News

Water Tech Corp, the manufacturer of the original Pool Blaster as well as the Volt and Precision cordless and hoseless pool and spa cleaners, announced it has won the Best Place to Work Award from the NJ Business Journal. “We are so proud to win this award for the third time in a row,” says Guy Erlich, founder and president of the 20-year-old company. “The employees at Water Tech are a family, and we have a lot of fun together making it a great place to work.” 

Superior Wellness has announced the appointment of James Orton as its new finance director.  With over 20 years of experience across a range of sectors, Orton brings financial expertise and strategic leadership to his new position. “I am very excited to join the team here at Superior Wellness,” Orton says. “The business is extremely well placed for further significant growth, building upon the strong foundations in place due to the quality of its partner relationships, product offerings and its people.” Before joining Superior Wellness, Orton was the chief financial officer of Nuvias UC Limited, a specialist IT distributor operating across Europe. See also As the finance director, Orton will play a pivotal role in shaping Superior Wellness’ financial strategy and driving sustainable growth. He will oversee all financial operations, working closely with the senior management team to support the company’s expansion plans and long-term vision. “We are confident that James will contribute significantly to our continued success as we continue to grow globally,” says Rob Carlin, managing director at Superior Wellness. Based in Chesterfield, United Kingdom, Superior Wellness is one of the world’s fastest-growing hot tub manufacturers with a network of global partners, distributing several brands including Platinum Spas, Thermals Spas, Be Well, Chill Tubs and Hekla Saunas.

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance is pleased to announce Kate Perry and Kaitlyn Hamacher as the recipients of the 2023 PHTA Scholarship. To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must be a PHTA-certified pool professional or an immediate family member and must submit an application package for the PHTA board to review. This year’s essay prompt was, “If you had $100,000 to develop a water safety program in your community, what program would you develop and how would the program give children the ability to feel confident, inspired, and empowered in and around the water?” Perry, who attends Georgia Southern University, received the $2,000 scholarship. She is a PHTA-certified pool & spa operator and has earned several certifications from the American Red Cross for lifeguarding and first aid. Her previous jobs in the aquatics industry include swim instructor, lifeguard, service technician and aquatics manager. Perry’s essay focused on generational barriers resulting in fear of the water and developing a learn-to-swim program for both children and their primary guardian. She highlighted the importance of ensuring swim instructors are properly trained and certified in water safety. Hamacher, who attends Western Michigan University, received the $1,000 scholarship. Hamacher is the daughter of a PHTA CPO Instructor, has earned an associate degree in studio art and is now double-majoring in studio art and psychology. Her essay explained how layers of protection, including pool covers and swim safety education, can decrease the drowning rate. Her suggested program would help residential pool owners equip their pools with safety covers as well as provide additional learn-to-swim programs through initiatives such as PHTA’s Step Into Swim. Formal recognition of this year’s recipients will occur at the World Aquatic Health Conference in Las Vegas during the CPO 50th Anniversary Luncheon on Nov. 13. To learn more about the PHTA Scholarship Program, visit phta.org/education-and-events/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/.

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is announcing the appointment of the Standard Writing Committee of the ANSI/APSP/ICC-1 American National Standard for Public Swimming Pools and is requesting input and participation from all interested parties. The APSP-1 standard will be redesignated as the PHTA/ICC-1 Standard for Public Pool and Spa Design, Construction, and Installation. Members of the PHTA-1 Standard Writing Committee are: Chair: Dennis Berkshire, Aquatic Design Group, Carlsbad, California Richard Anderson, International Code Council, Country Club Hills, Illinois Bruce Carney, American Pools & Spas, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Dewey Case, CMAHC, Hattiesburg, Mississippi Jonathan Dongell, Pebble Technologies, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona John Garner, Sr., Pools by John Garner, Jacksonville, Florida Ken Green, Fresh & Clear Pool Service, Henderson, Nevada Ken Gregory, Pentair, Washington, Utah Scott Heusser, Idaho Pool Remodeling, Meridian, Idaho Bill Irvin, Preferred Pool Corp, Kaufman, Texas John Mason, Deschutes County Environmental Health Department, Bend, Oregon Trevor Sherwood II, Pool Operation Management, Brick, New Jersey Graeme Thomson, Splash Inc., Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Stephen Votta, Fluidra, Carlsbad, California Michael Weinbaum, Martin Aquatic Design and Engineering, Winter Garden, Florida See also The PHTA-1 Standard Writing Committee will revise the standard establishing provisions which apply to the construction, alteration, movement, renovation, replacement, repair and maintenance of aquatic venues, public pools and public spas. The Standard Writing Committee is reviewing and considering revisions to the standard for consideration by PHTA’s American National Standards Institute consensus voting body, the Standards Consensus Committee. Interested parties are welcome to attend meetings as observers throughout the revision process. Any individual can also submit change request forms to the Standard Writing Committee for consideration. Those who would like to be informed of the activities and events relating to the standard can visit www.phta.org/standards or sign up to receive email updates. Change request forms are due to PHTA by Aug. 14. For more information, visit the participate in the process webpage, phta.org/standards or email Blake Pavlik at bpavlik@phta.org.

NESPA inducted its 2023-2024 board of directors at the association’s annual membership meeting in September. “We’re ready to tackle the challenges ahead and create new opportunities for our industry,” says Kyle Chaikin, the newly elected board president. “NESPA has a long history of helping our members succeed, and we’re committed to continuing that tradition.” The following members of the executive committee for the association were sworn into office: President Kyle Chaikin, Chaikin Ultimate Pools, Deer Park, New York Vice President Rob Romano, David Cooke Plaster Co., Norwalk, Connecticut Treasurer Isaac Keselman, Aqua Doctor, Inc., East Hanover, New Jersey Secretary Bob Blanda, Mill Bergen Pools, Brooklyn, New York Past President Julie Kazdin, Kazdin Pools Inc., Southampton, New York The board is also comprised of representatives from the Northeast Spa and Pool Association’s four chapters as well as directors at large. Directors At Large George Kazdin, Kazdin Pools & Spas Jeff McGalliard, Premier Pools & Spas Amy Rullo, BioLab Connecticut Chapter Michael Todd, Rainbow Pools & Construction Co. Bill Drakeley, Drakeley Pool Company, LLC Bob Russell, Glengate Company Rob Romano, David Cooke Plaster Co.See also Long Island Chapter Barbara Rizzi, Torts Group Ed Cohen, Chaikin Ultimate Pools Ken Barthman, Dunrite Leisure Pools Metro NY-NJ Chapter Robert Blanda, Mill Bergen Pool Center Isaac Keselman, Aqua Doctor, Inc. John Migliaccio, retired Penn-Jersey Chapter Sean Bishop, The Pool Experts, Inc. Sarah Garrahan, Blithe Sales Company Jeremy Hasbrouck, Hasbrouck Pool and Spa For more information about NESPA, emailinfo@nespapool.org or call 609-689-9111.