Keith Gazaille is an aquatic ecologist and Senior Project Manager for SOLitude Lake Management’s New England region based in central Massachusetts. Keith has worked in the lake and pond management industry since 1998 and has been responsible for the design, permitting and implementation of hundreds of management programs across the Northeast. His direct project experience includes fisheries and wildlife habitat improvement, aquatic, wetland, and upland invasive species control, water quality enhancement, nutrient management, aeration, dredging and watershed management. Keith is a licensed aquatic pesticide applicator in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut and also holds Mosquito/Biting fly and Right of Way pesticide certifications in Rhode Island and Connecticut, respectively. He is also a Certified Invasive Species Manager by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council and is experienced with feasibility assessments and regulatory compliance monitoring and reporting.

Keith has served as the lead project manager for many of SOLitude’s larger and more sensitive projects in the Northeast, having developed and performed invasive species control programs and rare and endangered species habitat management for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, MA Fish and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage Program, US Army Corps of Engineers, The Audubon Society, RI Fish and Wildlife, and the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. He is active in a number of professional organizations such as the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society and the North American Lake Management Society. Through his involvement with these organization and other continuing education programs, Keith stays current with the latest technologies and management protocols.

Keith received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Wildlife concentration from Framingham State University in Framingham, MA, in 1995. Prior to beginning his lake management career with Aquatic Control Technology, Keith worked under a state grant to collect data on the nesting and fledging habits of federally threatened piping plovers on Martha’s Vineyard. He also served as an operations manager for an area property management company that provided landscape maintenance, turf management and invasive species control services.

In his spare time, Keith’s hobbies and interests include saltwater fishing, waterfowl hunting, woodworking and boating. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Rob is our District Manager overseeing the New England District. Rob comes to us with over 30 years of successful people leadership experience in the service, logistics, and transportation industry with an extensive background in leading large teams in route-based service operations. Rob was with UPS for 24 years where he led over 300 colleagues in the Brooklyn and Long Island NY distribution center and package delivery operations. Most recently, Rob was with Iron Mountain Secure Destruction where he led their NY, NJ and New England operations. He managed his team through the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic in Metro NY and Boston, ensuring all hospital networks in the region maintained HIPAA compliance with uninterrupted service throughout the pandemic. In partnership with the Safety team, he developed pandemic-related standard operating procedures and processes for the rest of the company to follow as the virus spread to other major metropolitan areas of the country.

In the District Manager role, Rob will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of his team, growing the business and executing strategic goals of the organization including developing people and supporting our customers.

Rob grew up on Long Island, NY where he resides today with his family. Fishing, swimming, and boating have always been a part of his life, with many fond vacations spent camping on Long Lake in the Adirondacks. Rob and his wife raised 3 boys who share the same love for fishing and camping, all having a deep appreciation for the outdoors.

Dave has more than 26 years of management experience in distribution, warehousing, and retail development. In those capacities, he has managed overall operations and held senior roles for companies including Advance Auto Parts, BJ’s Wholesale Club Distribution, and Best Buy Supply Chain. As a manager in distribution, Dave developed many new processes that improved safety, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Additionally, he developed damage mitigation processes that reduced costs and labor. Dave served as a law enforcement officer in Vermont for more than six years, having been a deputy sheriff as well as a municipal police officer. In the latter role, Dave was a special teams supervisor leading a team of officers at specified locations enforcing Vermont’s underage drinking laws.

Dave was born in Vermont and raised in New Hampshire, where he lived until he moved to Massachusetts in 2010. Before moving to his current residence in Worcester, Dave lived on the shore of Lake Congamond, where he enjoyed kayaking each day and photographing the abundant wildlife that lives around the lake. He owns a photography business that provides instruction to groups of photographers at events all over New England. Dave’s photography excursions allow him to frequently hike, boat, and enjoy the scenic beauty of New England as well as serve as principal photographer at many major music venues.

Dave attended the University of New Hampshire majoring in Biochemistry and later attended Franklin Pierce College studying Business Management.

Dominic Meringolo is an environmental engineer with SOLitude Lake Management and is the regional leader for projects in central and northeast Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. Dominic is also responsible for leading the company’s larger in-lake phosphorus management projects. To date, he has completed dozens of large lake alum treatments across New England and is looking to expand similar services to our clients throughout SOLitude’s service areas. Dominic is a certified supervisory applicator in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York and has worked on hundreds of lakes and ponds, implementing a wide variety of natural management techniques.

Dominic earned his Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA in 1998. He began his career in the lake and pond management industry with Aquatic Control Technology in 1995, while finishing work on his master’s degree. Dominic is an active member of several industry organizations and has presented at events for the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society (NEAPMS), the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS), the Massachusetts Congress of Lake and Pond Associations (MA COLAP), and the New England Association of Environmental Biologists (NEAEB). He has also presented at a number of other client industry conferences and has been invited as a guest speaker to the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dominic is married with four children and when not managing lakes and ponds, he enjoys spending time outdoors camping, fishing, and hiking with his family.

Andrew “Drew” Felter is a Project Manager and Aquatic Specialist for Connecticut. Since joining the team in 2020 as an Aquatic Specialist, Drew has become well-acquainted with the diverse aquatic landscapes of Connecticut. While he takes pride in assisting clients in achieving their lakes and ponds’ aesthetic and functional goals, Drew’s unwavering commitment extends even further.

Drew is committed to maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems, supporting native plants, and fostering wildlife habitats. He takes pleasure in educating stakeholders on the best management practices, ensuring the long-term well-being of these invaluable natural resources.

With a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Business from St. Lawrence University, Drew possesses a unique skill set that bridges the gap between understanding of ecological systems, commitment to environmental sustainability, and capable project management. His understanding of environmental and business realms enables him to provide comprehensive solutions that benefit not only the environment but also the clients’ objectives. As Project Manager, Drew seamlessly blends his technical knowledge with his dedication to exceptional customer service.

Originally from southeastern Pennsylvania, Drew’s childhood was enriched by experiences in nature. Today, he continues to nurture his deep connection to the outdoors during his free time. Whether he’s embarking on invigorating hikes, immersing himself in camping adventures, or cherishing quality moments with his family, Drew finds solace and inspiration in the natural world.

Mike Tartaglia is a Project Manager and Aquatic Specialist at SOLitude Lake Management, where he develops and enacts management plans for clients throughout New England. He specializes in herbicide and algaecide applications, as well as vegetation surveys, fish surveys, water quality monitoring and report development.

Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology with a focus in Aquaculture from Roger Williams University. He spent one year working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a fisheries observer and has been with SOLitude for three years.

A nature lover with a passion for the water, Mike is constantly found fishing, hiking, and kayaking across New England.

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.

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.