Press Releases
Aqua-Leisure Recreation Acquires INYO Pool Products

AVON, MA, and LONGWOOD, FL, April 6, 2022 – Aqua-Leisure Recreation, LLC, (“Aqua-Leisure”) the premier market leader in the aquatics consumer product industry, announced today the acquisition of Longwood, Florida-based INYO Pool Products, LLC, (“INYO” or “INYO Pool”). INYO Pool is the leading direct-to-consumer brand of swimming pool supply, repair and maintenance products, offering best-in-class “How To” content and consumer engagement with over 21 million views annually on YouTube over the past decade and serving more than 100,000 pool owners annually.
- INYO Pool Products is the second add-on acquisition for Aqua-Leisure under Blackford Capital ownership in under 15 months
- INYO Pool Products expand the Aqua-Leisure brand family to include market-leading, direct-to-consumer products for do-it-yourself pool repair and maintenance
- Less than four months after Aqua-Leisure acquired Airhead Sports Group, the addition of INYO Pools demonstrates Blackford Capital’s strategy to transform Aqua-Leisure into the dominant omni-channel market leader for aquatic recreational and maintenance products
The acquisition of INYO Pool significantly enhances Aqua-Leisure’s industry-leading aquatic recreational brands which include Airhead, Aqua, Dolfino, Sportsstuff, SwimSchool and Yukon Charlie’s to offer consumers an extensive line of pool maintenance and repair products, including INYO’s Pureline family of products, expanding the platform growth strategy by increasing omni-channel distribution and sales and new cross-selling opportunities.
“We welcome the INYO team to Aqua-Leisure and believe we will have significant synergies with the INYO family of brands,” said Steve Berenson, CEO, Aqua-Leisure. “By applying our significant global sourcing efficiencies to INYO, we expect an accelerated level of margins and value creation. Having just passed the first 100 days since we acquired Airhead, the #1 brand in the marine towable watersports and winter leisure products, we are pleased at how well the integration process has gone. We’ve seen tremendous success across our management, product, finance, sales, operations and sourcing teams and anticipate similar results with our consolidation of INYO into the Aqua Leisure family.”
The INYO acquisition is the second add-on acquisition for Aqua-Leisure since Blackford Capital acquired the company in January 2021 and comes just 4 months after Aqua-Leisure acquired Airhead Sports Group. Under Blackford’s ownership, Aqua-Leisure continues to execute a long-term growth strategy which is focused on delivering strong revenue and EBITDA in both e-commerce and traditional retail channels.
“The anticipated synergies from the recent acquisition of Airhead have quickly come to fruition for the combined Aqua-Airhead team, with enhanced scale, brand value and e-commerce offerings,” said Martin Stein, founder and Managing Director at Blackford Capital. “Now, with the addition of INYO Pool Products, Aqua-Leisure gains an expanded product portfolio, enhanced channel expansion capability, platform cross-selling opportunities and increased sourcing efficiencies.”
Effective with this acquisition, John Paroline will become President and General Manager for INYO Pool reporting to Leland Nichols, Aqua-Leisure’s Chief Operating Officer. INYO co-founder Patrick Paroline will continue with the company as the Director of Strategy and New Products focused on the continued expansion of the Pureline brand across additional product segments. All day-to-day operations at INYO Pool’s Longwood facility and the company’s commitment to its customers will remain unchanged.
“It has been a wonderful adventure to work alongside my brother Patrick and best friend for the past 15 years, building INYO into the preferred brand for do-it-yourself swimming pool repair and maintenance,” said Paroline. “As part of the Aqua-Leisure portfolio of brands I know we will continue to grow, reaching new customers through new channels while capitalizing on sourcing and distribution synergies that will allow us to continue providing our users with the knowledge, products and empowerment they need to get the most out of their swimming pools.”
Orchard MB served as exclusive financial advisor and Burr & Forman served as legal advisor to INYO. Varnum LLP served as legal advisor and Grant Thornton served as the financial and tax advisor to Blackford. Key Bank provided debt financing and Muzinich & Co. and Capital Dynamics provided debt and equity financing in support of the transaction.
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About Aqua-Leisure
Founded in 1970, Aqua-Leisure Recreation, LLC. is dedicated to designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing high quality, performance-based aquatic products, and pool accessories under a variety of brand names and proprietary designs including Aqua Pro, Aqua, Aqua Fitness, Dolfino, SwimSchool, Airhead, Sportsstuff and Yukon Charlies. Aqua-Leisure’s brand pillars of quality, accessibility and adventure push its goal of providing top-tier products for athletes, water lovers, snow lovers, adventure seekers, children and more. For more information, visit aqualeisure.com.
About INYO Pool Products, LLC
Founded in 2001, INYO Pool Products, LLC was the brainchild of friends Patrick Paroline and Danny Rhodehamel. The inspiration for the company was hatched while the friends were backpacking in the Inyo National Forest in California. Grown for 21 years on a singular philosophy of delivering the knowledge and affordable products consumers need, when they need them, to properly care for their swimming pools, INYO Pool Products is the market leader in direct-to-consumer supply of products for do-it-yourself pool maintenance and repair. Pool products include a range of pumps, filters, heaters, lighting, motors, chemicals, salt systems, replacement parts, cleaners, covers, cartridges, values, and more.
About Blackford Capital
Founded in 2010, Blackford Capital is a private equity investment firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Blackford Capital makes majority control investments in founder- and family-owned, lower middle-market manufacturing, industrial and distribution companies. Currently, Blackford Capital has twelve portfolio companies. Blackford and their team members have received a number of recognitions over the past several years, including M&A Adviser Private Equity Firm of the year, Corp. Magazine Small Company of the Year (Michigan), GR Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year (West Michigan), numerous recognitions on the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies list and M&A Adviser Private Equity Professional of the Year (Martin Stein). For more information, visit www.blackfordcapital.com.
Manufacturer
Clear Blue Water Tech, UAG Team Up on Affinity Pool

Syracuse, NY — 07/03/25 — James Melnicoff, President of Clear Blue Water Tech, is pleased to announce a new partnership with United Aqua Group (UAG), one of the most respected buying groups in the pool and spa industry. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, UAG has been transforming how pool and spa professionals purchase products and services since its founding in 1963.
“At United Aqua Group, we’re always looking for vendor partners who share our commitment to quality, innovation, and member success,” said Craig Goodson, President of United Aqua Group. “Clear Blue Water Tech brings a strong reputation and a robust line of products that will enhance the value we deliver to our members. We’re excited to welcome them to the UAG family.”
Through this partnership, Clear Blue Water Tech will offer its Affinity-branded line of pool and specialty chemical products to UAG members across the country. The product line includes liquid pool stabilizer, liquid clarifiers, pod clarifiers, liquid phosphate removers, phosphate remover tablets, flocculants, enzymes, solar treatments, spa products and more—all designed to deliver exceptional value, trusted quality, and fast shipping.
“We are honored to be selected as a vendor to such a well-established and forward-thinking organization,” said Melnicoff. “Our team is committed to providing UAG members with innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions for their pool and spa chemical needs.”
For more information about Clear Blue Water Tech or the Affinity product line, visit clearbluewatertech.com or contact us at [email protected].
To learn more about United Aqua Group and the benefits of membership, go to unitedaquagroup.com or email [email protected] for more information.
Pool News
Dr. Adam Katchmarchi Joins PHTA as VP of Educational Development

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is pleased to announce that Dr. Adam Katchmarchi (Ph.D.) has joined the organization as Vice President of Educational Development. Dr. Katchmarchi begins his role effective July 1, 2025.
As Vice President of Educational Development, Dr. Katchmarchi will collaborate closely with PHTA staff, partners, and industry professionals to enhance and expand PHTA’s educational programming. His primary responsibilities will include developing innovative courses and trainings, elevating the quality and accessibility of educational content, and fostering strategic partnerships aimed at enriching industry-wide professional development. He will coordinate closely with Jeanne Mendelson, Vice President of Educational Operations & Sales, to lead PHTA educational programs and services.
“I am extremely honored and excited to join the incredible team at the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance in this role,” says Dr. Katchmarchi. “I look forward to leveraging my background in aquatics education and water safety advocacy to support PHTA’s mission. Together, we will deliver high-caliber, impactful educational opportunities that help our members thrive professionally and enhance industry standards.”
Dr. Katchmarchi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new position. Prior to joining PHTA, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), where he successfully implemented national initiatives focused on water safety awareness and drowning prevention. His leadership facilitated transformative partnerships across the public and private sectors, significantly advancing water safety education.
In addition to his executive experience, Dr. Katchmarchi was a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Allied and Public Health at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), a position he held from 2014 to 2025. An accomplished educator and researcher, Dr. Katchmarchi has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and frequently presents at both national and international conferences.
Dr. Katchmarchi earned his Ph.D. in Coaching and Teaching Studies from West Virginia University, with research specializing in water safety education. He also holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Slippery Rock University, both with focuses on aquatics and aquatic safety.
“Dr. Katchmarchi is an exceptional addition to our leadership team,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President & CEO of PHTA. “His distinguished career and dedication to aquatic safety, education, and advocacy make him ideally suited to elevate PHTA’s educational initiatives. We are excited about the impact he will have on our members and the industry as a whole.”
For more information, please contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Director of Content and Communications, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083, ext. 121.
About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding 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.
Manufacturer
CCEI Taps Martin Grenier to Head North American Operations

CCEI, is pleased to announce the hiring of Martin Grenier to head their North American operations. Martin has over 10 years of experience in the swimming pool industry having worked for Hayward for over 7 years plus other positions in both retail and distribution. CCEI is a manufacturer of automation and controller systems in the US as well as lighting systems in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Africa with its head office located in France.
Martin is now responsible for operations and sales for both the company’s US and Canadian markets and is also charged with raising brand and product awareness of CCEI’s products throughout the North American pool industry. “As an established supplier in Europe, we are focused on raising awareness of our products and services with pool builders, retailers and distributors, while also working to form strategic partnerships in the US and Canada,” says Grenier. A native of Canada, Martin is also fluent in English and French. “Martin has already made a significant impact in the Canadian swimming pool market and we are confident CCEI will continue to experience exponential growth in sales of our products in both the US and Canadian markets,” says Sébastian Chéreau, Head of CCEI’s Global Marketing. “We are pleased to have Martin join our team and share his expertise with our company as he helps align our marketing strategies and goals across all branches of CCEI around the world,” says Sébastien Chéreau, Marketing Director for CCEI.
Since 1973, CCEI has been designing and manufacturing electrical equipment for private and public pools. Over the years, we have acquired in-depth experience with pools and their specific constraints. Starting as a manufacturer specialized in electrical boxes, CCEI has expanded to different areas, including automatic water treatment and lighting for pools.
CCEI’s technical team has also grown and now has a team with recognized skills in electronics, optics and electrochemistry. With this knowledge, CCEI is now able to provide global, adapted solutions to pool builders and industries and enhance the safety, ergonomics and reliability of pool facilities.
Martin can be reached at the company’s offices in Montreal at: [email protected].
More information about the company’s US operations can be found at:
www.ccei-pool.com/us/
CCEI USA Inc., Inglewood, CA 90301
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