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AquaStar Promotes Todd Pieri to President

AquaStar Pool Products, a designer and manufacturer of pool equipment, has promoted Todd Pieri to the role of president. A veteran of the pool industry, Pieri joined AquaStar in 2010, holding several sales leadership roles before being promoted to chief operating officer in 2021. See also “[Pieri] has been an integral part of AquaStar’s success, and we are thrilled to elevate him to president,” says Olaf Mjelde, CEO and founder of AquaStar. As president, Pieri will oversee all facets of the operation. He will work closely with leaders across the organization to execute strategies that will enable AquaStar to continue its growth trajectory.

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Haviland Enterprises Celebrates 90 Years of Chemistry

Haviland Enterprises, Inc. is commemorating its 90th anniversary as a supplier of chemicals for cleaning, water treatment, plating and recreational water solutions. Since its founding in 1934 by chemist J.B. Haviland, the company has evolved from a modest laboratory in Michigan to a globally recognized chemical manufacturer with facilities across the U.S. Rendering of future laboratory Meg Post, president and CEO of Haviland, attributes the company’s success to its employee stock ownership plan, which was initiated by the Haviland family in 1997. .in-article-ad-container { display: flex; flex-direction: row; flex-wrap: wrap; column-gap: 3%; margin-bottom: 30px; } .in-article-ad-container div { display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 1; text-align:center; } @media screen and (max-width:600px) { .in-article-ad-container { display:block; text-align:center; } .in-article-ad-container div { margin:20px auto; width:250px; } } .ad-sponsor-text { display: block; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0; font-size: 12px; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 30px; padding-bottom: 10px; color:#666; } - Sponsor - See alsoNewsRB Retail & Service Solutions Hires New Training Specialist Also coinciding with its anniversary milestone, Haviland is constructing a new $7 million flagship laboratory, envisioned as a hub for product development and innovation. The anniversary will be officially commemorated at Haviland’s annual shareholders’ meeting in June.

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Outback Essentials Launches New Website as Official Retailer of AquaRest Spas

Outback Essentials, a Florida-based company with over 35 years of experience in the hot tub industry, announced the launch of its new e-commerce website, ShopAquaRest.com. This online platform is an official retailer of AquaRest Spas’ lineup of hot tubs, covers and spa accessories manufactured in Lake Mary, Florida. AquaRest Spas specializes in the production of rotationally molded hot tubs and accessories. Outback Essentials stocks an inventory at its Florida warehouse, enabling quick lead times for customers who also have the option to buy products that are manufactured to order and shipped directly from the AquaRest Spas factory. For more information, visit ShopAquaRest.com.

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King Technology Emphasizes Recycling as Earth Day Approaches

King Technology, makers of FROG products, partnered with TerraCycle, a global recycler known for “recycling the unrecyclable,” to create a program for their empty hot tub and swim spa cartridges. When FROG retailers sign up for the program, King Technology ships them a FROG Recycle box. “Customers ask us what to do with empty cartridges,” says Kim Goldsbury, owner of Pepper’s Pool & Spa in Kansas City, Missouri. “We tell them to bring them in, and then they can go ahead and buy new product — we take care of everything.” Images of the acceptable cartridges are printed on the FROG Recycle box along with pictures of what the empty cartridges will eventually be made into so customers can see the result of their recycling efforts. When the box is full, the retailer calls UPS for prepaid pickup. The empty cartridges are shipped to a processing plant and are made into items like outdoor furniture, decking or railroad tracks. See also “We want to be a company that helps people recycle,” Goldsbury says. “Our participation shows our customers that we care about the environment. We can do little things to help make a difference in our world and reduce waste.” Available to all FROG retailers, the FROG Recycle Program is a step toward zero waste. “The program gives customers a place to recycle their cartridges and gives retailers an opportunity to connect with their customers and make a positive impact in their communities,” says Jackie Reick, director of marketing for King Technology. “It’s one more way to enrich lives daily.” For more information, contact Alex Granlund at 952-646-4339.

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APi Water Names Jody O’Grady as Commercial Sales Director

APi Water, Inc., a specialty manufacturer of stable oxidizer treatment products, announced Jody O’Grady has been appointed as director of commercial sales. O’Grady has multiple decades of experience including large account and product management, sales representative management, technical solutions and customer experience. See also She is also the current chair of the Recreational Water & Air Quality Committee for the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and was recently elected vice-chair of its Technical Advisory Council. In 2022, she received the Chairman’s Award. Tasked with managing and growing the EZPRO lineup of commercial water care products, O’Grady will work closely with the company’s manufacturer sales representatives’ group, The Grit Game, to promote the products to recreational water facilities and institutions.

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ShopAquaRest.Com Launches Hot Tub, Cold Plunge Combination Unit

ShopAquaRest.com, in collaboration with AquaRest Spas, announced the upcoming launch of the AquaRest CTX 2000 Cold Plunge. Expected to debut June 1, the dual-temperature unit offers a cold plunge tub and a hot tub in a single design. It retails at $4,999 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. To learn more, visit shopaquarestspas.com/coldplunge.

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Women in the Industry Presents Founding Member Awards

Sarah Garrahan On Mar. 23, the Penn-Jersey Pool & Spa chapter presented the Women in the Industry Founding Member awards at its 2024 Awards of Distinction event. Women in the Industry is a group that brings awareness, understanding and solutions for the challenges women face in the pool industry. The founding members and award recipients include Sarah Garrahan, Tracy Bond, Deanna Hasbrouck, Lisa Segen, Adam Skelly, Kim Stroud, Pati Gritz and Amy M. Rullo, with special appreciation to Trese Huss and Jamie Novak for their support and participation. See also “We’ve come a long way since launching our first networking luncheon in 2020,” Garrahan says. “We’ve gained attention and engagement not only regionally but nationally. WITI has created amazing opportunities for connection, inspiration and development. We aim to be as inclusive and accessible as possible.” For more information about how to get involved with Women in the Industry, contact Sarah Garrahan at sarah.garrahan@blithesales.com.

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Georgia Spa Company Continues its Hot Tub for a Hero Program

Georgia Spa Company will award a Hot Tub for a Hero to a deserving teacher through its Gives Back program. Launched in 2018, the Gives Back program selects a charity or cause to support with a portion of proceeds from a given month or quarter’s sales and awards a hot tub to a recipient each year. It’s made possible through support from partnerships with Hot Spring Spas, Gravitt Electric and Spain & Sons Construction. Nominations of outstanding educators are being accepted through April 30 and can be submitted at georgiaspacompany.com.

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King Technology Introduces Mike Noer as New President and CEO

King Technology, Inc., makers of FROG water care products, announced the appointment of Mike Noer as its new president and CEO, effective April 16. Before joining King Technology, Noer held leadership positions at Time Warner, Imation Corporation, Thule Corporation and Miniature Market, where he successfully drove growth strategies, developed and launched new product lines and spearheaded digital transformations. As part of this leadership transition, Joe King, founder of King Technology, will now serve as strategic growth adviser. In addition, the following will serve in new roles: See also Alex King, VP of sales Carson King, VP of operations Jon West, chief growth officer Desiree Church, chief human resources officer Doug Moechnig, formerly at Ecolab, will serve as the new chief financial officer “Noer’s past performance of success will expand the knowledge, experience and skills of our executive team,” Joe King says. “His visionary leadership is rooted in a commitment to people development and community engagement. And his involvement in local and national charities underscores his dedication to making a positive impact beyond the boardroom.” For more information, contact Desiree Church, chief human resources officer, at desiree.church@kingtechnology.com.

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Hayward Cuts Ribbon on Hayward Hub DFW

Leaders from Hayward Holdings, Inc., a global designer, manufacturer and marketer of pool and spa equipment and automation, held a ribbon cutting for the Hayward Hub in Dallas-Fort Worth. The building will serve as a gathering place for the company’s employees and customers in a key market. The Hayward Hub will host classes for customers who want to learn more about the company’s products. More information on class schedules and sign-ups can be found here.

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Master Spas Promotes Kevin Richards to President

Master Spas, a leading spa manufacturer based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, announced that Kevin Richards has been named president of the company. Richards succeeds Terry Valmassoi, who has served as president and CEO. Valmassoi will remain in his role as CEO. “Kevin [Richards] is one of the most experienced and talented people in our industry,” says Valmassoi. “He has an entrepreneurial spirit with a creative mind for innovation, marketing and continuous improvement.” Richards, a Connecticut native, has been with Master Spas for 28 years. He has served in various capacities over his tenure, beginning in production and later working in customer service, retail sales and national sales manager roles. For the past decade, Richards has been part of the executive team, serving as vice president of sales and marketing. See also As president, Richards will continue to oversee the marketing and sales efforts while also leading the executive team. “Our team is creating the next generation of Master Spas hot tubs, swim spas and Chilly GOAT cold tubs to help people live life better,” Richards says. “It’s an honor to contribute to our mission of enhancing well-being and I can’t wait to see where we can take Master Spas next.”

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Olympic Hot Tub Honors Law Enforcement in 8th Annual Event

Olympic Hot Tub is partnering with Behind the Badge Foundation for its eighth annual Honoring Heroes event. “Behind the Badge Foundation steps in to provide immediate and ongoing support to families of law enforcement officers in Washington who have died or suffered serious injury in the line of duty,” says Don Riling, owner of Olympic Hot Tub. “They help bring compassion and understanding at a time of tragedy.” See also To support the foundation, Olympic Hot Tub pledges to donate a portion of every hot tub or swim spa purchase made between April 1 and April 30. The goal is to raise a minimum of $18,000. For more information, visit olympichottub.com.