 90-Year Story.
Jack Tarpley founded Maryville Typewriter Exchange in 1935, bringing skills he had developed during military service. In 1946, his daughter Betty and her husband Jay Baker joined the business, expanding into office supply sales and reaching neighboring communities. Roger Baker joined in 1980, adding computer sales and IT services and rebranding the company as MTE Office Center. In 2021, Roger’s daughter Elizabeth Christiansen joined as Vice President — the fourth generation of the Tarpley-Baker-Christiansen family to lead MTE.
1935
Jack Tarpley founds Maryville Typewriter Exchange on E. Third Street
1946
Betty & Jay Baker join; company expands into office supplies and neighboring communities
1980
Roger Baker modernizes operations; adds IT services; rebrands as MTE Office Center
2021
Elizabeth Christiansen joins as VP; fourth generation takes the helm
The People of MTE
Our Team Is the Heart
of Everything We Do.
From account managers with decades of tenure to our in-house IT specialists and customer service team, the people of MTE are what set us apart. When you call MTE, you’re talking to someone who knows your business, knows your name, and is invested in your success.
Leadership
- Roger Baker — President
- Elizabeth Christiansen — Vice President
Sales & Accounting
- Pam Dougan — Sales and Accounting (35+ years)
- Flag Flaherty — Sales Account Manager
IT Department
- Andy Abbott — Senior IT Specialist (35+ years)
- Jackson Ozanne — IT Specialist
Cameron Location
- Lisa Edwards — Store Manager, Cameron
Customer Service
- Steve Miller — Customer Service Specialist
- Rick Euler — Customer Service Specialist
- Jeff Mather — Customer Service Specialist
- Gracie Jorgensen — Customer Service Specialist
Community Commitment
We Don’t Just Serve Maryville.
We’re Part of It.
MTE has been woven into the fabric of the Maryville community for 90 years. We are proud to invest in the communities we serve by supporting local sports teams, schools, churches, and small businesses. As a family-owned business, being there for our neighbors is part of who we are.
“I also love supporting a local, family-owned business that is active in our community and gives back to the people who support them. They aren’t just any business in our community—they are truly a valued, active part of our community, and that matters to me.”
— Google Review