News

PHTA Reveals The 2022 International Awards Of Excellence Winners

Published

4 years ago

October 13, 2022

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is proud to announce this year’s winners of the PHTA Awards of Excellence. PHTA’s International Awards of Excellence program is one of the largest, most well-renowned design competitions in the pool and hot tub industry. These distinguished awards recognize exceptional installations of pools, spas, hot tubs, and water features that showcase the most beautiful, creative, and innovative work in the industry. Each year, hundreds of entries are submitted by builders across the U.S. and the world.

The PHTA Awards of Excellence competition is open to PHTA members who are pool, spa, or hot tub builders as well as installers, designers, retailers, or service companies that receive payment for the submitted project. The judging panel is comprised of industry professionals.

See below for the list of 2022 PHTA International Award of Excellence Winners:

GOLD Category

Atkinson Pools, Charleston, SC Recreation/Leisure Pools

Cascade Custom Pools, Austin, TX Technical/Engineering Achievement

Cascade Custom Pools, Austin, TX Swim Spas

Cascade Custom Pools, Austin, TX Pool Renovations

Claffey Pools, Southlake, TX Traditional

Claffey Pools, Southlake, TX Commercial Water Features

Dal Pino Quality Pools, Inc, Auburn, CA Freeform

Goodall Pools & Spas, Camp Hill, PA Fiberglass Pools

J&M Pool Company, Senoia, GA Vinyl-Lined Pools

J.Brownlee Design / Watermark Pools, Franklin, TN Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Keith Zars Pools, San Antonio, TX Traditional

Morris Pools LLC, Mesa, AZ Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Ozzie Kraft Enterprises Inc, Las Vegas, NV Geometric

Ozzie Kraft Enterprises Inc, Las Vegas, NV Pools with Automatic Covers

Radelli Design | Build, Oak Point, TX Geometric

Regal Pool and Design, LLC, Spring, TX Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure

Ryan Hughes Design Build, Tampa, FL Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Ryan Hughes Design Build, Tampa, FL Screened Enclosed Pools

Ryan Hughes Design Build, Tampa, F Traditional

Shasta Pools / Creative Environments, Phoenix, AZ Geometric

Shehan Pools, Florence, KY Spas Built in Conjunction with Swimming Pools

Texas Pools Inc, The Woodlands, TX Freeform

The Green Scene Landscaping and Pools, Chatsworth, CA Residential Water Features

Venture Custom Pools, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX Geometric

SILVER CATEGORY

Backyard Oasis, Inc, Tomball, TX Geometric

Claffey Pools, Southlake, TX Geometric

Claffey Pools, Southlake, TX Pool Renovations

Claffey Pools, Southlake, TX Traditional

Concord Pools & Spas, Latham, NY Vinyl-Lined Pools

Cosgrove Custom Pools, Loomis, CA Pools with a Vanishing Edge

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Pools with Automatic Covers

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Recreation/Leisure Pools

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Traditional

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Technical/Engineering Achievement

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Residential Water Features

Ike’s Carter Pools, Oakland Park, FL Freeform

Ozzie Kraft Enterprises Inc, Las Vegas, NV Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure

Russell Pool Company, Baton Rouge, LA Geometric

Ryan Hughes Design Build, Tampa, FL Geometric

Ryan Hughes Design Build, Tampa, FL Screened Enclosed Pools

Southernwind Pools, McKinney, TX Geometric

Superior Pools of Southwest Florida, Inc, Spas Built in Conjunction with Swimming Pools

Fort Myers/Port Charlotte, FL

Texas Pools Inc, The Woodlands, TX Traditional

BRONZE CATEGORY

California Pools of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV Geometric

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Geometric

Alpine Pools Cranberry Twp, Cranberry Twp, PA Vinyl-Lined Pools

Cascade Custom Pools, Austin, TX Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure

Claffey Pools, Southlake, TX Traditional

Claffey Pools, Southlake, TX Pool Renovations

Cody Pools, Inc, San Antonio, TX Traditional

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Recreation/Leisure Pools

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Technical/Engineering Achievement

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Spas Built in Conjunction with Swimming Pools

Elite Luxury Pool & Landscaping, Omaha, NE Pools with Automatic Covers

Elite Luxury Pool & Landscaping, Omaha, NE Freeform

J&M Pool Company, Senoia, GA Geometric

J.Brownlee Design / Watermark Pools, Destin, FL Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Leisure Living Pools, Frisco, TX Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Shehan Pools, Florence, KY Freeform

Superior Pools of Southwest Florida, Inc, Screened Enclosed Pools

Fort Meyers/Port Charlotte, FL

Tipton Spires Design | Build, Houston, TX Geometric

MERIT CATEGORY

A Oasis Pools and Outdoor Living, Midlothian, TX Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Acuarium Piscinas & Spas, San Jose, Costa Rica Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Almar Jackson Pools, Jupiter, FL Freeform

Artisan Pools NC, Kitty Hawk, NC Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Atkinson Pools, Charleston, SC Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Backyard Oasis, Inc, Tomball, TX Geometric

Burton Pools & Spas, Fort Smith, AR Vinyl-Lined Pools

Cajun Pools & Spas, Breaux Bridge, LA Pools with a Vanishing Edge

California Pools of Austin, Austin, TX Geometric

Cascade Custom Pools, Austin, TX Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Claffey Pools, Southlake, TX Geometric

Claffey Pools, Southlake, TX Freeform

Cody Pools, Inc, San Antonio, TX Geometric

Dal Pino Quality Pools, Inc, Auburn, CA Geometric

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Geometric

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure

DIFFAZUR PISCINES, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Recreation/Leisure Pools

Easton Pool & Spa, Inc, Easton, MA Pools with Automatic Covers

Elite Luxury Pool & Landscaping, Omaha, NE Geometric

Flowing Wells Landscape & Pools, Chandler, AZ Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Green O’Aces Pools & Landscape, Las Vegas, NV Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Harold Leidner Company, Dallas, TX Geometric

Heritage Pools, LLC, North Charleston, SC Geometric

Ike’s Carter Pools, Oakland Park, FL Pools with a Vanishing Edge

J.Brownlee Design / Watermark Pools, Franklin, TN Pools with a Vanishing Edge

LIQUID EVOLUTION POOLS, Scottsdale, AZ Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Melo’s Pools and Outdoors, Palm Desert, CA Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Ozzie Kraft Enterprises Inc, Las Vegas, NV Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Riverbend Sandler Pools, Plano, TX Geometric

Riverbend Sandler Pools, Plano, TX Traditional

Rumo’s Pool and Spa, LLC, Sandy Springs, GA Traditional

Russell Pool Company, Baton Rouge, LA Geometric

Ryan Hughes Design Build, Tampa, FL Geometric

Ryan Hughes Design Build, Tampa, FL Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Shasta Pools, Phoenix, AZ Pool Renovations

Silver Fox Contracting LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Southernwind Pools, McKinney, TX Geometric

St. John Pools, Pearland, TX Geometric

Stainless Aquatics, A Division of Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure

Island Construction Corporation, Del Mar, CA

Superior Pools of Southwest Florida, Inc, Screened Enclosed Pools

Fort Myers/Port Charlotte, FL

Texas Pools Inc, The Woodlands, TX Geometric

The Green Scene Landscaping and Pools, Chatsworth, CA Geometric

The Green Scene Landscaping and Pools, Chatsworth, CA Pools with a Vanishing Edge

Tipton Spires Design | Build, Houston, TX Freeform

“We were absolutely blown away by this year’s Awards of Excellence submissions,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “It was tempting to give an award to every entry, but the judging panel did a phenomenal job narrowing down the finalists. This year’s winners are truly the best of the best. We are proud of all of our 2022 winners!”

The winning entries are featured in the October issue of AQUA Magazine and the winning companies will be honored during the Awards of Excellence Reception on November 14 at PSP/Deck Expo in Las Vegas.

A video featuring photos of all the Awards of Excellence winning entries can be found on the PHTA Awards of Excellence webpage.

For more information, please contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083, ext. 121.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with over 3,600 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

5/5 - (2 votes)

Alise Everton

Alise Everton has been working in the pool industry for the past decade and is an experienced press correspondent and contributor for numerous trade publications and web portals including PoolMagazine.com and PoolContractor.com among others. Contact her for guest posting opportunities, press releases, and pool equipment related news.

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Pool Builder

Ownership Group Acquires Shasta Pools, Announces Expansion Plans to Offer Complete Home Services

Dansons Capital Group, Accrual Equity Partners, and Hydro Construction purchased Arizona’s premier pool builder with eye on developing national brand

Published

5 days ago

August 31, 2026

Marianne Trusty

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (August 31, 2026) – Dansons Capital Group, in partnership with Accrual Equity Partners (AEP) and Hydro Construction (HydroCon), completed the acquisition of Shasta Pools, Phoenix Metro’s most recognized pool builder, and announced an immediate expansion into the broader home services market with plans to grow the brand into a national powerhouse. Founded in 1966 by brothers Bob and Skip Ast, the third-generation, family-owned pool business has built or renovated more than 150,000 pools across Maricopa County and is among the country’s top premier pool builders. The acquisition, finalized August 6, positions the company with a competitive edge as it enters a new phase of accelerated growth

Building on Shasta’s track record of success, the ownership group will grow the company’s core business divisions, including residential and commercial pool construction and renovation, Shasta Signature Series luxury pool designs, backyard hardscaping solutions, extended warranties, and e-commerce supplies. The deal also directs new capital into Shasta’s high-volume, recurring pool maintenance business, establishing a scalable foundation for an expanded home services portfolio.

Expanding the Home Services Model

Shasta Pools will also debut Shasta Home Services, the first step in the company’s expansion into a comprehensive home services platform. Shasta enters the space with more than 200,000 customer relationships, route density in Central Arizona, and a 60-year brand homeowners have entrusted with their homes. The company plans to aggressively expand the platform organically and through partnership across the essential services every home depends on.

In addition, work has begun on a new, state-of-the-art design center and headquarters in Scottsdale that will centralize operations and give customers a welcoming, creative atmosphere to reimagine their yards. The campus will also anchor a technology-driven contact center staffed by a world-class team that creates a single point of contact for every Shasta customer, from pool service to the company’s expanding home services platform.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values

Dansons Capital Group, a family business led by CEO Dan Thiessen, President Jeff Thiessen, and COO Jordan Thiessen, built and grew a portfolio of backyard-focused businesses including Pit Boss Grills, which they scaled into a worldwide brand before selling in June 2023.

Jeff Thiessen sparked a relationship with the Ast family during the construction of his own backyard pool, a personal experience that gave him firsthand insight into the industry’s potential. Recognizing the Ast family’s shared values and significant opportunity with strategic investment, he partnered with AEP and HydroCon to pursue that growth together.

“Shasta Pools has national industry brand recognition and has been an Arizona legacy for the last 60 years and we’re excited to reinvest in the company and catapult its growth into the next 60 years,” said Jeff Thiessen, President, Dansons Capital Group. “We’ve already met with more than 200 employees to learn what they love about Shasta Pools and hear their ideas of how we can grow the company and continue providing our customers with amazing customer service.”

Dan Thiessen will serve as Chairman and lead the new ownership team to identify and hire top industry talent and grow Shasta’s home services platform to develop it into a national brand.

Legacy Preserved, Future Secured

“This was the right time to bring in a new ownership team to take Shasta Pools to the next level and the next generation of growth,” said Skip Ast Jr., who served as president at Shasta Pools. “My father and my family built this company on a commitment to quality to every homeowner who trusted us with their backyard, their budget, and their own family. We’re confident that the new leadership team’s commitment to uphold that will never change. Knowing this team shares our values and will invest in our team gives Shasta Pools the foundation to grow stronger than ever.”

Ast helped build Shasta Pools to a dominant force in the industry, with multiple divisions topping $100 million in combined revenue. The company holds membership in the prestigious Master Pools Guild, one of only 110 members globally.

A Different Approach to Private Equity

“Partnering with Shasta Pools represents the future of home services. A trusted, generational brand, Shasta brings 200,000 loyal customer relationships with a genuine commitment to the people who serve them every day,” said Jacob Tilzer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Accrual Equity Partners. “Together with our partners at Dansons Capital Group and Hydro Construction, we all share a belief that enduring businesses are built on trust, earned one customer at a time. We’re proud to build alongside this team as Shasta grows into a nationwide home services brand.”

The new ownership group brings more than 150 years of combined expertise in building, scaling, and optimizing service industry brands. Each company shares a faith-based approach to business grounded in stewardship, integrity, and care for the communities they serve. Shasta Pools’ brand will continue its community programs, including swim lessons, support for foster care, and initiatives serving first responders.

ABOUT DANSONS CAPITAL GROUP:

Dansons Capital Group, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a family-owned and family-managed investment firm built on shared values, integrity and long-term vision. The firm was established by the founders of Dansons, Inc., the company that launched and sold Pit Boss Grills. The company takes a hands-on approach, actively seeking opportunities across global markets and multiple asset classes. Its growing portfolio includes strategic real estate development holdings across multiple countries, oil drilling technologies, and limited partnership investments. Guided by a deep commitment to quality and the communities they serve, the Thiessen family leads with gratefulness for the blessings God has given them and in turn supports those less fortunate. Dansons Capital Group continues to identify and cultivate opportunities that reflect their family’s values and generational vision.

ABOUT ACCRUAL EQUITY PARTNERS:

Accrual Equity Partners (AEP) is a founder-led, privately funded private equity group built on the belief that every person, every percentage, and every product matters. This commitment, known as the “Power of One,” drives AEP’s mission to empower businesses and secure legacies across fragmented, service-based industries. AEP partners with founder-led and family-owned businesses to overcome barriers and unlock their full potential through strategic investment, operational performance enhancement, and advisory services. For more information, visit accrualequitypartners.com/

ABOUT SHASTA POOLS:

Shasta Pools is Arizona’s trusted name in custom pool building, proudly serving the Valley since 1966. For 60 years, Shasta has transformed backyards into beautiful, functional spaces where families relax, entertain and enjoy life. The company specializes in new pool construction, remodeling, pool service and landscape design with plans for expansion into the home services market to provide customers with complete home care solutions. Learn more at ShastaPools.com.

ABOUT HYDRO CONSTRUCTION:

Hydro Construction, LLC (HydroCon) was founded in 1986 to serve Arizona’s commercial pool construction and renovation market. Under the leadership of Curt Lonsdale, the company’s commercial pool construction division now manages some of the largest and most complex projects in the country.

5/5 - (13 votes)

Manufacturer

JED Pool Tools Unveils 2027 Catalog

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Susie Cuebas

JED Pool Tools, manufacturer of swimming pool maintenance equipment and accessories, is pleased to announce the availability of its new, comprehensive 2027 catalog of products. This newly printed catalog offers 40 pages of color photography showing all of JED’s maintenance equipment products and accessories—from its award-winning hoses to its innovative, patented products like the FLAS ladder anchor saver! The catalog even highlights its many “Made in the USA” products including those manufactured at the JED facility in Pennsylvania.

“We are pleased to offer the pool industry this printed catalog which can also be accessed online, 24/7 and showcases the many products we make at our facility or are made within the US,” says Rob Heyen, Account Executive at JED Pool Tools.

Those interested in downloading or ordering the catalog, should visit:
www.JEDPoolTools.com
570-344-4137

About JED Pool Tools
JED Pool Tools has been making high-quality pool tools and pool accessories in the USA for over 30 years. JED Pool Tools sells over 400 different products including residential and commercial skimmers, leaf rakes, poles, wall brushes and vacuum heads as well as hoses and through-wall skimmer parts. JED is a family-run company with 3-generations of Heyen family working for the company and is committed to creating and providing jobs for residents of Scranton, PA. JED is proud of and committed to manufacturing in the USA, many it its own facility in Scranton, PA. To learn more about the company and its products visit www.JEDPoolTools.com.

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Manufacturer

CCEI Introduces New Color for pH & ORP Controllers

Published

2 weeks ago

August 24, 2026

Susie Cuebas

CCEI Oxeo ORP and Phileo pH controllers in a new white design for automated pool water chemistry monitoring and dosing.

CCEI introduces new color for its pH & ORP monitoring and dosing controllers in a sleek new, modern, white color design that blends into any pump room! CCEI’s pH & ORP controllers automatically manage pool water chemistry using the free Vigipool app. The Phileo pH and Oxeo ORP controllers are simple to set up and easy to use. They monitor and dose pool water and alert pool owners and service professionals when pool water falls out of balance. The dosing pump lights up in various colors to alert you of your pool’s pH and ORP levels. Designed to help pool professionals profits by upgrading clients with the Phileo pH & Oxeo ORP measuring and dosing chemical controllers!

www.ccei-pool.com/en-us
424-800-2191
CCEI USA Inc.
808 Hindry Ave, Suite G
Inglewood, CA 90301
https://www.instagram.com/ccei p ool_na/