To foster an appreciation for and enhance the management of ponds and lakes, managed by private companies, with particular concern for the aesthetic and recreational uses and stewardship of such waters. Using tools such as innovation, education, representation, accreditation, and standardization of best management practices. Advocate wise stewardship of privately owned water, promote and recruit fishing opportunities in private water environments, and protect our environment. Learn more about SLMP – download our Code of Ethics and Brochure.
Core Values
Promote professional business practices and value
Provide conduit for innovation and networking
Create educational opportunities
Speak for the industry in regulatory processes
Board of Directors
Maryann Krisovitch is SLMP's Executive Director. She came on board in February of 2020. Maryann is now in her 21st year teaching Floridians about our water resources. She works with local governments to help them meet their storm water discharge elimination requirements and is a certified erosion and sedimentation control inspector. Maryann travels around the state speaking to students and adults about our valuable water resources. She trains residents to monitor water quality in their lakes and works with volunteers to restore and maintain conservation lands throughout Lake County, Florida. Born in the Pocono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania, Maryann is a Penn State graduate. She is also an elected Supervisor on the Lake Soil and Water Conservation District Board.
As a third-generation dirt mover, Drew Hay has literally been in the excavating industry his entire life. With his father Phil Hay starting the company while Drew was a young boy, he has grown up in the industry. Surrounded by his father, uncle and many other mentors, He grew up learning and working with some of the most respected individuals in the field. Learning all aspects of excavation from residential, agriculture, industrial and commercial, Drew quickly grew a passion for water. Drew’s father Phil became one of the most respected pond contractors in Western Pa for his ability to hold and retain water. With tricks and techniques learned from his Dad and lessons learned with 29+ years of professional experience, Drew has grown Phil Hay & Sons Inc. into one of the most highly respected pond/lake construction companies in the country.
Designing, constructing and completing his first pond on his own when he was 16, Drew has since constructed, renovated and repaired hundreds of ponds, lakes and dams across the country. Always with a level of expertise and precision on understanding the earth, engineering and proper techniques that have withstood the test of time. Everything from a small backyard, ornamental pond to multiple acre lakes, Drew and his professional staff complete everything from concept through fruition.
Recently, Drew has implemented a new addition to Phil Hay & Sons Inc. for pond and lake management. While still completing pond/lake projects that Phil Hay & Sons Inc. is historically known for, the company has now grown into everything ponds and lakes. Along with aeration equipment, fountains, stocking and feeding, the company now provides solutions for all aspects of the pond industry.
Along with pond and lake construction, Drew has made the company highly regarded with the PA Fish & Boat Commission and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for stream enhancements across the commonwealth. For the last 17 years Phil Hay & Sons Inc. has completed numerous stream and fish structure enhancements in high quality trout streams. Creating devices that prevent erosion to stream banks and channels, while also gaining excellent fish structures to provide great fishing experiences.
As you can tell, Drew most definitely has a passion for water! He has been invited and spoke at several seminars on proper techniques for constructing ponds and renovations across the country. With a vast knowledge of historical events, common mistakes made by beginning pond builders, he has helped and guided numerous individuals to properly construct or repair ponds and lakes. His philosophy is to help others achieve their dreams of their own private or public oasis.
Cole Hulon is the Western Office Manager for Foster Lake & Pond Management in Charlotte, NC. He graduated with his B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and a Minor in Fisheries Science from The University of Florida in 2008. Cole went on to work for SePRO as a research technician at the research facility in Whitakers, NC. In 2012 He went to work for PLM Lake and Land Management where he went on to managed the aquatics division of the Littleton office on Lake Gaston. In 2018 Cole went to work with Foster Lake & Pond Management. His passion for proper pond and lake management has helped him to thrive in the aquatics business. He is excited to be a part of a society that provides great content and comradery from like minded individuals.
John started Outdoor Water Solutions 17 years ago with a focus on providing quality products to the pond and lake industry. The company has grown their product line to include solar, electric and wind powered aeration and fountains. The company recently acquired Air-O-Lator which further expands their product line by adding more fountain and surface aerator options.
Prior to starting Outdoor Water Solutions, John spent 20 years in the Agricultural industry working for Monsanto. His professional background includes jobs in general management, brand and sales management, and in mergers & acquisitions.
John is a member of Windsor Crossing Church and Vistage (a leadership development organization for CEO’s). He is passionate about his family, which now includes two grandsons and loves to hunt, fish, run and hack at playing golf. John is also active in managing the family farm where they raise corn, soybeans and operate a hog finishing operation.
John holds a B.S. degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. He is the Vendor Member representative on the SLMP Board
Matt Rayl has over 20 years of experience in the lake and pond management industry. He has extensive experience in product development, personally and together with manufacturers bringing hundreds of products to market. Matt was Lake Manager for one of the largest lake and pond companies in America, where he was responsible for managing a large team of experts. He has been a member or on the board of the South Carolina, Florida, Northeast, Western, Texas, Midwest and National Aquatic Plant Management Society, as well as the Indiana, Illinois, Florida and National Lake Management Society. Matt is or has been a part of the Indiana, Ohio, and World Aquaculture Society. Matt now lives in Indiana, where he consults for Lake and Pond owners, Industry manufacturers, in the world of aquaculture, lake, and fisheries management.
Mark Litwiler received a degree from Saint Leo University in Business Management graduating Cum Laude. In 1989 he started his career in pond/lake management with The Lake Doctors on the West Coast of Florida. After 12 years in the field and in management, went to work with the SePRO Corporation as their West Florida Aquatic Specialist. In 2002, he was transferred to the Midwest, as the rep for the 13 states. In 2005, Mark left SePRO to start his own company, Ponds Rx. Ponds Rx is a full-service management company located in Fishers, In. Mark has served two terms on the Board of Directors for the Midwest APMS. He is currently serving as Treasurer of the Society and thinks it is a great group promoting pond/lake management groups from all over the country.
Mitchell Morton is the Vice-President and Head of Fisheries for Foster Lake & Pond Management in Garner, NC. Mitchell graduated from N.C. State University in 1996 with a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife. He began his career with Foster Lake & Pond Management in 1997 and has never looked back. In addition to managing a fast-growing company, Mitchell supervises of all trophy and balanced fisheries projects, lake design, fountain and aeration installations, and regulated SCM (Stormwater Control Measure) maintenance. He is an NC Stormwater SCM Certified Inspector, Certified SCM Construction Inspection Professional, and a Licensed Landscape Contractor. Mitchell has also been featured in NC Wildlife magazine for his skills with small pond fisheries management and is proud to serve as a Director for the Society of Lake Management Professionals. Foster Lake & Pond Management is also active in other organizations such as Stormwater Association of North Carolina, North Carolina Lake Management Society, and South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Society. In his spare time, Mitchell enjoys coaching youth sports with his two wonderful sons, spending time with his wife, and writing/performing music with his bands.
Mason Grimes is the owner and Head Biologist at Southern Pond Professionals - a full service pond and lake management company. Mason has a Bachelor’s of Science in Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture with an emphasis in pond management from Auburn University. He has been in the fisheries industry for 11 years. Mason opened Southern Pond Professionals in 2016 in Snead, Alabama.
Mason is married to his wife Paige and they have a 3 year old son MJ who they adopted in 2021. Mason and Paige are also foster parents in their county, and have shared their home with over 15 children in the last four years. Mason serves on the media team at their church, Redeemed Ministries. He and his wife also have a ministry called The Hope Seat where they interview people with stories that bring Hope to the world. When he is not working, Mason enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing, watching Auburn athletics, and spending time at the lake with his family.
Mason joined the SLMP Board in January 2022.
Ethan Edge is the owner of Edge’s Pond Management, an aquatic weed control company that also offers pond liming and water quality testing. It is a sister company to Edge’s Aquatic Services (founded by his dad), which is a fish farm and pond/fisheries management company located in Soperton, GA. Ethan has been involved in all things pond and fish related his entire life, and spent most of his free time growing up helping out on his family’s fish farm. Ethan holds a Biology degree from East Georgia College, and after graduating, took over and bought the weed control portion of his Dad’s business. He has worked hard over the years to turn it into the valued company it is today. Ethan works on ponds and lakes all over the state of Georgia, as well as some in South Carolina and Florida, and is widely respected in the pond management industry. Along with serving as a board member for SLMP, he is also a board member for his county Farm Bureau, and serves as a member of the Georgia Aquaculture Association. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and little girl, as well as hunting and fishing.
Robinson holds degrees in water resources with a fisheries emphasis and in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He is a board of director’s member of the National Aquaculture Association, US Aquaculture Suppliers Association, the Society of Lake Management Professionals, and Mason Lake Improvement district. Other membership includes:
- US Trout Farmers
- US Tilapia Farmers
- Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society
- Optimists International
- National Aquatic Plant Management Society
- Board of Directors Badger State Winter Olympics
- Catfish Farmers of America
- Aquaculture Engineering Society
- Wisconsin Aquaculture Association
- Wisconsin Lakes Association
- North American Lake Management Society
- American Society of Landscape Architects
- Trout Unlimited
- B.A.S.S.
- National Rural Water Association
- Wisconsin Rural Water Association
- International Irrigation Association
- American Fisheries Society – Fish Culture Section
- American Farm Bureau
- American Water Works Association
Past positions included work for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, BLM- Colorado, State of WI., Aquatic Eco-Systems – FL., Purina-Rangen Fish feeds, Currently employed by Kasco Marine for the past 18+ years.
Guest writer for Fish Farming News for every issue for the past 20+ years.
Author of over 200 different publications and articles in scientific magazines and journals.
Guest lecturer for over 150 trade/science meetings on the topic of ponds/water quality/aeration.
Married for 30+ years, with one child (teaching in Miami).
Expertise: Pond/lake water quality, Aeration, Aquaculture in North America, The Green Bay Packers.
Bob Robinson Cell: 715 574 4784, office 715 241 8227
e-mail: bob.r@kascomarine.com
Director of Sales and Marketing/Fisheries Biologist
Kasco Marine – www.kascomarine.com
Trent Lewis earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics in 2000 from Texas Tech University. After a few years of experience in other industries, Mr. Lewis began PondMedics in 2004 with his wife, Emily Lewis – civil engineer and lead hydrologist for PondMedics. Mr. Lewis is a Senior Consultant with PondMedics, specializing in areas such as hydrographic surveys, dam/spillway rehabilitations, stream and stormwater conveyance management, hybrid shoring solutions, multi-scale dredging and wetland/riparian surveys using fixed wing and multirotor drones equipped with a payload of infrared sensors.
Mr. Lewis has been the President of the Upper Trinity Conservation Trust the last seven years. Additionally, Mr. Lewis serves as the Aquatic Plant Management Society, Texas Chapter President. Mr. Lewis also serves on the board of directors of the Society of Lake Management Professionals. Mr. Lewis is active and often presenting to groups such as Texas Floodplain Managers Association, Texas Rural Water Association, Texas Parks and Recreation Society and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Trent resides in Grayson County, Texas with his wife, Emily, and their six kids. When Trent is not busy at PondMedics, he’s enjoying spending time with his family doing things like hunting, fishing, sporting clays, riding motorcycles and traveling.
Greg was a founding member and the inaugural President of the Society of Lake Management Professionals in 2015. He again resumed the presidency for 2018, signaling his enduring commitment to the organization's growth and its far-reaching industry impacts. His return to the board reflects an excitement about the Society's contributions to the flourishing landscape of private lake management.
A seasoned fisherman from a young age, Greg initiated his lake management career in 1991 during his undergraduate studies in biology. Joining a lake management company, his thirst for knowledge propelled him to pursue a master’s degree in Fisheries from the University of Georgia in 1998. Greg founded Aquatic Environmental Services, Inc (AES) in 1996, where his entrepreneurial spirit became a driving force in advancing the industry.
Currently overseeing client and vendor relations while contributing to the company's growth, Greg has shifted away from the day-to-day operations. He still gets to spend a few days each year on the electrofishing boat, maintaining a hands-on approach to his passion. His primary focus lies in consulting projects nationwide, guiding clients to make informed decisions and fulfill their fishery aspirations, emphasizing the importance of starting right for a child's first fish or a bass exceeding 8 lbs. within three years.
With a rich portfolio of pond management articles, fishery seminars, and extensive work on ponds and lakes across 22 states and Mexico in his 30-year career, Greg is recognized as a leading expert in private fishery management. His dedication to innovation is evident in his constant pursuit of new methods for cultivating larger fish.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Greg cherishes his spare time with his two boys, savoring God’s creation. His multifaceted contributions and unwavering passion underscore his lasting impact on the private fishery management field.
Testimonials
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
Do more than is required. What is the distance between someone who achieves their goals consistently and those who spend their lives and careers merely following? The extra mile.
