Left to right: Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, Diane Farrel with HornerXpress Worldwide Vice President, Linda Carroll

WASHINGTON D.C. – May 14, 2024 – HornerXpress Worldwide, a leader in the global distribution of swimming pool supplies and equipment based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2024 President’s “E Star” Award.

This esteemed recognition is bestowed only upon companies who have previously been awarded the President’s “E” Award, and then further demonstrates a sustained increase in export sales over a four-year period.

The President’s “E” Award was created in 1961 by Executive Order of the President, to recognize the individuals, firms, or organizations which contribute significantly in the effort to increase United States exports. Winning the “E Star” Award highlights HornerXpress Worldwide’s continued performance and leadership in international trade, marking the company as a standard-bearer within the industry.

“HornerXpress Worldwide has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards Committee recognizes HornerXpress Worldwide’s significant export growth since receiving the President’s “E” Award for Exports in 2016. The company’s innovative and market driven sales and distribution channels were also notable,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in her congratulatory letter to the company.

A Continued Commitment to Excellence

HornerXpress Worldwide’s decades of commitment to excellence and innovation in exporting has distinguished it as an industry frontrunner.

Since its previous recognition with the President’s “E” Award, HornerXpress Worldwide has expanded its reach, scaled operations, and entered new international markets, thereby driving significant growth in export sales.

This award is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of the HornerXpress Worldwide team, whose dedication to customer service and operational excellence remains unparalleled.

“Our team is honored to receive the President’s “E Star” Award as a validation of our hard work and dedication to not just meeting, but exceeding, the benchmarks set in international trade,” said Linda Carroll, Vice President of HornerXpress Worldwide. “We’re thankful for all of our customers, partners and colleagues who have contributed to our success. This award is not just a milestone but a motivator for us to continue innovating and leading in the industry.”

The new partnership celebrates shared values of inclusion, equity, wellness, and community

May 17, 2024 – LONDON-(BUSINESS WIRE)– Pentair Pool, a leading global provider of smart, sustainable pool solutions today announced that it has committed as a partner of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The partnership unites Pentair Pool’s purpose to create a better world for people and the planet through smart, sustainable pool solutions with the Special Olympics USA Games’ mission of inclusion and empowerment.

“At Pentair, we believe in creating a better future for the communities in which we live and work. Our commitment to and partnership with the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games directly aligns with our purpose, especially as it relates to swimming and water sports,” said Jerome Pedretti, executive vice president and CEO for Pentair Pool. “We are inspired by each of the athlete’s dedication, and we are honored to be a part of this momentous event. Our team of employees are eager to dive in to help foster a brighter, more inclusive future through support and volunteer opportunities.”

Pentair Pool joins a growing list of USA Games partners in a national celebration of inclusivity set to take place in Minnesota in June 2026. As part of the company’s sponsorship, Pentair Pool and its employees will be integrated into key Games events and initiatives.

“We are thrilled to welcome Pentair Pool as a partner of the USA Games,” said Christy Sovereign, CEO, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. “Pentair’s commitment to empowering communities reflects our own mission of inclusion and excellence. Together, we are united for the creation of a lasting legacy for Minnesota and the entire nation, celebrating the power of human potential.”

The 2026 the Special Olympics USA Games will bring together over 100,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers and fans from across the United States. Pentair Pool is especially proud to champion the Games so close to National Learn to Swim Day, a time of year that encourages safe pool practices and swimming education.

About Pentair Pool

Pentair Pool is a Pentair plc business. At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation, lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for a splash-tastic future bringing family and friends together to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit www.pentair.com/poolandspa.

About Special Olympics USA Games

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games—scheduled for June 20-26, 2026, across Minnesota’s Twin Cities with sports competitions at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine—is a national celebration of inclusivity, changing perceptions and the ability of the human spirit rising above limitations. The USA Games will be one of the biggest U.S. sporting events of the year, drawing tens of thousands of fans to celebrate the ability of approximately 4,000 incredible athletes from all 50 states as they compete in approximately 19 Olympic-type team and individual sports. As a state with a long history of championing diversity, equity and inclusion, the USA Games now bring an unrivaled opportunity for Minnesotans to spark new energy around the Special Olympics movement and create a lasting legacy of positive change.

(Tustin, CA – May 16, 2024) – In response to the CDC’s recently released Vital Signs report, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) remains active in addressing childhood drowning, working year-round to arm parents and communities with life-saving tools and resources while continuing to advocate the importance of the five layers of protection.

On May 14, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its report Vital Signs: Drowning Death Rates, Self-Reported Swimming Skill, Swimming Lesson Participation, and Recreational Water Exposure for the period 2019-2022. The report revealed that unintentional drowning deaths were significantly higher during 2020, 2021 and 2022 compared with those in 2019. Among the most alarming findings was the rise in drowning rates among children aged 1-4 which increased 28% in 2022 (compared with 2019); and the increases among Black and Hispanic persons across all ages, which rose by 28% (2021 vs. 2019) and 24% (2022 vs. 2019), respectively.

The release of CDC’s Vital Signs coincides with the continuous reports of drowning incidents nationwide during the first half of 2024, with some states reporting both fatal and non-fatal drownings at record levels.

“Of the many misperceptions about drowning, perhaps the most important to dispel, particularly as it relates to children, is that one strategy for prevention is enough,” said Adam Katchmarchi, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, NDPA. “It’s imperative that parents and caregivers practice multiple layers of protection because we know any one of them can fail at any time.”

NDPA encourages parents and caregivers to practice the Five Layers of Protection whenever a child is near open water to prevent a drowning incident. These include:

1. Barriers and Alarms – to prevent children from gaining access to a pool or open water unsupervised.
2. Supervision – close, constant, and capable adult supervision any time children are in or around water.
3. Water Competency – basic water safety skills can help reduce the risk of drowning and aquatic-related injuries.
4. Life Jackets (tested and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard) – to provide protection in and around open water.
5. Emergency Response Preparedness – including CPR training with rescue breaths and having a phone nearby to call 911.

The CDC report also found that an estimated 40 million U.S. adults reported not knowing how to swim. Thus, NDPA is putting extra emphasis this summer on water competency with its summer-long #FirstSport campaign to change the trajectory for the next generation. The #FirstSport campaign includes a public service video (click here to view/download) which launched on May 1 and has been shared across social media by parents, advocates, athletes and celebrities alike. In addition to the Five Layers of Protection, the video encourages parents to make swimming the #FirstSport they teach their child, because it is the only sport that provides kids with life-saving skills. Non-swimming parents are also encouraged to gain basic water survival skills to better protect themselves and their children.

To date, NDPA’s efforts to educate parents and the public at large have been gaining traction in actioning parents around childhood drowning prevention. In two weeks, the #FirstSport video has received more than one million views on social media, while NDPA’s water safety tool kits, checklists, and online resources have received close to 20,000 downloads since January 2023.

“Too many of our children are lost to drowning each year, but we need to keep in mind that drowning is accidental and can be prevented,” said Adam Katchmarchi, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, National Drowning Prevention Alliance. “We invite the public at large to join us in protecting kids from drowning by watching and sharing the #FirstSport video, becoming water competent themselves, and always practicing the Five Layers of Protection. By adopting the Five Layers of Protection when enjoying a backyard pool, at the beach, or when a child is exposed to open water, parents have the power to prevent drowning.”

According to the CDC, drowning remains the leading cause of death among children aged 1-4. Data also shows that 69% of drowning incidents involving young children occur during non-swim times when a child is drawn back to the water and there are no barriers or adults present, and that teaching a child water competency can help reduce the chances of drowning by as much as 88%.