Member Spotlight
FUN FACTS
- Matt was a volunteer firefighter for nine years and also traveled throughout the country as a
wildland firefighter. - Matt has made furniture from repurposed materials for a historic home he once owned.
- Matt volunteers and serves as the president of his local tree board where they review and approve landscape plans.
Executive Director
Merrillville Stormwater Utility
Indiana
Matt Lake is a certified MS4 specialist and watershed management professional with over 20 years of experience. As the Executive Director of the Merrillville Stormwater Utility, he has implemented an innovative award-winning municipal stormwater program that includes low-impact development requirements.
Matt provided professional stormwater consulting services with Christopher B. Burke Engineering as a Resource Planner and has been responsible for implementing watershed-based cost-share programs and served as a statewide specialist for Lakes, Rivers and Watersheds. He has extensive field experience and was an IDNR Resource Specialist. He worked in partnership with NRCS to oversee design and installation of soil and water conservation practices on agricultural lands as well as providing technical expertise for urbanized areas. He also has forestry experience and was IDNR’s Statewide Urban Forester assigned to help establish sustainable urban forestry management programs throughout Indiana.
Matt received his Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Biology from Governor’s State University where he also received their Environmental Science Research Award. He received the INAFSM Excellence in Stormwater Management Award in 2012 as well as the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in 2015 and 2018. He has published scientific research in the Illinois Academy of Science Journal and with the U.S. Forest Service and was featured in Business View Magazine.
FUN FACTS
- Matt was a volunteer firefighter for nine years and also traveled throughout the country as a wildland firefighter.
- Matt has made furniture from repurposed materials for a historic home he once owned.
- Matt volunteers and serves as the president of his local tree board where they review and approve landscape plans.