(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 PHTA Chairman’s Award. This is a new award developed by PHTA Chairman Charlie Claffey and the PHTA Board of Directors. The winners were honored during the Keynote Presentation at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, co-located with Deck Expo (PSP/Deck Expo) on November 15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Chairman’s Award is given to individuals who are leading the way and making amazing contributions to the pool, spa, and hot tub industry as a whole. The award also recognizes the companies who employ the winners, for supporting them in their leadership roles.

The awards were presented jointly by Claffey and PHTA Board Chair-Elect Joseph Laurino, Ph.D.

This year’s Chairman’s Award winners are:

• Steve Barnes, former Co-Chair of the PHTA Technical Committee and current Chair of the PHTA Standards Policy Committee, and employer Olaf Mjelde, Owner of AquaStar Pool Products.
• Jim Egan, Chair of the PHTA Editorial Review Committee and Member of the PHTA Recreational Water & Air Quality Committee (RWAQC), and employer Scott Amsbaugh, President and CEO of LaMotte.
• Ken Gregory, former Co-Chair of the PHTA Technical Committee, and employer Tony Gonzales, Engineer Services Manager at Pentair.
• Jody O’Grady, Chair of the RWAQC, and employers Andrea Chaney, Brand Development Manager, and Wade Beebe, Vice President and General Manager of Taylor Water Technologies LLC.

“PHTA’s mission is to educate, advocate, and elevate. The four inaugural recipients of the Chairman’s Award truly embody that mission through their active participation in the industry standards development process,” says Claffey, President of Claffey Pools. “Their dedication, commitment, and countless hours put into volunteering and making a positive impact deserve recognition and commendation from the industry as a whole. Congratulations to Steve, Jim, Ken, and Jody!”

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.

Kelli Clancy to pursue continuing education in pool building and design

(Alexandria, VA) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) has awarded the 2022 Greg Garrett Scholarship Award to Kelli Clancy, Owner of Legacy Pool & Spa. The winner was announced during the PHTA Awards of Excellence Reception at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, co-located with Deck Expo (PSP/Deck Expo) on November 14, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.

Given in the memory of Greg Garrett, who dedicated 45 years to the pool and hot tub industry and served in many leadership roles, this $5,000 scholarship is given to a PHTA member in the builder or service sector for PHTA educational or certification fees to increase professionalism and provide an opportunity for continuing education. The Greg Garrett Scholarship Award was newly developed this year by the PHTA Recreational Water & Air Quality Committee (RWAQC).

Clancy’s application stood out to the judges because of her commitment to the industry. She has volunteered much of her time to help others move their way up and expand their knowledge. In 2020, Clancy co-founded Pool Girl Pro Industry Trainings, which hosts educational training and networking opportunities for women in the pool and hot tub industry. Clancy has always been focused on continuing education and professional certifications and earned both her Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) and Certified Pool & Spa Inspector (CPI) certifications through PHTA.

With the Greg Garrett Scholarship, Clancy is excited to move into the building and design sector by taking GENESIS® courses and earning additional certifications through the Certified Pool Builder & Design Professional Pathway.

“I look at education in this industry as ongoing, and I also believe in taking advantage of opportunities and living a life free of ‘what ifs.’ When I saw that PHTA had opened its application process for the Greg Garrett Scholarship Award, it was a no-brainer,” says Clancy. “My personal and professional convictions were standing on my shoulders, shouting, ‘Go for it!’ into my ears. I am so glad that I did.”

For more information about the Greg Garrett Scholarship Award, please visit https://phta.org/garrett-award or 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.

About PHTA’s Recreational Water & Air Quality Committee (RWAQC)
PHTA’s RWAQC develops and maintains verifiable science-based information regarding sanitization technology and chemical products for use in pools, spas, and hot tubs. The committee also helps develop the chemical and sanitation sections for American National Standards Institute (ANSI) PHTA standards, including the ANSI/APSP/ICC-11 Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas. For a current listing of Committee members or more information, email Genevieve Lynn in the PHTA Standards Department at [email protected].

PHTA also announces board members for 2023

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is pleased to announce that Charlie Claffey has been appointed to Chairman of the Board for 2023. Claffey is President of Claffey Pools in Southlake, Texas, which has been in business for over 35 years.

Claffey has taken an active leadership role in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry for many years. Within 10 years of taking over Claffey Pools, he was able to quadruple the number of pools the company built in a year, and has led Claffey Pools to consistently be named one of the top builders in the country. PHTA feels privileged to have a passionate leader with a strong vision take the helm.

PHTA is also pleased to announce its board members for 2023:

• Chair Elect: Joe Laurino, Ph.D., Periodic Products, Inc.
• Secretary: Keith Harbeck, Premier Pools and Spas, Inc.
• Treasurer: Scott Frost, Fluidra
• Immediate Past Chairman: Andy Levinson, PoolCorp

PHTA’s Board Members at Large include:

• Bob Blanda, Mill Bergen Pools
• Caley Gibbs, Gib-San Pool & Landscape Creations
• Tracine Marroquin, Jacuzzi Group
• Matt McDermott, Heritage Pool Supply Group
• Albert Miller, Hayward
• Kevin Post, Counsilman-Hunsaker

“The 2023 PHTA Board of Directors is comprised of amazing individuals who care deeply about the pool, spa, and hot tub industry,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “I know they will steer our association—and our industry—in the right direction this coming year, and help us develop even more valuable resources for our members. Congratulations to all of our new board members!”

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.