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 Family Behind MTE
Four Generations of Ownership.
One Commitment.
Generation 1
Jack Tarpley
Founded 1935
Founder of Maryville Typewriter Exchange. Brought typewriter service expertise from his military career to East Third Street, Maryville.
Generation 2
Betty & Jay Baker
Joined 1946
Jack’s daughter and her husband expanded MTE into office supply sales and opened the business to neighboring communities throughout NW Missouri.
Generation 3
Roger Baker
Joined 1980
Betty and Jay’s son modernized MTE for the computer era, adding IT services and rebranding as MTE Office Center. Still serves as President today.
Generation 4
Elizabeth Christiansen
Joined 2021
Roger’s daughter joined as Vice President in 2021, carrying the family legacy forward with a focus on growth and community service.
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
- Kayla Rucker — 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 sponsor local sports teams, donate to area schools and churches, support small businesses throughout Northwest Missouri, and show up every time our community needs us.
When you choose MTE, you’re not sending your money to a national chain. You’re keeping it in Maryville — and in the hands of a family that has called this community home for nine decades.
“We’re kinda in awe that you’re here after 90 years and all the changes.”
— Becky Albrecht, Executive Director
Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce