Industry News
Nominations Open for 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year

Gainesville, Florida — March 15, 2026 — In an industry built as much on shared knowledge as it is on technical skill, mentorship remains a vital force shaping our collective future. Recognizing that influence — and the fact that none of us just magically woke up one morning knowing how to clear a swamp, rebuild a pump, or explain cyanuric acid to a homeowner who thinks chlorine is a conspiracy — the Talking Pools Podcast has officially opened nominations for the Second Annual Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Award.
It’s our way of honoring the men and women in this trade who take the time to teach the next generation how to ‘Figure it out.’ The ones who answer the phone when a rookie’s staring at a green pool that looks like the Everglades and whisper the ancient industry wisdom: “Relax, kid. Let’s do this together. What are your water test results telling you?”
The award, created by Rudy Stankowitz, founder of Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants and host of the Talking Pools Podcast network, was established to recognize the individuals who quietly guide the next generation of pool professionals — often without recognition, publicity, or formal titles.
“The pool industry has always been built on apprenticeship,” said Stankowitz. “Most of us can point to someone who took the time not just to answer our questions, but to give us the tools to develop real industry acumen — someone who showed us what to look for when water chemistry didn’t make sense yet, or how to approach a problem the right way, or even how to start up our own pool service company.”
A Recognition Built Around Real Industry Impact
Unlike many traditional awards programs, the Talking Pools Mentor of the Year Award is designed to recognize mentorship as it actually happens in the field.
Nominees are not evaluated by votes or titles; we need those awards in the industry as well, but this one can only be done justice by gauging real-world influence in developing technicians, improving professionalism, and helping others grow within the industry, emphasizing genuine impact.
Eligible nominees may come from any area of the pool industry trades, including:
• Pool service professionals
• Builders and contractors
• Retail professionals
• Manufacturer representatives
• Trainers and educators
• Consultants and industry leaders
What unites the nominees is their commitment to helping others succeed.
Mentors often serve as the first line of professional development in an industry where much of the training happens informally — through ride-along training, troubleshooting calls, or simply being available when someone is facing a difficult situation in the field.
Building on the Success of the Inaugural Award
The inaugural 2025 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Award recognized Rich Gallo of Pure Swim, whose dedication to mentoring pool professionals earned nominations from across the industry.
The award caught on fast inside the pool industry — probably because everybody in this business knows the same ugly truth: if we don’t start teaching the next generation how to do this job properly, we’re going to end up with a whole army of people dumping chlorine into pools like they’re seasoning a pot of spaghetti.
The Talking Pools crew decided to do something different.
They showed up at the winner’s workplace.
Just a surprise visit and the presentation of the Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Championship Belt — a big, unapologetic, over-the-top symbol that says, “This person right here actually took the time to help other people figure this crazy industry out.”
Because mentorship in the pool world happens on pool decks… in service trucks… and usually while somebody’s explaining how to troubleshoot why the water just turned the color of lime Gatorade.
The unconventional presentation reflects the spirit of the award — celebrating mentorship where it actually happens.
Nominations Open March 15
Nominations for the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Award open March 15 and will remain open through May 15, 2026.
Industry professionals are invited to nominate a mentor who has played a significant role in helping them develop their skills, build their business, or navigate the challenges of the pool industry, especially those demonstrating practical mentorship, such as teaching, troubleshooting, or on-site training.
Nominees will be reviewed by the Talking Pools Podcast hosts, and a group of Top 10 finalists will be selected before the final winner is announced later in the year.
The recipient will receive the Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Championship Belt, along with recognition across the Talking Pools Podcast network and affiliated industry media, highlighting the award’s value and encouraging nominations.
A Growing Focus on Mentorship in the Pool Industry
Programs like the Talking Pools Mentor of the Year Award help highlight the importance of those efforts and encourage more professionals to take on mentoring roles within their organizations and communities.
“Mentorship is the bridge between experience and the future,” Stankowitz said. “If we want this industry to continue growing and improving, we have to recognize and support the people who are teaching the next generation.”
Pool professionals wishing to nominate a mentor may submit the nominee’s name along with a description of how that individual has influenced their career or the industry.
Self-nominations and nominations by immediate family members are not eligible.
Nominations can be submitted at:
https://cpoclass.com/pool-news/mentor-award/
Or, visit CPOclass.com and click on the ‘Talking Pools Podcast Mentor Award’ tab
About Talking Pools Podcast
The Talking Pools Podcast is a global podcast network serving swimming pool professionals with discussions on water chemistry, pool service operations, construction practices, safety, and business development. Featuring hosts from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, the program reaches thousands of industry professionals each week and has become a leading voice for education and mentorship in the aquatic trades. Listen to the Talking Pools Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts now.
Industry News
Latham Named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Companies List for Second Year

Recognition Highlights Pool Industry Leader’s Continued Commitment to
Innovation, Sustainability and Employee Experience
LATHAM, N.Y. (August 25, 2026) – Latham, The Pool Company [NASDAQ:SWIM], the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand, has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Companies 2026. This marks the second consecutive year Latham has earned a place on the list, which recognizes leading U.S.-based companies for their financial performance, employee satisfaction, innovation and sustainability efforts.
The comprehensive study, presented by Newsweek in partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, evaluated companies with over $75 million in annual revenue through an extensive survey of more than 179,000 employees and 2.7 million company reviews on financial stability, innovation, and sustainability. To enhance the depth and reliability of the study, Plant-A partnered with leading third-party data providers to assess more than 120 KPIs across critical performance areas such as leadership, integrity, compensation and work-life balance. Only companies that demonstrated outstanding results earned a place on the list.
“Being named one of America’s Greatest Companies for the second year in a row reflects the strength of our people and the culture they have built at Latham,” said Sean Gadd, President and CEO of Latham. “Our team shares a commitment to serving our customers, advancing our industry and finding better ways to work. This recognition shows the impact of those efforts and gives us strong momentum as we continue to grow.”
The Newsweek ranking also considers environmental stewardship, including greenhouse gas emissions, water use, waste reduction and transparency in sustainability reporting. Latham continues to explore ways to improve efficiency, reduce waste and support more responsible practices across its operations.
“Families trust Latham to help create spaces where they can connect, recharge and enjoy time together,” added Gadd. “Earning that trust starts with how we operate as a company. We are proud of this recognition and remain focused on delivering high-quality products, supporting our employees and building a strong foundation for continued growth.”
The full list of America’s Greatest Companies 2026 is published online at Newsweek.com. To learn more about Latham, visit LathamPool.com.
About Latham, the Pool Company
Headquartered in Latham, NY, Latham Group, Inc., is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools and pool accessories in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. With over 60 years of experience and a coast-to-coast operations platform across 24 locations, the company offers a broad range of pool products, including fiberglass, vinyl liner, and automatic safety covers, all designed to provide homeowners with the highest quality and value. For more information, visit www.lathampool.com.
Industry News
Landmark Aquatic Brings Duraflex Diving Equipment to Facilities Nationwide

Duraflex International and Landmark Aquatic have joined forces to bring premier diving equipment to aquatic facilities across the country. The partnership pairs Duraflex’s decades of expertise in diving board design and manufacturing with Landmark’s proven track record in aquatic facility construction, renovation, and maintenance — creating a best-in-class solution for facilities looking to elevate their diving programs.
Whether outfitting a new build or upgrading an existing facility, the collaboration gives aquatic operators access to Duraflex’s full product lineup alongside Landmark’s end-to-end project management and long-term service support. From recreational community pools to high-performance competition venues, the partnership is built to serve divers at every level.
“By joining forces, Duraflex and Landmark Aquatic provides our customers access to greater resources and strengthens our ability to better serve our customers,” said J. Ryan Casserly, Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Aquatic. “We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and the future we’ll build together in the world of aquatics.”
About Landmark
Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Serving clients across most of the U.S., Landmark delivers construction-led solutions and on-going support though its AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions. For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com
About Duraflex International
For over 60 years, Duraflex International has been the trusted name in competitive and recreational diving equipment. Designed for performance and built to last, Duraflex products are found in facilities ranging from neighborhood pools to Olympic-level competition venues worldwide. Duraflex’s commitment to innovation and quality has made it the industry standard for diving boards and aquatic equipment.
Industry News
CCEI Wins 2025 Golden Wave Award

Every two years, the prestigious German media outlet Schwimmbad + Sauna hosts the Golden Waves awards, celebrating and rewarding European companies for their outstanding products, technologies, and innovations in the aquatic and wellness industry. The competition draws entries from across the continent, making each nomination a meaningful recognition of excellence. CCEI has long been a strong contender at this event — most notably in 2019, when the company took home the coveted Gold award.
For this 11th edition of the Golden Waves, CCEI put its connected level regulation system Niva VP for infinity pools in the spotlight. The technology earned the company nominations in three categories: Smart Technology, Usability, and Technical Innovation — a testament to the solution’s breadth of impact and the jury’s recognition of its multi-dimensional value. Thanks to its differential pressure technology, Niva VP delivers ultra-precise water level regulation down to the centimeter, without floats or approximate adjustments.
Representing CCEI at the awards ceremony were Catherine Gobin, Group Sales Director, and Leonie Bauer, Germany Branch Manager, who accepted the Bronze Medal in the Smart Technology category on behalf of the entire CCEI team. Their presence at the event also underscored the company’s active engagement with the European market and its commitment to building lasting relationships within the industry. “We are thrilled and honored to receive this award as it acknowledges the hard work of our entire team who continue to push the technological envelope to bring innovative products to the swimming pool industry,” says Gobin.
This distinction is more than a medal — it is a confirmation of CCEI’s strategic vision and ongoing commitment to shaping the pool of tomorrow: connected, efficient, and sustainable. As the aquatic industry continues to evolve, CCEI remains at the forefront, developing solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with real-world usability for professionals and end users alike.
www.ccei-pool.com/en-us
424-800-2191
CCEI USA Inc.
808 Hindry Ave, Suite G / Inglewood, CA 90301
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