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Blackford Capital portfolio company Aqua Leisure Announces Retail and Private Equity Veteran Peter Delahunt as CFO

Delahunt brings extensive experience overseeing rapid growth of prominent, national luxury retail brands to Aqua Leisure

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Aqua Leisure

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Blackford Capital portfolio company Aqua Leisure, a company that designs, distributes and develops products for swimming and recreational water activities, announced today that Peter Delahunt has been appointed chief financial officer, effective immediately. Delahunt brings strong financial, strategic, and operational capabilities to Aqua Leisure, and over 20 years of executive experience at companies with both private equity and publicly traded ownership structures.

Delahunt, 58, will report to CEO Steve Berenson and will work with the management team as well as a board of directors that has been expanded by Blackford Capital to help steer Aqua Leisure through a strategic growth plan.

“Peter stood out to the Aqua Leisure team as a highly talented and experienced consumer-products executive with considerable private equity knowledge,” said Martin Stein, founder and managing director of Blackford Capital and Chairman of the Aqua Leisure board. “He is the perfect person to guide the team as we enter the next chapter of our ownership, developing the infrastructure to position the business for the future.”

Throughout his career, Delahunt has demonstrated an ability to execute both corporate restructurings and rapid expansion strategies. At KT Tape, the largest manufacturer of kinesiology tape, he quadrupled revenue and improved profit margins as he oversaw a transition from a founder-led, cash-rich company into company with far better financial and operational controls. Delahunt also has experience improving financial performance at retail brands including ChicosJ. Jill and Talbots, Inc.

Aqua Leisure, has been in the business of developing, designing, and distributing consumer products that make swimming, diving, and playing in water fun for over 50 years. The company’s products include aqua lounges, Dolfino and Aqua Swim & Dive swim gear, and aquatic games. Blackford Capital acquired Aqua Leisure in January 2021 with the goal of diversifying its customer base, expanding its product portfolio and elevating its brand awareness.

Peter Delahunt joins Aqua Leisure as new chief financial officer.

“There were a number of factors that brought me to Aqua Leisure, but more than anything else, I wanted a new adventure, a new challenge,” Delahunt said. “Throughout my career, I have had the good fortune of being a part of a number of dynamic teams that achieved some truly great things. But if we come even remotely close to the long-term, strategic goals that we have identified for Aqua Leisure, I am confident that this could be the greatest personal and team achievement of my career.”

About Aqua Leisure
Avon, Mass.-based Aqua Leisure was founded in 1970 and is one of the largest designers and distributors of high quality, performance-based aquatic products, and pool accessories under a variety of brand names and proprietary designs, including swim goggles, “Learn to Swim” products and pool floats. For more information, visit https://www.aqualeisure.com/.

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 eleven 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.

Contact:  
Brent Snavely
Lambert & Co.
(313) 378-6082
[email protected]

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Marianne Trusty is a Press Correspondent for the pool & spa industry. A published author and social media influencer reaching over 20 million people around the world each day. Contact Marianne about publishing op-editorials, breaking pool news and press releases at [email protected].

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Manufacturer

Pentair Pool Opens Charlotte Flagship Customer Experience Center

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Pentair Pool has opened a new, industry-leading Customer Experience Center in Charlotte,
establishing the region as a flagship Commercial Hub for the company and reinforcing its continued investment in North Carolina and the broader Southeast. The Southeast represents a strong growth market for the pool industry, and the Charlotte location positions Pentair Pool closer to pool professionals, dealers, and distributor partners it serves — enabling more hands-on training, service, and product testing in a region where demand is strong.

Designed specifically for Pentair Pool customers and partners, the Charlotte Customer Experience Center features full product displays, immersive Pentair University training environments, and a dedicated workspace for Pentair Pool’s commercial teams. The facility was developed to support hands-on learning, collaboration, and real-world application—serving as both a customer destination and an operational hub.

Greg Claffey, SVP and President, Pentair Pool commented on his excitement about the Commercial Center of Excellence, “At Pentair Pool, we are dedicated to delivering quality, innovative pool solutions and a great customer experience. We look forward to welcoming customers to our Customer Experience Center in Charlotte. Together with the Pentair Pool University training center, this immersive space has been thoughtfully curated for to provide customers with a central location to meet with our leadership team, and where they can participate in immersive, impactful, hands-on training and experiences – bringing Pentair Pool’s innovations to life, all in one place.”

The Charlotte location strengthens Pentair Pool’s growing presence across North Carolina, building on its innovation hub in Apex and manufacturing operations in Sanford, expanding its Pentair Pool employee footprint across the Triangle. Together, these sites house Pentair Pool leadership, product development, manufacturing, and customer engagement while positioning the company closer to key commercial and distribution markets.

Claffey continued, “The Charlotte community has long stood at the intersection of industry
excellence and exceptional talent, and we look forward to providing our customers and employees with a place for learning, collaboration, and ideation.”

The facility supports expanded training opportunities, service engagement, and product testing, reinforcing Pentair Pool’s commitment to helping its partners operate more efficiently and effectively in the field.

About Pentair Pool
At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From 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 technologies that help customers enjoy a smarter and more efficient pool. Customer success is central to our vision—bringing family and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and promote fitness and enjoyment.

For more information, visit pentair.com/pool and follow Pentair Pool on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact:
Deborah Foley
PR Consultant for Pentair Pool
[email protected]

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Manufacturer

Pentair Announces Leadership Transition for Pentair Pool

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Pentair Announces Leadership Transition for Pentair Pool

Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR), a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water life’s most essential resource, today announced that Jerome Pedretti, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool, will depart the Company effective July 1, 2026. Pedretti concludes a distinguished career with Pentair spanning more than 20 years.

In connection with Pedretti’s departure, Pentair is eliminating the Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool role. De’Mon Wiggins, current EVP and President, Pentair Flow and Pentair Water Solutions, will assume responsibility for the Pool segment as EVP and President, Pentair Flow, Water Solutions and Pool, effective April 28, 2026. Pedretti will remain with Pentair through his departure date to support an orderly transition.

“Over more than two decades with Pentair, Jerome has made a significant and lasting impact on our Pool and Flow businesses through his leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment to our customers and our culture,” said John Stauch, Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are truly grateful for Jerome’s many contributions and for his thoughtful partnership in supporting a smooth transition. With De’Mon’s strong track record of execution and strategic leadership, I am confident in the continued momentum of our Pool business and excited about the opportunities ahead.”

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words “targets,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “likely,” “may,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “positioned,” “strategy,” or “future” or words, phrases, or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall global economic and business conditions impacting our business, including the strength of housing and related markets and conditions relating to international hostilities; supply, demand, logistics, competition and pricing pressures related to and in the markets we serve; the ability to achieve the benefits of our restructuring plans, cost reduction initiatives and Transformation Program; the impact of raw material, logistics and labor costs and other inflation; volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates; failure of markets to accept new product introductions and enhancements; the ability to successfully identify, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions; risks associated with operating foreign businesses; the impact of seasonality of sales and weather conditions; our ability to comply with laws and regulations; the impact of changes in laws, regulations and administrative policy, including those that limit U.S. tax benefits or impact trade agreements and tariffs; the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings; and the ability to achieve our long-term strategic operating and sustainability goals and targets. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. All forward-looking statements, including all financial forecasts, speak only as of the date of this release. Pentair assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update the information contained in this release.

ABOUT PENTAIR PLC

At Pentair, we help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions, to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is a core large cap value S&P 500 equity stock focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

Pentair had revenue in 2025 of approximately $4.2 billion, and trades under the ticker symbol PNR. With approximately 9,000 global employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, we work to help improve lives and the environment around the world. To learn more, visit www.pentair.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:

Shelly Hubbard
Vice President, Investor Relations
Direct: 612-812-0148
Email: [email protected]

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Landmark Aquatic Integrates Splashtacular’s SlipStream® Water Slide for Aquatic Facilities

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Landmark Aquatic is proud to partner with Splashtacular to offer the SlipStream® water slide for new construction and aquatic facility renovations. Unlike any ride on the market, the SlipStream delivers the sensation of waterskiing — riders take a running start, grab the side rails, and glide down on their heels, controlling their own speed. It’s the perfect attraction for older teens and adults seeking thrills without getting soaked. Through its partnership with Splashtacular, Landmark Aquatic brings a full range of fiberglass waterslides to community pools, parks and recreation facilities, luxury resorts, and beyond — combining Landmark’s expertise in design, construction, renovation, and service to create exciting aquatic experiences for all ages. 

About Splashtacular

Splashtacular designs, manufactures, and installs custom water slides, aquatic play structures, and spray features for water parks, resorts, and aquatic facilities. Their Restoration & Maintenance department offers slide restoration, feature upgrades, and a “Keep It New” maintenance program, ensuring longevity and performance for their innovative, high-quality aquatic attractions.

About Landmark  

Landmark Aquatic is a premier provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance, with more than six decades of industry leadership. Serving clients nationwide, Landmark delivers construction-led solutions supported by its CPO-certified AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions. 

Direct link: 

https://landmarkaquatic.com/products-aquatic-play-water-slide-systems

More information contact: 

[email protected] 

1-888-871-2887

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