Originally from Upstate New York, Carter grew up knowing he wanted to work with freshwater in a way that could help people. This desire led him to study environmental sciences. He earned his BS in Environmental Science with a concentration in Watershed Hydrology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and an MS in Lake Management from the State University of New York College at Oneonta. After receiving his master's, Carter joined AQUA DOC Lake & Pond Management in 2015, where he works as an Aquatic Biologist. Carter believes that lake managers bridge the gap between stakeholders and the scientific community in the freshwater environment. His position at AQUA DOC allows him to bridge that gap and fulfill his desire to help people by working with lake associations, citizen groups, and government agencies to maximize their freshwater resources. Carter enjoys hiking, mountain biking, fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling in his free time.

Marty Hilovsky is an environmental scientist with more than 40 years of broad experience in environmental control, monitoring, and regulatory affairs. Marty has an M.S. in Aquatic Ecology from Kent State University and is the founder of EnviroScience. He currently works on a part-time basis as a Senior Consulting Scientist for the company, specializing in toxicity reduction studies, lake management, regulatory compliance for NPDES permit holders, and senior technical review of deliverables. Marty has more than 25 years of experience developing and executing lake management plans, shoreline management and invasive species control. He has served as an officer and board member of OLMS for more than 20 years.

Julie Wolin is a professor in the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences at Cleveland State University. She has over 30 years’ experience in Great Lakes and aquatic sciences studying the effects of human activities on freshwater ecosystems. She currently serves on the Environmental Council of Advisors for the State of Ohio’s Attorney General Yost and has been the director of Cleveland State’s undergraduate Environmental Science Program since 2011. She teaches courses in aquatic and wetland science, Great Lakes ecology and management, and mentors undergraduate and graduate research projects. She earned her Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan, M.S. and B.A. in Biology with a specialization in Aquatic Sciences from Eastern Michigan University.

Stephanie is a water resource manager specializing in watershed and stormwater management. She works with local and regional governments, watershed groups, and residents to mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff, improve water quality, and enhance natural water systems. Stephanie holds a BS in Conservation Biology, with a minor in Geography, from Kent State University.

Jim is a biologist/ecologist with over 20 years of experience in natural resource management. He has a background in watershed management with assessments of headwater streams, stream and wetlands restoration, fisheries management, and recreational lake management. He has worked with local watershed organizations and volunteer groups to promote education, encourage best management practices, and to advocate for the protection and conservation of watersheds in northeast Ohio. He earned his Master of Science degree from John Carroll University studying ecology and conservation, and his Bachelor of Science from Baldwin-Wallace College. Jim has previously served on the board of the Rocky River Watershed Council, and has been on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Lake Management Society since 2019.

Patty Saunders is a professor in the biology department at Ashland University. She has served as director of AU’s Environmental Science Program since 2010. She teaches courses in biology, ecology, and environmental science. She also runs a research program that focuses on aquatic invertebrates and how ecosystem differences affect their ecology. She mentors undergraduates doing independent research projects  and includes research methods and questions in the curriculum of her classes using readings, datasets, and class field projects. She earned her Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Georgia, M.A. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Indiana University, and B.A. in biology from Oberlin College.

Maia has worked as an environmental planner for over 30 years in the public and private sectors and has worked at the Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning and Development Organization (NEFCO) as a watershed planner since 2003.  Her interest is to encourage sustainable use of the landscape, balancing people’s activities with natural resource protection, enhancement, and minimizing impacts. She was privileged to spend the past seven years working on the Portage Lakes Management studies and plan in collaboration with a diverse technical advisory committee, which allowed her to immerse herself in learning about lake systems and management.  She learned about stewardship and the balance between human activities and the natural environment at her family’s cottage on the fragile shores of Cape Cod.  The 1969 fire on the Cuyahoga River was a call to action. She received her Bachelors in Geology and Masters in Community Planning – Environmental Focus at the University of Rhode Island.