What’s a LakeLubber?
A LakeLubber is a lover of lakes, a connoisseur of inland bodies of water so to say.
Is it in the dictionary? No, but we aim to rectify that.
At LakeLubbers.com, we share our passion for lakes and all the things that make lake life special. We also strive to bring like-minded water enthusiasts together to share the joy that comes with living on or visiting a lake.
Truly, #lakelifeisthebestlife.
How it all got started
The idea for LakeLubbers.com was developed in 2007 by co-founders Brian and Lisa Raub when they moved to Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.
The goal of these high-energy lake lovers was to create a database of lakes and reservoirs worldwide as a way to provide easy access to information for water enthusiasts looking for amazing recreational, vacation and retirement opportunities.
Lisa Raub
Co-Founder
Raised in Pennsylvania, Lisa earned her BA from Yale University and her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Lisa was the president of A1Vacations.com from 1999 to 2005, when it was acquired by Homeaway. For more than 13 years, Lisa wrote LakeLubbers’ monthly newsletter, blog, and Facebook content – as well as managed day-to-day operations.
Brian Raub
Co-Founder
Raised in Pennsylvania, Brian earned a BA from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard. He founded the Vacation Villa Referral Center (1996) and then A1Vacations, which became one of the world’s largest vacation rental advertising services. His role as a LakeLubbers founder was to direct website development and he also occasionally created content about lakes that he visited.
The Raubs and their team of support professionals built LakeLubbers into the premier website for descriptive and anecdotal information on more than 1,600 lakes in the United States and 2,150-plus worldwide.
Each article has been individually researched and includes lake statistics, information on fish species and summaries of recreational activities for you, your friends and your family to enjoy.
Also popular are the comparison pages, which break down such compelling information as world’s largest lakes by volume and world’s deepest lakes. We’ve also got this information for each individual state, as well. Excellent material for trivia night!
The second generation of LakeLubbers
Sadly, Brian Raub passed away in March 2021 after a nine-month battle with rare duodenal cancer.
It was his and Lisa’s wish to entrust LakeLubbers to new stewards who would continue the site’s mission to enthusiastically promote lakes to tourists and/or those considering making a lake their permanent or second home.
Enter Andie Gibson and Jennifer Church, long-time friends, partners in G&C Ventures, LLC and colleagues of the Raubs.
Andie and Jennifer
Combined, Andie and Jennifer have more than 55 years of experience in writing, editing, graphic design, publishing, social media, website management and online sales and marketing.
Perhaps just as important, they live on lakes and are huge proponents of the lake lifestyle.
Andie and Jennifer took over LakeLubbers in April 2021 and embarked on a major site redesign, as well as an overhaul of the content management system. The result is an updated design, improved navigation and a faster, cleaner interface that’s optimized for mobile users.
In addition, the LakeLubbers blog has been revived and advertising opportunities are now available throughout the site.
We are excited you’re here and can’t wait to showcase even more information on what makes lake life the best life!
Connect / Advertise with us!
Interested in advertising on LakeLubbers? Visit our Advertising page.
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More staff, lake researchers and contributors
Over the years, LakeLubbers has enjoyed the assistance of the many excellent researchers and writers appreciatively listed below. Their contributions are what made this site possible for you to find lakes near and far, to learn about their attributes, and then to find, visit, and enjoy them.
Pete Grosch
Marketing Director
Joined LakeLubbers in 2009 to develop marketing/sales strategies – after starting and retiring from two businesses. Pete earned a BS from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Emory. Sadly, Pete passed away in 2016.
Esteban Hernandez
Web Programmer and Developer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2009. Esteban lives in Costa Rica and has worked as a website developer since 2007. Fluent in three languages, he earned a degree in Computer Science at the University of Costa Rica – and thrives on new challenges. Esteban is developing our mobile-friendly website.
Paul Glover
Web Programmer and Developer
Programmed this website from 2007-2011 and occasionally helps us to improve it. Originally from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Paul earned his BSC in Information & Communications Technology from Queens University in Belfast, Ireland (1996), then worked in software development in Belfast. Paul and his wife Kelli live near Smith Mountain Lake.
Linda Sunkle-Pierucki
(1947-2016)
Lake Researcher, Writer, and Lake Facts Checker
Joined LakeLubbers in 2008. She wrote about more of “our” lakes than any other LakeLubber. She raised three children and enjoyed visiting lakes of every size and description in her native Michigan. She lived in a small-town version of Golden Pond and was a beloved member of our “family.”
Laura Rodriguez Escude
Graphic Designer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2009. Laura was born in Barcelona, Spain and raised on Costa Rica’s plains. She graduated with a degree in architecture from the University of Costa Rica. Laura created LakeLubbers’ graphic design and page layout. She is a passionate flamenco student.
Erin Raub
Social Media Marketing Advisor
Joined LakeLubbers in 2007. Raised in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, Erin earned her BA in Anthropology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Virginia. She writes about travel and adventure in Costa Rica.
Fabian Cordero
Lake Photos Manager
Joined in 2009. Born and raised in San Jose, Costa Rica, Fabian moved to the Heredia mountains in 2008. Feeding his interest for all things environmental, he earned his BA degree in agronomy from the University of Costa Rica.
Jennifer Merritt
Lake Researcher/Writer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2008. Originally from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Jennifer earned a BFA from Penn State University and studied Architecture at Virginia Tech. She moved to Virginia in 1994, to a 16 acre farm pond, with her husband and three young sons.
Sarah Enquist
Lake Researcher/Writer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2008. Sarah grew up in Roanoke, Virginia and earned a degree at Virginia Western Community College. She currently lives in Virginia with her husband, two sons, and one daughter
Sandra Durham
Lake Researcher/Writer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2008. A Virginia native, Sandra earned her BS from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. After 18 years in retail banking, she became involved in teaching and led to her Masters of Education from UVa’s Curry School. Now a full-time teacher and part-time writer, Sandra lives in Virginia’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband and daughter.
Cathy Herpich
Lake Researcher/Writer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2009. An avid reader and researcher, Cathy earned her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin. After serving 25 years in public and special libraries, Cathy now provides occasional library consulting services and volunteers at the local Animal Defense League. She lives in Texas with her husband.
Teri Olcott
Lake Researcher/Writer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2009. Originally from Arizona, Teri now lives in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. She has been writing all her life and has worked as a newspaper reporter, ad designer and technical writer. For fun, Teri writes screenplays, short stories and poetry.
Kristen Plank Clement
Lake Researcher/Writer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2009. Kristen graduated from the University of Georgia in 2008 with a degree in communications before becoming a reporter in Colorado. She now lives in Indiana and enjoys writing, horseback riding, and reading cooking blogs.
Genna Marie Robustelli
Lake Researcher/Writer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2009. Genna Marie is a freelance writer currently living in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. She focuses on travel features, magazine and website content and business copy. Genna grew up in Connecticut and Georgia, and graduated from the College of Charleston in 2006.
Laura Plank
Lake Researcher/Writer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2010. Born in San Diego and raised in Georgia, Laura is earning her degree in Chemistry at Georgia Perimeter College. She spent several years in customer service and now enjoys freelance writing. Laura spends her free time with her fiancé and their son. She also enjoys reading and riding horses.
Jen Durgan
Lake Researcher/Writer
Joined LakeLubbers in 2010. A native of the Adirondacks in Northern New York, Jen earned a degree in English literature in 1996 and has worked in the publishing industry ever since. She is currently an editor and writer for a technical publications company in New York, where she lives with her husband. Jen enjoys home improvement projects and reading.
Meet the rest of the G&C Ventures family
LakeLubbers Shop: Online store for lake-related gifts, apparel and home decor you can personalize.
Smith-Mountain-Lake.com: An insider’s guide to Virginia’s most popular lake.
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