Industry News
PHTA Congratulates WAVE Scholarship Recipients
Five young pool, spa, and hot tub professionals pursue continuing education

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and its WAVE Young Professionals Network Steering Committee have announced the recipients of the 2025 WAVE Young Professionals Scholarship, a program designed to help the next generation of leaders in the aquatics industry access education and training opportunities.
The WAVE Steering Committee established the scholarship to address a common challenge among young professionals: the high cost of continuing education. While many recognize the value of PHTA-approved training, not all have employer support or the financial means to pursue it. The scholarship program helps close that gap by funding one course per recipient, strengthening both their individual careers and the industry as a whole.
“Education and training are essential for the growth of young professionals,” the Steering Committee noted in its announcement. “This scholarship helps ensure that the next generation of industry leaders is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed.”


2025 Scholarship Recipients
Matthew Abel, CBP — Lagniappe Pool Service LLC
Abel, a Certified Pool Builder (CBP), has already completed three GENESIS® courses and plans to continue his studies this fall. His pursuit of advanced training highlights his dedication to technical expertise.
Maritza Briceno — Ph2o Pools & Spas
Briceno is an advocate for continued education and representation in the pool and spa industry. She emphasizes empowering women in technical and leadership roles, providing a fresh perspective on the industry’s future.
Olivia Joyner — Enduring Pools
At just 22 years old, Joyner is already making strides in design and construction. She has pursued independent study in AutoCAD and 3D modeling, showing initiative in building a strong foundation for her career.
Vanessa Moss — United Fitness, Sports and Pools
Moss began her career as a lifeguard and has advanced into pool operations over the past five years. Her experience in water safety and chemistry underscores her steady professional growth.
Jacob Specht — Pool to Spa Services
Specht is preparing to take over his family’s 30-year-old company, becoming the second-generation leader of Pool to Spa Services. His focus on succession planning and team development reflects his commitment to long-term success.
About the Scholarship
To be eligible for the WAVE Scholarship program, applicants must be under the age of 35, a PHTA member in good standing, and committed to the organization’s Code of Ethics. Scholarships cover one PHTA-approved class, which must be completed within six months of the award. Final selections are approved by the PHTA Board of Directors based on recommendations from the WAVE Steering Committee.
Applications for the 2026 WAVE Scholarship will open in the coming months.
Industry News
Cover Care Names Greg Conner Executive VP and General Manager

Cover Care, LLC, providers of automatic pool safety covers and pool safety fencing, is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Conner as the company’s new Executive Vice President and General Manager. In his new role, Conner will oversee the company’s operations, team, and growth strategy as they expand their reach across North America.
Conner brings nearly two decades of global leadership experience in the automation and supply chain technology industries. Most recently, he served as President of Warehousing Solutions – North America at Vanderlande Industries, a Toyota-owned global leader in warehouse automation, leading a $1.2 billion division. There, his seven-point transformation strategy produced the highest sales pipeline in company history, drove a more than 700% increase in qualified sales opportunities and moved the division from last to first in employee opinion survey results.
Conner began his career in 2005 at Bastian Solutions, helping transform the company from an equipment provider into a full-scale automation systems integrator. As Vice President of Global Sales, he helped the company secure hundreds of millions of dollars of sales across three continents while also helping to establish many of the company’s regional offices and oversaw operations across Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and India. After Toyota Industries Corporation acquired Bastian in 2017, he served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, leading the acquisition of RH Brown Company and delivering more than 200% EBIT growth in three years. He was named the Material Handling Institute’s Outstanding Young Professional of the Year in 2015 and holds a degree from Purdue University.
For Conner, who serves as President of the Friends of Central Pool, the role is also personal. “I’ve spent a significant part of my life involved in aquatics and have seen firsthand the importance of water safety,” he said. “The fact that automatic safety covers and pool safety fencing help prevent tragedies and save lives gives the work a purpose that goes well beyond simply selling a product.”
Conner was also drawn to Cover Care’s strong foundation and vision for continued growth. Under his leadership, customers and partners can expect a team that is responsive, creative and easy to do business with — one willing to try new approaches and focused on following through and exceeding expectations.
“Greg brings a fresh perspective and a proven track record of scaling organizations at exactly the right time for Cover Care,” said Jacob Bloss, Director of Operations for Cover Care. “As we experience exponential growth, his experience building high-performing teams, opening new markets and leading global organizations will bring new ideas to how we operate and serve our customers. We’re excited to have him helping lead the next chapter of our company.”
About Cover Care
Cover Care, LLC is a leading provider of automatic pool cover and pool safety fence solutions, offering professional installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement services. With experienced local teams in 39 states across the country, Cover Care partners with pool builders and homeowners to deliver high-quality installations, reliable service, and enhanced pool safety.
Industry News
Luciana Amaro Joins Franklin Electric as Chief Human Resources Officer

Fort Wayne, IN – October 2026 – Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE), announces that Luciana Amaro has been appointed Chief Human Resources Officer. Amaro will report to Joe Ruzynski, Chief Executive Officer, and will lead the company’s global Human Resources strategy, partnering with business leaders to strengthen organizational capability, advance talent and leadership development, and foster a high-performance culture that supports Franklin Electric’s long-term growth objectives.
Amaro brings 28 years of Human Resources leadership experience across complex global organizations with significant R&D, manufacturing, and commercial operations. Her international career spans Brazil, Germany, and the United States. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Elanco Animal Health, where she led a global HR organization supporting the company’s people strategy and business transformation. Earlier in her career, she held senior HR leadership roles at BASF and Yara International, with responsibilities spanning the Americas and global talent and leadership development.
“Luciana’s breadth of experience, strategic mindset, and passion for people make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” said Joe Ruzynski, CEO. “She has a proven track record of building strong organizational cultures, developing leaders, and aligning talent strategies with business priorities. As we continue to grow globally, Luciana’s leadership will help us attract, develop, engage, and retain the talent needed to achieve our long-term goals.”
Amaro’s previous experience and business perspective position her well to support Franklin Electric’s global workforce and strategic priorities.
“It is an honor to join Franklin Electric and become part of an organization with such a strong reputation for innovation, customer focus, and values-driven leadership,” said Amaro. “I look forward to connecting with our people around the world, building on the company’s strengths, and working together to create an environment where people can grow, thrive, and make a meaningful impact on our business and the customers we serve.”
About Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers worldwide in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be recognized in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies 2024, and Greenest Companies 2025; Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024; and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.
Industry News
RB Retail & Service Solutions Launches RB Propel

RB Retail & Service Solutions is pleased to announce it has introduced RB Propel, a new cloud-based business management platform built specifically for pool and spa service and retail businesses. RB Propel is designed to help operators move away from the patchwork of disconnected point-of-sale systems, service apps, spreadsheets, and manual processes that many businesses rely on today, replacing them with a single software system.
The platform connects store operations, field service, inventory, customer history, and back-office workflows, giving owners and teams one control center for the entire business. Rather than choosing between lightweight tools that create blind spots or enterprise systems that add implementation complexity, RB Propel is positioned to offer the operational depth pool and spa businesses need with a modern cloud experience.
Key benefits include reduced duplicate work through connected customer and sales data, stronger margin protection through improved inventory accuracy and job-level visibility, and standardized workflows and reporting that support growth across multiple locations.
RB Propel also includes guided onboarding, training, and responsive support, reflecting the company’s recognition that switching business systems carries risk for operators who can’t afford disruption during peak season.
RB Propel is releasing features in waves and currently onboarding Retail business with the next wave including include service businesses. Learn more at rbretailandservicesolutions.com
About RB Retail & Service Solutions software:
For more than 20 years, pool and spa retailers and service professionals have helped shape RB into a platform built around the real-world needs of the industry. Since 2003, RB has remained focused on one mission: helping pool and spa businesses operate more efficiently, serve their customers better, and grow with confidence.
What began as a vision to simplify complex retail and service operations has evolved alongside the businesses RB serves. Decades of industry experience, customer feedback, and changing technology have helped shape the next chapter of RB: RB Propel.
Built for the future of the pool and spa industry, RB Propel brings the experience and functionality businesses have come to expect from RB into a modern, cloud-based platform designed to simplify everyday operations and support continued growth. From retail and customer management to service, inventory, payments, and business insights, Propel is being designed to connect the critical areas of a pool and spa business in one solution.
RB Propel represents more than a new software platform—it is the next evolution of a partnership that began more than two decades ago. As the industry continues to change, RB remains committed to listening to its customers, embracing innovation, and building technology that helps pool and spa professionals spend less time managing software and more time growing their businesses.
https://rbretailandservicesolutions.com/
1-866-933-9099
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