Meet The Senior Leadership Team
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Cory Fye
Senior Director
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Marc Bellaud
Director of Technical Services
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Andrew Merritt
Director of Sales
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Jim McLaughlin
Regional Director, South
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AJ Andrews
Regional Director, North
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Will Stevenson
Director of Integration / Mergers & Acquisitions
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Matt Serino
Director of Marketing
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Rebecca Higgerson
Director of Business Operations and Procurement
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Andrea Murray
Customer Experience Manager
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Debbie Clement
Chief Financial Officer
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Kevin Tucker
Founder
Cory Fye
Senior Director
Cory Fye, Senior Director of SOLitude Lake Management, began his career with SOLitude in 2022. Cory is responsible for leading SOLitude, and driving the overall direction and strategy of the business. His vision is to enhance the company’s position as the top provider in the freshwater management industry and to uphold the company’s mission to service premium, accessible lake and pond management solutions.
After serving in the United States Marine Corp, Cory earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. Cory comes to SOLitude from his position as the Vice President of Operations for Aramark Uniform services, where he progressed through many different positions over his 25 years with the company. As a result, Cory has 20+ years of experience working with Fortune 500 organizations in management and executive roles. He holds numerous honors and awards which include 5 Presidential Club Awards, General Manager of the Year, Sales Manager of the Year, Account Executive of the Year, and multiple facility turnarounds.
Originally from Florida, Cory currently resides in Massachusetts with his two daughters Abbey and Payton. He enjoys spending his time with family, being active and enjoying the outdoors, and taking in all that New England has to offer – from its mountains to its beaches to the best professional sports teams around.
Marc Bellaud
Director of Technical Services
As Director of Technical Services, Marc Bellaud is focused on advancing SOLitude’s momentum as an industry leader by upholding our commitment to continuous education, teamwork, a superior customer experience, and premium service offerings and technologies. From leading the charge on drone applications for remote or sensitive environments to enhancing our toolbox of water quality management solutions with Oxygen Saturation Technology, Marc is passionate about bringing new technologies to SOLitude. Throughout his 27-year career, Marc has been actively involved in cultivating the science of aquatics as a good steward and widely-respected thought leader. His passion for protecting water inspires his guidance of the SOLitude team.
Marc graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in biological sciences and a concentration in natural resources. He worked for two non-profit organizations before joining the aquatics industry in 1993. His knowledge and responsibilities as a field biologist quickly expanded, culminating in his promotion to SOLitude’s company leadership team in 2013.
Marc has extensive experience designing and leading integrated aquatic plant management programs throughout the Northeast. He has authored dozens of lake management plans and feasibility studies and is a contributing author and co-editor for the third edition of the BMP Manual produced by the Aquatic Ecosystem Research Foundation (AERF). He regularly shares his knowledge and experience as a presenter and speaker at industry conferences.
Marc is a Past-President and Director of the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society (NEAPMS) and has remained involved with the organization since it was initially founded. Marc also served as a Director of the New York State Aquatic Managers Association (NYSAMA). He is actively involved with several state organizations focused on lake management issues. In 2006, Marc received the SePRO Applicator of the Year award.
Marc was born and raised in New Hampshire. From an early age, he developed a love of the outdoors where he grew up skiing, fishing, playing ice hockey, and spending summers at Squam Lake, which remains one of his favorite places to visit. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, and the family dog. He and his family are very active with sports and over the years Marc has dedicated much of his time to coaching youth hockey and assisting with their local Boy Scout troop.
Andrew Merritt
Director of Sales
Andrew Merritt is the Director of Sales for SOLitude. He is responsible for driving growth in SOLitude’s footprint, focusing on organic growth and increased market share. Andrew brings over 20 years of experience as a sales professional and leading sales teams while working for industry leaders like Paychex and Aramark. During this time, he achieved multiple sales awards. In his most recent role, with Aramark Refreshments, he helped lead the Western US & Canada key account sales team to record growth and produced multiple Sales Stars winners.
Originally from metro Detroit, Andrew earned a business degree from Michigan State University. Growing up he spent his summers on Wamplers Lake in Southeast Michigan, where he enjoyed fishing, boating and water skiing. Andrew currently resides in Phoenix with his partner Stephanie and his 5 daughters. Most of his free time is spent attending their various sporting events or taking them on adventures around the state. He still makes a trip each summer back to the lake to enjoy all the wonders that it has to offer.
Jim McLaughlin
Regional Director, South
Jim is the Regional Director for the South where he oversees operations to ensure each office is running efficiently and our client’s goals are being met.
Before joining SOLitude, Jim had an impressive 35-year career with Aramark Uniform Services, where his commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication has left an indelible mark. He embarked on this journey as a General Manager and steadily climbed the corporate ladder, achieving notable milestones along the way. From President’s Club recognition to being honored as Group Vice President and Regional Vice President of the Year, Jim’s journey is a testament to his exceptional leadership and contributions to the company.
Jim’s life is enriched by his loving family – his wife, three daughters, son-in-law, and two French Bulldogs. Jim has many passions and hobbies, including being an avid marathon runner, maintaining and detailing cars, and watching sports with his family.
AJ Andrews
Regional Director, North
AJ Andrews is the Regional Director for the North Regions. As a Regional Director, he oversees operations to ensure each office is running effectively and our client’s goals are being met. AJ spent the last 10 years of his career with Aramark Uniform Services as the General Manager for the New England division. AJ is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University and has a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a minor in business management.
Originally from Connecticut, AJ now resides in Southern New Hampshire with his four boys where they enjoy sports and numerous outdoor activities. Their summers are spent on Milton Pond in Maine where they enjoy fishing and boating.
Will Stevenson
Director of Integration / Mergers & Acquisitions
Will Stevenson joined SOLitude Lake Management as the Director of Integration / Mergers & Acquisitions. Previously, Will was the owner and President of Lycott Environmental based in Massachusetts. Under his tenure, Lycott expanded its services and significantly grew its operations.
Will received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Union College in Schenectady, NY. He went on to earn his Master of Environmental Management degree from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies in New Haven, CT, as well as his Master of Business Administration degree from Babson College in Babson Park, MA. Prior to owning Lycott, Will held multiple senior management positions in marketing, operations and sales for companies focusing in the software and real estate markets.
Will currently serves as the Treasurer of the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society. He is also Vice President of Timber Owners of New England and on the board of directors of Wildlife Conservation Trust, in New Hampshire. These organizations manage several thousand acres of forest and recreation lands in New Hampshire, where he and his family spend time hiking, fishing and biking. When not focused on environmental activities, he can be found on the local ambulance where he is an EMT.
Matt Serino
Director of Marketing
With over a decade of professional marketing experience, Matt leads SOLitude’s lead generation strategy and team of marketing professionals. Through his creative thinking and passion for innovation in digital marketing, he is focused on implementing new initiatives that enhance the SOLitude brand and help grow the business.
Matt graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA in 2006, and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in art. After college, he held an internship in the creative department of a prominent advertising agency in Virginia Beach. Matt then spent six years as Marketing Manager for the Hermitage Museum & Gardens, a non-profit arts organization in Norfolk, VA. Before joining SOLitude in 2016, he was a member of the marketing department at Sentara Healthcare and supported the growth and branding of medical group practices throughout Virginia and Northeast North Carolina.
Matt is a native of Virginia Beach and lives at the Oceanfront with his wife and two children. He loves spending time in and around the ocean with his family, whether that’s riding bikes down the boardwalk, playing on the beach, swimming or surfing. Matt also enjoys snowboarding, hiking and camping. He’s a huge fan of both baseball and live music, and travels the country to see his favorite teams and bands play.
Rebecca Higgerson
Director of Business Operations and Procurement
Rebecca Higgerson joined the SOLitude Lake Management team as the company’s Service and Inventory Manager and was quickly promoted to Director of Operations. In this role, she is responsible for managing and overseeing our field service operations, as well as our vendor relations, purchasing, and procurement activities.
Becky brings with her 25 years of finance, purchasing and leadership experience. Becky is a graduate of Old Dominion University and holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Becky’s early career consisted of finance-related positions before becoming the Controller for a game company in Norfolk for ten years where she managed the finances and operations for the company. For the eight years, prior to coming to SOLitude, she was the Director of Purchasing for a large national company headquartered in Virginia Beach that provides tactical equipment, services, procurement, and support solutions to the local, state and federal government. While there, Becky built and managed a purchasing team of 18 people and managed $1.3 billion in purchases a year. She was responsible for vendor contract negotiations, and implemented a Supplier On Time Delivery program for several hundred preferred suppliers that made a huge impact on improving the overall operations of the company.
Becky is a native of southeastern Virginia. She and her husband live in Chesapeake with their Norfolk terrier, Rugby. When she is not spending time with one of her 14 nieces and nephews, Becky enjoys being outdoors running, walking, biking, stand up paddle boarding, and boating.
Andrea Murray
Customer Experience Manager
Andrea Murray, Customer Experience Manager, began her career with SOLitude in 2022. She joins the team with almost 10 years of leadership experience in various, customer-focused roles. Andrea is passionate about connecting to customers and strengthening the customer experience through relationships.
Andrea earned her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Medaille College, in Buffalo, NY. She began her professional career, in a post-collegiate program with Aramark Uniform Services, holding multiple positions during her tenure with the organization, including Route Operations Manager, and District Manager in both the Greater Boston Area, and Baltimore markets. Following, Andrea worked for Public Storage as a District Manager throughout the country with customer-oriented teams in Northern Virginia, Chicago, and Houston markets.
Andrea is originally from Western New York, and now resides in Texas with her husband, Keith, two young sons, Jack and Connor, and their chocolate lab, Clark. The Murray family enjoys spending their time together at the beach, sporting events (Go Bills!), and traveling.
Debbie Clement
Chief Financial Officer
Debbie Clement, CPA, is SOLitude’s chief financial officer with more than 25 years of experience as a financial executive. As CFO, Debbie has oversight of the company’s accounting and finance operations and coordinates the preparation of financial statements, reports, analyses and budgets. She also assists with the integration of companies that have been acquired.
Debbie is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Arkansas State University, holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Accounting. In addition to her extensive finance and accounting experience, Debbie brings experience in managing various HR functions, including payroll, employee benefits, and retirement plans.
When she is not working, Debbie enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters and sweet dog, Mako Jo. For years, Debbie was the ultimate softball mom, spending her summers and falls traveling with both daughter’s teams. Now that they are both in college, she will have time to pursue other hobbies.
Debbie believes in giving back to the community that has so enriched her life, and particularly enjoys organizing charitable/giving events for local organizations/charities such as the Arkansas Foodbank and Our House Shelter.
Kevin Tucker
Founder
Kevin Tucker started SOLitude Lake Management in 1998 to focus on the growing need for adequate management of lakes and stormwater retention ponds and the preservation of our natural resources. He is an active member of many leading trade and professional organizations and remains committed to improving the technology, products and services used to deliver value-added and ecologically balanced solutions to the communities and water resources we serve. Kevin and the SOLitude Lake Management staff work with various leading aquatic product manufacturers to perform case studies and field research for many of the new products being introduced to the market. Kevin has been a speaker at many trade and professional shows and conferences, and sits on the Board of multiple trade and professional associations. He is a regularly published author and has been featured in numerous newspapers, businesses and trade publications.
Kevin is a graduate of James Madison University and holds a degree in business management with a concentration in finance. He is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie leadership training course, as well as various industry and technical course curriculums for aquatics, lake management, limnology, environmental science, fisheries management and GPS mapping and bathymetry. Kevin is widely recognized as an expert in the management of lakes, ponds and other freshwater systems, as well as the management of invasive aquatic plants. He is a founding member of the Society of Lake Management Professionals, an organization dedicated to the management and preservation of fresh water resources, and the accreditation of the professionals who serve this industry. Kevin currently serves on the Board for the Center of Entrepreneurship at James Madison University, is a guest lecturer, and has also served as an Entrepreneur in Residence.
Kevin maintains many industry accreditations and is a Certified Aquatics Pesticide Applicator in eight states, a SePRO Steward of Water and Certified Preferred Applicator, Sales and Service certifications from AquaMaster, Vertex, Otterbine, Aqua Control, and Kasco, and is a certified GPS Mapping Network Partner.
Kevin is a member of numerous associations dedicated to the improvement of our industry, our water resources and our clients’ needs, including CAI (Community Associations Institute), NALMS (North American Lake Management Society), APMS (The Aquatic Plant Management Society), AERF (Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation), RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment), WSSA (Weed Science Society of America), GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America), various Turfgrass Councils, American Fisheries Society and EO (Entrepreneurs Organization).
Kevin is a father, husband and avid outdoorsman. He is a native of southeastern Virginia, and has spent much of his life on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where he nurtured his passion for the ocean and all that it offers. His love of water and the natural environment is what has fueled his passion for his work and his play. If not in the ocean, you will find Kevin in the mountains, on a river, by a waterfall or on a trail. He enjoys surfing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking, camping, skiing, snowboarding and most every sport.