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ABOUT US

Aerial view of Camp Dancing Bear vacation rental boat houses, docks, and water trampoline

Local Team = Insider Knowledge

Why settle for a vacation rental from a national brand when you can connect directly with a local expert who truly knows the Adirondacks? Even better, we don’t tack on hidden service fees like some other companies do. Our experienced rental team takes the time to find the perfect vacation home for each family, tailored to your needs.

Personalized Vacation Rental Advice

Whether you're searching for a classic Adirondack cabin, a pet-friendly property, a waterfront retreat, the ideal ski vacation spot, or a getaway for the whole family, we’ll work with you to personalize your experience and ensure a memorable stay—without any hidden costs.

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Our Local & Experienced Team

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Diane Brenner

RENTAL MANAGER & ASSOCIATE REAL ESTATE BROKER

 | [email protected] | 

Diane grew up in Lake Placid and graduated from Siena College with a B.A in French and International Studies. After working 15 years in the tourism and hospitality industries in New York City and New Jersey, she returned to the Adirondacks in 2002. Diane enjoys traveling, hiking, cross country skiing, and volunteering in community organizations. She resides in Lake Placid with her husband, Ron, and their son, Evan.

When you are interested in booking the perfect vacation getaway, give her a call. She will be pleased to help you with all of your real estate needs.

License# 10301210273

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Jillian Locke

RENTAL MANAGER & REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

 | [email protected] | 

A native of Lake Placid, Jillian is well versed in the uniqueness of our community such as the unparalleled natural beauty and the Olympic Spirit that embodies this region.

Following in her father's footsteps, Kelly Locke, (also a licensed salesperson at Merrill L. Thomas!), Jillian has taken her passion for real estate, Adirondack architecture, and development and turned it into her career by attaining her real estate license directly upon graduating.

Jillian attended St. Lawrence University and graduated in 2015 with a B.A. in government and rhetoric performance. While at SLU, Jillian was the recipient of the Community Service Scholar Award, an award provided to a student who has shown initiative and leadership in their community service work.

Offering her clients a unique and informative perspective, Jillian worked in the Merrill L. Thomas, Inc. rental division for 18 months. Jillian learned a tremendous amount regarding the industry and market for luxury vacation rental properties in the Lake Placid region. Jillian can attest, the Merrill L. Thomas rental department is the best in the business!

Jillian has closely shadowed her father's many residential development projects and was actively involved in his most recent endeavor, Hemlocke Lodge. Check out Kelly's agent bio to view Ledgerock Lodge, one of his properties he sold in 2016!

For fun, Jillian enjoys trail running with her Newfoundland dog, Sadie Bear, going to farmers markets, and spending sunny days out on the lake. In the winter months, you can catch Jillian, a New York Ski Education Foundation (NYSEF) alum, on the slopes... or more accurately, in mid-station lodge with her ski boots off!

Your personal guide to Adirondack real estate, as both a buyer's and seller's agent- Jillian is ready to provide you with her full attention, professional guidance, and unrelenting work ethic to represent you in finding your dream Adirondack property, or by listing your property as you look to the next chapter in your life.

Jillian is proud to be an agent at the #1 ranked real estate company in the Adirondacks in overall production. Jillian respectfully looks forward to your consideration and the opportunity to work for you!

License# 10401282014

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Nichole Dunford

RENTAL MANAGER

 | [email protected] | 

Nichole is a Lake Placid native with over a decade of hospitality management experience. Previously a manager at the Mirror Lake Inn, Nichole was responsible for overseeing their Four Diamond Fine dining restaurant. In addition to spending lots of family time with her two Shepherds, you can find Nichole hiking in the surrounding areas and enjoying her love of gardening, food & wine, travel and playing the piano. Nichole is persistent, detail oriented and an open communicator who is eager and excited to work with you to find the perfect vacation rental!

Nighttime shot of Merrill Thomas's Lake Placid office with lights on inside and a flag waving in front.

Our History

Merrill L. Thomas, Inc. has deep roots in the Adirondacks, with a history spanning more than 80 years. Originally founded in 1943 as Lake Placid Agencies, we began by serving the region’s growing number of seasonal visitors and outdoor enthusiasts. In the decades since, Merrill L. Thomas Adirondack Vacation Rentals has remained committed to helping guests experience the best of Adirondack life—whether for a weekend, a season, or a lifetime.

After relocating to our longtime Main Street office in Lake Placid, Merrill L. Thomas became the first real estate brokerage in the region to establish a full-time vacation rental division. That spirit of innovation continues today, with our dedicated local team managing a wide range of rental homes across Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Mirror Lake, Upper Saranac, and the surrounding High Peaks region.

We’re proud to pair our longstanding community presence with modern tools and technology—including digital booking platforms and AI-enhanced property marketing—to make it easier than ever for guests to find their perfect Adirondack getaway.

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