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.

Cory grew up fishing, boating and playing in the waters of the Sandusky river watershed in Wyandot county, Ohio. After graduating from Mohawk High School in Sycamore, Cory attended Columbus State Community College then Ohio State University. He earned an associate’s degree in applied science and then a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from the respective schools. After school, Cory managed lakes and ponds for AQUA DOC Lake and Pond Management starting as an Aquatic technician, then biologist, and eventually Columbus branch manager. Now, Cory is a territory manager for Kasco Marine, a company that manufactures lake and pond aeration systems. Cory is a long time volunteer of Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed and is currently a director for the Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society.

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.

Andy Amornyard is an Environmental Specialist and Central Ohio HABs Coordinator for Ohio EPA in the Division of Drinking Water. One of his most important duties in his position is to ensure that public water systems treat and serve clean water, free of harmful algal toxins and other bacteria. He participates in several volunteer events every year to talk to the public about clean water. Before working for the Ohio EPA, Andy spent 4 years working at Aqua Doc as an Aquatic Biologist where his goals were to help educate people on how to promote healthier aquatic ecosystems. His core belief is, with enough education and access to resources, we can raise the awareness of harmful algal blooms and the importance of our impact on them. Andy is a graduate of The Ohio Sate University, where he received his B.S. in Biology with a specialization in Health Professions. Later in life, he plans to return to school for his Ph.D. in Toxicology and specialize in Harmful Algal Blooms. In his down time, Andy enjoys playing soccer, fishing, and skiing.

Mark Warman is an Extension Specialist with Ohio Sea Grant, focused on contaminants of emerging concern in the Lake Erie watershed. He brings experience in education, aquatic invasive plant management, and ecological stewardship. Previously, Mark surveyed over 500 waterbodies for invasive plants while working on an ODNR grant at Cleveland Metroparks. He supports OLMS outreach and education, especially raising awareness of lesser-known aquatic plants and contaminants in Ohio’s lakes and waterways.

McKenna Cimperman is an Ohio native that has a passion for native species and educating the public. She completed a BS in Forestry and Wildlife from The Ohio State University. That led her to a Naturalist position with ODNR for 5 years. If you ever need Hocking Hills State Park recommendations, ask her! She eventually landed in the aquatic industry with an applicator company and has since become a Technical Specialist for the Great Lakes East with SePRO. She uses her connections and network to communicate proper management techniques, nutrient mitigation tactics and provide solutions for invasive species control. In her off-time, McKenna enjoys camping, tending to her 100+ house plants, hiking, biking and adventuring with her partner Jake and their two dogs.