Manufacturer
HornerXpress Worldwide Honored With The Prestigious 2024 President’s E Star Award For Excellence in Exporting

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.”
Manufacturer
Soake Pools Bolsters National Growth With Four Key Hires

New territory managers, production leadership, and operations support reinforce the plunge pool manufacturer’s white-glove service as demand grows across U.S. markets
Pembroke, N.H. — October 2026 — Soake Pools, the New England manufacturer that pioneered the made-to-order precast concrete plunge pool, has added four team members to support its growth into new regional markets. The hires span sales, production leadership, and operations, positioning the team to scale with rising national demand for its hand-tiled pools, without sacrificing service or quality.
New appointments include:
- Kerry Covington, Pacific Northwest Territory Manager—Based in Oregon, Covington is Soake Pools’ first territory manager to live and work in the Pacific Northwest, offering on-the-ground support. With more than a decade of experience in high-end remodeling and landscape design for luxury residential construction, he will help Pacific Northwest homeowners translate plunge pool concepts into thoughtfully planned additions tailored to their homes and landscapes.
- Brooke Fine, MA South Shore, Cape Cod & Islands Territory Manager—Also based in territory and a Soake Pools customer herself, Fine brings both local knowledge and firsthand experience with the brand to the role. With a personal understanding of how a Soake Pool can enhance wellness, relaxation and outdoor living, she will provide dedicated in-territory support to homeowners across the Massachusetts South Shore, Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
- Eric Bailey, General Manager—At the company’s Pembroke production facility, Bailey will oversee manufacturing with 22 years of precast concrete experience. As a born-and-raised New Hampshire resident with a career built on quality and customer service, Bailey embodies the values Soake Pools has built its reputation on.
- Katherine Fillon, Accounts Receivable—Lifelong New Englander Fillon rounds out the company’s administrative team, supporting a seamless experience between Soake Pools’ customers, partners and collaborators.
The news follows Soake Pools’ recognition as one of Business NH Magazine’s 2026 Best Companies to Work For in New Hampshire, where the company earned the No. 11 spot after a rigorous evaluation that included employer and team surveys, site visits, and employee focus groups. As it grows its team, the locally owned, family-run company stays anchored to the same standards that earned this honor.
About Soake Pools: Co-founded by Karen and Brian Larson in 2014, Soake® Pools disrupted the industry as the first company to offer hand-tiled precast concrete plunge pools for the home. Today, Soake Pools is the leading prefabricated plunge pool manufacturer in North America, designing luxury, space-saving pools for year-round use and enjoyment. At Soake Pool’s New England facility, its plunge pools are made to order in a controlled environment using proprietary concrete and state-of-the-art tile, continually setting the standard with new dimensions, luxury finishes, and innovations in quality control, safety and usability with impressive turnaround timelines. Fully customizable and delivered ready to install, each Soake Pool is equipped for hot dips in the winter and cooling soaks in the summer, with cold plunge and resistance system offerings that support athletic recovery and enhance at-home wellness routines. The monolithic concrete design offers accessibility in size and pricing, while saltwater filtration, low water usage, and variable speed pumps support sustainability, require less maintenance, and lower costs. Delivering backyard luxury retreats with demonstrated ROI in home value, Soake Pools offer countless physical and mental wellness benefits at a fraction of the footprint and expense of a traditional pool.
Manufacturer
CCEI Taps Benoit Masse for Sales

CCEI is pleased to announce Benoit Masse as the company’s new Sales Director for Canada. Masse has over 35 years of experience in the pool industry, including 20 years at Hayward, which has given him the opportunity to develop true expertise in everything from technical service, commercial pool construction, as well as a deep understanding of distribution.
“Benoit brings CCEI in-depth industry knowledge which will be tremendously important as he supports our customers and partners across Canada,” says Martin Grenier, VP of CCEI’s North American operations. Benoit can be reached at [email protected].
www.ccei-pool.com/us/
424-800-2191
Manufacturer
JED Pool Tools Offers New 14-Inch Pro Vacuum Head

JED Pool Tools, US manufacturer and distributor of swimming pool and spa maintenance equipment, offers a new Pro 14” Pool Vacuum with a swivel-plastic handle for cleaning both residential and commercial swimming pools. This vac head is heavy weight and designed to make it easy to clean corners and steps. Made to handle the cleaning of any size swimming pool with durable construction. Easily maneuverable vacuum head has 360-degree swivel connector that ends aggravating hose tangling. Adapted for both 1-1/2” and 1-1/4” hose sizes. Proudly made by JED in Pennsylvania, USA.
www.JEDPoolTools.com
570-344-4137
Old Forge, PA
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