Our SOLitude Family

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Mid-Atlantic Leadership Team

Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey

Mike Melnyk

District Manager, Aquatic Specialist
Stephen Mudre

Operations Manager (DE, Eastern MD, Southeastern PA)
Emily Vulgamore

GIS and Mapping Coordinator
John Phelps

Senior Business Development Consultant, Environmental Scientist (PA, DE, MD)
Kevin Locke

Business Development Consultant (New York & Northern NJ)
Vincent Materia

Business Development Consultant (NY & NJ)

Mike Melnyk

District Manager, Aquatic Specialist

Mike Melnyk joined the New Jersey SOLitude team as Operations Manager in June 2023 and was promoted to District Manager for the Mid-Atlantic region. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and an Associate degree in Automotive Technology. Mike has years of experience helping clients build management programs to reach their lake or pond goals.

A results-driven and goal-oriented leader, Mike thrives on leading by example and brings a strong background in customer service, client communication, and fieldwork. He is excited to collaborate with new offices and teams to foster business growth and drive team development across the organization.

Mike resides in Bethlehem, PA, with his wife, Kelsey. Together, they enjoy outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, and snowboarding in their free time.

Stephen Mudre

Operations Manager (DE, Eastern MD, Southeastern PA)

Stephen is an Aquatic Specialist and the Operations Manager for Delaware, Eastern Maryland, and Southeastern Pennsylvania. He has a passion for improving and sustaining aquatic ecosystems and highly values effective communication, to ensure clients’ aquatic management objectives are exceeded.

Stephen is originally from Northern Virginia and grew up working with his dad’s family-owned environmental services company, servicing ponds throughout Virginia and Maryland. In his free time, Stephen likes to spend time outside fishing, hiking, and kayaking.

Emily Vulgamore

GIS and Mapping Coordinator

Emily is the GIS and Mapping Coordinator at SOLitude Lake Management, where she leverages her academic and technical background in aquatic plant management to support projects across New England and beyond. She specializes in map production, data analysis, and data management, while also assisting with reporting, permitting, and serving as a general resource for her colleagues.

Emily’s career in aquatic plant management began in 2017 during an internship with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ invasive species program, where she discovered her passion for preserving aquatic ecosystems. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Science in Crop and Soil Science from North Carolina State University. Her graduate studies within NCSU’s Aquatic Plant Management program centered on cyanobacteria biology, ecology, and management. Additionally, she conducted extensive research trials on the control of invasive and nuisance aquatic plants and examined the impacts of treatment on native species, contributing valuable insights to industry management techniques. Emily has presented her work and won awards at various conferences, including those hosted by the Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS), Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), and the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society (NEAPMS), where she remains an active member. Her research has also been featured in the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS)’s LakeLine Magazine.

After welcoming her son in 2024, Emily transitioned from her role as a Senior Aquatic Biologist and Project Manager to her current role at SOLitude, allowing her to prioritize her new family while remaining fully engaged in her professional passion. She continues to dedicate herself to advancing her knowledge and making contributions to the field of aquatic plant management while embracing motherhood.

John Phelps

Senior Business Development Consultant, Environmental Scientist (PA, DE, MD)

John Phelps is an Environmental Scientist and Senior Business Development Consultant with over a decade of experience in freshwater resource management. He helps ensure communities, municipalities, and private landowners are armed with the knowledge and resources to identify their lake and pond management concerns and consider their long-term goals for the property. John specializes in creating custom management plans that prioritize the health and beauty of these aquatic ecosystems. Throughout his extensive career, John has worked on many diverse and complex projects involving water quality restoration, stormwater compliance, wetland mitigation, mosquito control, and other service areas at local, state, and federal levels. John earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Planning from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He regularly presents to HOA communities and property managers about the sustainable aquatic solutions available to them.

Kevin Locke

Business Development Consultant (New York & Northern NJ)

Kevin Locke is an Aquatic Specialist and Business Development Consultant for New York and the Northern New Jersey region. He enjoys working with his clients to help them achieve their dream of a beautiful lake or pond. From algae control to water quality restoration, Kevin has experience in the aquatics industry and understands how to build a successful lake and pond management program that can help his clients reach their goals.

Kevin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi and an Associate’s degree in Geographic Information Services (GIS) from Del Mar College. He spent eight years working at a fish hatchery in South Texas and lived in Corpus Christi, TX, for 16 years.

A devoted animal lover, Kevin has three cats and a unique aquatic salamander called an axolotl. He enjoys hiking, fishing, and swimming, and loves spending time outdoors, always on the move exploring nature.

Vincent Materia

Business Development Consultant (NY & NJ)

Vincent Materia serves as a Business Development Consultant for the New York and New Jersey Territories. With his experience from the hospitality industry, he strives to provide excellent customer service with a smile. He enjoys collaborating with clients to choose optimal solutions to achieve their management goals for their lake or pond.

Born in Reading, PA, Vincent spent his childhood outdoors by the creek with a fishing rod in hand. His love for the outdoors and aquatic life is what motivates him to educate and guide our clients in the right direction.

We Work Together To Offer Exceptional Service

Our Lake Is the Best It’s Been In Years

Our large lake association had SOLitude install a full lake aeration system and perform an alum application. Our lake is the best it has been in several years.

Thomas Lewandoski

Property Manager, NJ

Got Ponds Back Into Shape

We have 5 water features on the property and before SOLitude Lake Management came, our ponds were full of algae and aquatic weeds, looking very unhealthy. In the past 7 years, SOLitude has cleaned out our ponds and got them back into shape making them look like amazing water features as they should be.

Aaron Tenley

Supervisor, Leisure World of Maryland, Silver Spring, MD

Restored Our Basin

SOLitude has been professional, timely, and cost-effective while providing services to our Borough. They’ve assisted with pond management, treatment of invasive vegetation, and restoration of an overgrown detention basin/pond. I would highly recommend their services.

Kevin O'Sullivan

Borough Engineer, North Caldwell, NJ

Keeps My Pond Looking Great Year-Round

SOLitude is always available to answer questions and help landowners tackle the difficulties of managing a lake or pond. They helped me with aeration and lend me their knowledge to keep my pond looking great all year!

Philip Bye

Private Landowner, Cambridge, MD

SOLitude Gets Homeowners Calling with Compliments

I had two phone calls today from homeowners telling me how beautiful the pond is and that they love the festive lights. Many thanks to SOLitude for always doing such a great job on our community pond!

Adriane DiCamillo, CMCA, AMS

Millersville, MD

Service Has Been Excellent

I have been using SOLitude for several years to manage our retention basin in our neighborhood through our HOA. Service has been excellent.

Scott Shelley

Property Manager, Marlton, NJ

Our Lake Is In The Best Condition

Our lake had portions of it that you couldn’t get a kayak through. We used to call SOLitude when we saw a problem, but then it was too late. We entered into an annual contract for them to periodically inspect our lake and treat it accordingly. SOLitude’s employee, Jeff, calls regularly, visits our lake, inspects it, and if needed, treats whatever required -We have not had any major weed or algae problem. Many of our members have commented that the lake is in the best overall condition in a long time. I am very pleased with their constant care of our lake.

Neil Magargal

Private Landowner, Oak Ridge, NJ

Experts In Stormwater Pond Management

SOLitude has been our stormwater management company for 6+ years. John is our Business Development Consultant and Greg is our primary point of contact. Greg is an exceptional person and is diligent in maintaining healthy, functioning stormwater management for our HOA. I would recommend SOLitude for their expertise in maintenance for Stormwater Management in your community.

Karen Fleck

HOA President, Lewes, DE

Helped Restore Community Pond

These guys are great. Every time I stop them to ask what they are doing they are very polite and knowledgeable. Before we had them in our community our ponds were loaded with scum. Keep up the good work!

William Smith

Community Member, DE

We Are In Good Hands with SOLitude

We were presented with the challenge of dealing with our stormwater basin, which is regulated by EPA standards that we were not familiar with. SOLitude came in and guided us through the entire process. Our basin went from an eyesore to a spectacular main selling point for our community. We are in good hands with SOLitude and cannot thank them enough!

Dawn Crawford

HOA President, PA

SOLitude Get’s the Job Done

We are amazed at the efficiency that Matt, Josh, and Rob demonstrated in operating the harvester. They worked long hours to get the job done and did exactly what I asked them to do. It was my pleasure to work with folks like this and I could tell they had care in what they did. We are very satisfied with the work they did.

Tom Rizzo

Lake Association Board Member, Mercer, PA

Pleased with the Quality of Service

We’ve been working with SOLitude Lake Management since 2009 when an aggressive aquatic weed was becoming a problem and taking over our pond. The staff of SOLitude Lake Management identified the weed and treated the pond promptly with much success. Since that time, our ponds have been monitored monthly by their competent staff and precautions have been taken so that the pond weeds do not get out of control. We are pleased with the quality of service and their effort to work with us towards an organic approach to keeping our ponds healthy.

Marcie Weigelt

Hockessin, DE

Our Lake Is the Cleanest Around

In our dealings with SOLitude over the years, their professionalism, knowledge, and communication with my community are outstanding. Our lake is always one of the cleanest around. Thank you!

Phil Eberle

Glenwood, NJ

Couldn’t Be More Satisfied

Our community began using SOLitude Lake Management after years of unfortunate experiences with another company. We could not be more satisfied, not only with the condition of our pond but also with the level of communication and response time from all the staff. We highly recommend this company.

Dee Slade

Property Manager, Chester, NJ

Our Ponds Look Fabulous

SOLitude has the most responsive team. We use them to manage the runoff ponds that we have in our community. They send updates and let us know what we need to do to keep our ponds looking fabulous.

Chantia Williams-Hicks

Community Manager, Waldorf, MD

Created A Space the Community Can Enjoy

Our community has a one-acre pond that SOLitude has managed for our 200 homes development. They have done a fine job in maintaining the health of the pond so that people can fish and enjoy the surrounding area, wildlife, and gardens. It is a true oasis in a declining area of green spaces for all to enjoy.

Andrea Kowaleski

Property Manager, Marriottsville, MD

Professional & Informative

As president of a local property management firm, I rely heavily on the expertise of SOLitude. They are professional and very informative to clients.

Stuart Galkin

Property Management Firm President, Lewes, DE

The SOLitude Team Is Absolutely Fabulous!

SOLitude consistently provides top-notch customer service and performance, whether it is over the phone or in person on-site. My questions are always answered promptly by your professional and knowledgeable staff. The SOLitude Team is absolutely fabulous!

Dawn Guappone, CMCA

Bridgeville, DE

SOLitude Helped Relieve the Pressure of Maintaining My Pond

Working with the team from SOLitude Lake Management took away the pressure of dealing with an issue that I had never specialized in. The knowledge of everyone involved helped keep the process moving, from engineering to local code compliance. They knew the course that needed to be taken and it was implemented in a timely manner, causing the project to come to completion well within our expectations.

Paul Watts

Wilmington, DE