News
GEHA and the Hunt Family Foundation Support Delaney 37 Foundation
Funds will honor Joe Delaney, who tragically died while trying to save three children from drowning, and will address inequities in aquatic safety by providing swim lessons to students in Haughton, Louisiana.

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. – GEHA (Government Employees Health Association, Inc., pronounced G.E.H.A.) and The Hunt Family Foundation today announced they will jointly fund swimming lessons for children in the hometown of legendary Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney.
GEHA and The Hunt Family Foundation are each giving $5,000 to the Delaney 37 Foundation. Organized by Delaney’s widow and daughters, the foundation provides children in the community around Haughton, Louisiana, with mentorship and education, including programs for water safety, financial literacy and leadership. The $10,000 from GEHA and The Hunt Family Foundation will be used to provide a series of weekly and monthly swimming lessons and aquatic safety programs to the community. To provide an equitable experience from start to finish, the funds will also be used for transportation to neighboring Bossier City, Louisiana, which is the closest swimming pool/facility to Haughton, Louisiana.
“If my dad saw a need, he was going to step in and help,” said Joanna Noel, youngest daughter of Joe Delaney and Delaney 37 Foundation leader. “My father would be proud of the work that is being done in his name by GEHA and The Hunt Family Foundation to make swimming safer for many families.”
On June 29, 1983, Joe Delaney lost his life while attempting to rescue three children from drowning in a pond in Monroe, Louisiana. Despite not being able to swim, he immediately entered the water to help – an effort that resulted in one child being saved.
“As we expand our efforts with The Hunt Family Foundation and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to ensure that children are safe through the Joe Delaney Learn to Swim Program, presented by GEHA, it is fitting that we extend our efforts to Delaney’s hometown and the programs of the Delaney 37 Foundation that honor his memory,” said Art Nizza, DSW, GEHA President and CEO. “With swimming and aquatics water safety programs, we have an opportunity to conquer an unacceptable threat to underrepresented youth today and to address an injustice of the past.”
According to a 2017 USA Swimming Foundation study, 64% of Black children in the U.S. cannot swim and are six times more likely to drown than White children. This inequity became a reality for Kansas City, Kansas residents following the heartbreaking death of 13-year-old Emmanuel Solomon in July 2021.
GEHA and partners, YMCA of Greater Kansas City, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, KS Public Schools, felt the impact of this tragedy and worked to address the disparities in aquatic education by providing 200 students with swim lessons the following summer at Parkwood Pool, the only public pool in Kansas City, KS and site of the tragedy. In addition, GEHA employees provided necessary equipment including a swimsuit, towel and goggles, for each participating child in need.
Notably, all children significantly improved their swimming and safety abilities despite only 38% having ever been fully submerged in the water and only 8% having previously received lessons.
Inspired by that success, in October 2022, GEHA and The Hunt Family Foundation collaborated to provide an additional $50,000 in order to expand the program to more neighborhoods in the Kansas City area with similar aquatic safety risks.
Because of this support, 650 additional students will now receive swimming lessons and swimming equipment at five Kansas City metro locations, including the North Kansas City YMCA, the Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center, the Cleaver Family YMCA, the Kirk Family YMCA and the Parkwood Pool. This expanded program is now recognized as the Joe Delaney Learn to Swim Program, Presented by GEHA, where each student receives a swim towel bearing the Delaney tribute decal worn by the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1983 season.
“The work that the Joe Delaney Learn to Swim Program, presented by GEHA, has done in our community to address water safety and access is truly inspiring,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. “To be able to work alongside our partners at GEHA, as well as Joe’s family, to launch the program with the Delaney 37 Foundation in his hometown and the surrounding areas speaks to the commitment of GEHA and the Hunt Family Foundation and further honors Joe’s heroic actions.”
ABOUT GEHA
GEHA is a nonprofit member association that provides medical and dental benefits to more than 2 million federal employees and retirees, military retirees and their families. Offering one of the largest medical and dental benefit provider networks available to federal employees in the United States, GEHA empowers health and wellness by meeting its members where they are, when they need care. Headquartered in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, with approximately 1,600 employees, GEHA is committed to its members and their communities.
GEHA and its partners received an Outstanding Aquatic Branch Program Award from the Kansas Recreational and Parks Association. The award recognizes the impact of the 2022 Parkwood Pool Learn to Swim Program, a collaborative effort to provide children in one of the nation’s poorest ZIP codes with swimming lessons and equipment. In addition, GEHA has gained distinctive civic recognition by being named one of the top 100 Healthiest Workplaces in America, recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the 2023 Most Trustworthy Companies in America, ranked #55 on the Forbes 2023 America’s Best Midsize Employers list, 2022 Corporate Partner of the Year for the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the 2022 Nonprofit Champion of Diversity for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and, in 2022, GEHA signed the CEO Action Pledge, furthering its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Since 2021, GEHA has held exclusive naming rights to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs.
To learn more, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram, and visit www.geha.com.
ABOUT THE DELANEY 37 FOUNDATION
The Delaney 37 Foundation was created in the legacy of Joe Alton Delaney. The mission of the Delaney 37 Foundation is to serve the youth, striving to mentor, educate, promote leadership development, teach financial literacy and promote water safety. The Delaney 37 Foundation creates opportunities that will build strong moral character as the youth transform into contributing citizens in the community.
ABOUT THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS/HUNT FAMILY FOUNDATION
Founded as the Dallas Texans in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) by sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the franchise moved to Kansas City in 1963 and became known as the Kansas City Chiefs. The team currently competes in the West Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). Under the guidance of the Hunt Family and the leadership of Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, the mission of the Kansas City Chiefs is to Win with Character, Unite our Community, Inspire our Fans and Honor Tradition. The Hunt Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation committed to making a positive impact in the communities where the Chiefs live and work through philanthropy, programming and volunteerism. In order to maximize financial support, the Hunt Family Foundation gives priority to organizations that demonstrate a major programmatic focus and commitment to the service of children’s health and wellness, children and families in crisis, civic responsibility and the legacy of the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League.
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

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.
Manufacturer
JED Pool Tools Unveils 2027 Catalog

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.
Manufacturer
CCEI Introduces New Color for pH & ORP Controllers

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/cceipool_na/
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