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Daldorado Appoints Commercial Aquatic Industry Veteran, Guy Ledwell, as Vice President of Business Development

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NAPLES, FL — Daldorado, a premier manufacturer of commercial aquatic products, announced the appointment of Guy Ledwell as the company’s new Vice President of Business Development. Ledwell brings over three decades of specialized commercial aquatic experience to the role. He will work closely with Daldorado’s leadership team, including Rob Lawson, to accelerate the company’s market presence and strategic growth initiatives.

Ledwell joins Daldorado following a distinguished 21-year career at Pool Corp, the industry’s largest commercial distributor. During his tenure, he held several pivotal leadership positions, including Commercial Specialist, Division Sales Manager, Senior Manager of the Commercial Group, and Senior Manager of Strategic Growth.

Throughout his career, Ledwell has established a proven track record of designing and delivering large-scale commercial aquatic projects. As an executive leader, he consistently drove high-impact fiscal results, leading teams that achieved robust year-over-year growth and annual sales increases exceeding $9 million. Notably, Ledwell also conceptualized and established the industry’s first nationwide, commercial-dedicated stocking network, a groundbreaking initiative that significantly improved product availability and customer support across the country.

“Guy’s extensive background and deep technical understanding of commercial aquatics make him a perfect fit for our vision,” said Rob Lawson. “His ability to build long-standing relationships with the industry’s leading designers and builders, combined with his energetic leadership style, will be invaluable as we continue to scale our operations and deliver world-class solutions.”

In addition to his sales and operational expertise, Ledwell is recognized for leveraging technology to optimize corporate performance. He has successfully developed and implemented proprietary systems that streamline complex processes, maximize efficiency, and support scalable institutional growth. His leadership philosophy emphasizes practical, data-supported solutions that empower teams and elevate customer outcomes.

Ledwell is widely respected by colleagues and industry partners as a steady, honest, and highly collaborative executive who tackles complex challenges directly to achieve measurable results.

About Daldorado

Daldorado is a leading innovator and manufacturer of high-quality commercial aquatic drainage systems and perimeter grating solutions. Committed to safety, durability, and superior engineering, Daldorado serves major commercial aquatic facilities, waterparks, and competitive swimming venues globally.

Media Contact:

Rob Lawson

Daldorado

[email protected]

888-509-8128

www.Daldorado.com

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Alise Everton

Alise Everton has been working in the pool industry for the past decade and is an experienced press correspondent and contributor for numerous trade publications and web portals including PoolMagazine.com and PoolContractor.com among others. Contact her for guest posting opportunities, press releases, and pool equipment related news.

Press Releases

Soake Pools Launches Dual Pool Packages

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Soake Sanctuary Dual Pools Package featuring a 7x13 plunge pool and 7x7 hot tub connected by stone decking.

The New England Plunge Pool Pioneer Expands Its Offerings with Pool Pairings Designed for the Modern Outdoor Retreat

Pembroke, N.H. — September 2026  Soake Pools, the renowned New England-based plunge pool manufacturer, introduces its first Dual Pool packages, responding directly to the growing appetite for at-home wellness and outdoor spaces designed with the same intention as any room in the home.

The four made-to-order, pre-cast concrete Dual Pool pairings give homeowners and designers a clear starting point for a complete outdoor water experience. Each pairing was carefully designed around a different wellness ritual or activity circuit, from hot and cold contrast therapy to the natural progression of swimming, soaking, and recovery:

  • The Soake SanctuaryFull 7×13 Plunge + 7×7 Hot Tub—Swim, soak, and settle into a layered experience that moves from light activity to deep, restorative warmth. A complete escape at home.
  • Hot + Cold, Warm 7×13 Full Plunge + 4×4 Cold Plunge—A daily reset designed to energize and restore. Move from swim to cold immersion for a ritual that sharpens focus and leaves you completely recharged.
  • Contrast Therapy, 7×7 Hot tub + 4×4 Cold Plunge—Inspired by the boutique spa, this pairing brings the ease of a hot tub together with the invigorating clarity of cold immersion in a grounding ritual for everyday life.
  • Recovery Set, 4×4 + 4×4 Dual Plunge—Minimal in form and striking in presence, two cold plunges set side by side for shared ritual, athletic recovery, or repeated immersion.

“Soake Pools are personal, designed to reflect each homeowner and the way they live,” explains Soake Pools Co-Founder, Karen Larson. “The Dual Pool packages are all about year-round flexibility and adaptability, with different pairings designed to seamlessly complement almost any lifestyle and routine, from daily wellness and relaxation to athletic recovery.”

Each pool is custom-made with proprietary concrete for year-round use, hand-tiled by an in-house team of artisans, and shipped from Soake’s New Hampshire facility ready to install. 

Soake Pools have always been designed to give homeowners a place that feels entirely their own. Whether that means quiet solitude or entertaining, its latest offerings make each unique vision even more attainable.

To learn more about the new dual pool packages and in-house tile collection, please contact [email protected]. For more information about Soake Pools, please visit soakepools.com.

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.

Media Contact:
UpSpring
T: 646.722.8146
E: [email protected]

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Pool Builder

Ownership Group Acquires Shasta Pools, Announces Expansion Plans to Offer Complete Home Services

Dansons Capital Group, Accrual Equity Partners, and Hydro Construction purchased Arizona’s premier pool builder with eye on developing national brand

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Private Equity Group Buys Shasta Pools

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (August 31, 2026) – Dansons Capital Group, in partnership with Accrual Equity Partners (AEP) and Hydro Construction (HydroCon), completed the acquisition of Shasta Pools, Phoenix Metro’s most recognized pool builder, and announced an immediate expansion into the broader home services market with plans to grow the brand into a national powerhouse. Founded in 1966 by brothers Bob and Skip Ast, the third-generation, family-owned pool business has built or renovated more than 150,000 pools across Maricopa County and is among the country’s top premier pool builders. The acquisition, finalized August 6, positions the company with a competitive edge as it enters a new phase of accelerated growth

Building on Shasta’s track record of success, the ownership group will grow the company’s core business divisions, including residential and commercial pool construction and renovation, Shasta Signature Series luxury pool designs, backyard hardscaping solutions, extended warranties, and e-commerce supplies. The deal also directs new capital into Shasta’s high-volume, recurring pool maintenance business, establishing a scalable foundation for an expanded home services portfolio. 

Expanding the Home Services Model

Shasta Pools will also debut Shasta Home Services, the first step in the company’s expansion into a comprehensive home services platform. Shasta enters the space with more than 200,000 customer relationships, route density in Central Arizona, and a 60-year brand homeowners have entrusted with their homes. The company plans to aggressively expand the platform organically and through partnership across the essential services every home depends on.

In addition, work has begun on a new, state-of-the-art design center and headquarters in Scottsdale that will centralize operations and give customers a welcoming, creative atmosphere to reimagine their yards. The campus will also anchor a technology-driven contact center staffed by a world-class team that creates a single point of contact for every Shasta customer, from pool service to the company’s expanding home services platform.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values

Dansons Capital Group, a family business led by CEO Dan Thiessen, President Jeff Thiessen, and COO Jordan Thiessen, built and grew a portfolio of backyard-focused businesses including Pit Boss Grills, which they scaled into a worldwide brand before selling in June 2023. 

Jeff Thiessen sparked a relationship with the Ast family during the construction of his own backyard pool, a personal experience that gave him firsthand insight into the industry’s potential. Recognizing the Ast family’s shared values and significant opportunity with strategic investment, he partnered with AEP and HydroCon to pursue that growth together.

“Shasta Pools has national industry brand recognition and has been an Arizona legacy for the last 60 years and we’re excited to reinvest in the company and catapult its growth into the next 60 years,” said Jeff Thiessen, President, Dansons Capital Group. “We’ve already met with more than 200 employees to learn what they love about Shasta Pools and hear their ideas of how we can grow the company and continue providing our customers with amazing customer service.”

Dan Thiessen will serve as Chairman and lead the new ownership team to identify and hire top industry talent and grow Shasta’s home services platform to develop it into a national brand.  

Legacy Preserved, Future Secured

“This was the right time to bring in a new ownership team to take Shasta Pools to the next level and the next generation of growth,” said Skip Ast Jr., who served as president at Shasta Pools. “My father and my family built this company on a commitment to quality to every homeowner who trusted us with their backyard, their budget, and their own family. We’re confident that the new leadership team’s commitment to uphold that will never change. Knowing this team shares our values and will invest in our team gives Shasta Pools the foundation to grow stronger than ever.”

Ast helped build Shasta Pools to a dominant force in the industry, with multiple divisions topping $100 million in combined revenue. The company holds membership in the prestigious Master Pools Guild, one of only 110 members globally.

A Different Approach to Private Equity

“Partnering with Shasta Pools represents the future of home services. A trusted, generational brand, Shasta brings 200,000 loyal customer relationships with a genuine commitment to the people who serve them every day,” said Jacob Tilzer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Accrual Equity Partners. “Together with our partners at Dansons Capital Group and Hydro Construction, we all share a belief that enduring businesses are built on trust, earned one customer at a time. We’re proud to build alongside this team as Shasta grows into a nationwide home services brand.”

The new ownership group brings more than 150 years of combined expertise in building, scaling, and optimizing service industry brands. Each company shares a faith-based approach to business grounded in stewardship, integrity, and care for the communities they serve. Shasta Pools’ brand will continue its community programs, including swim lessons, support for foster care, and initiatives serving first responders. 

ABOUT DANSONS CAPITAL GROUP:

Dansons Capital Group, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a family-owned and family-managed investment firm built on shared values, integrity and long-term vision. The firm was established by the founders of Dansons, Inc., the company that launched and sold Pit Boss Grills. The company takes a hands-on approach, actively seeking opportunities across global markets and multiple asset classes. Its growing portfolio includes strategic real estate development holdings across multiple countries, oil drilling technologies, and limited partnership investments. Guided by a deep commitment to quality and the communities they serve, the Thiessen family leads with gratefulness for the blessings God has given them and in turn supports those less fortunate. Dansons Capital Group continues to identify and cultivate opportunities that reflect their family’s values and generational vision.

ABOUT ACCRUAL EQUITY PARTNERS:

Accrual Equity Partners (AEP) is a founder-led, privately funded private equity group built on the belief that every person, every percentage, and every product matters. This commitment, known as the “Power of One,” drives AEP’s mission to empower businesses and secure legacies across fragmented, service-based industries. AEP partners with founder-led and family-owned businesses to overcome barriers and unlock their full potential through strategic investment, operational performance enhancement, and advisory services. For more information, visit accrualequitypartners.com/

ABOUT SHASTA POOLS:

Shasta Pools is Arizona’s trusted name in custom pool building, proudly serving the Valley since 1966. For 60 years, Shasta has transformed backyards into beautiful, functional spaces where families relax, entertain and enjoy life. The company specializes in new pool construction, remodeling, pool service and landscape design with plans for expansion into the home services market to provide customers with complete home care solutions. Learn more at ShastaPools.com.

ABOUT HYDRO CONSTRUCTION:

Hydro Construction, LLC (HydroCon) was founded in 1986 to serve Arizona’s commercial pool construction and renovation market. Under the leadership of Curt Lonsdale, the company’s commercial pool construction division now manages some of the largest and most complex projects in the country.

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Manufacturer

JED Pool Tools Unveils 2027 Catalog

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JED Pool Tools 2027 Products Catalog

JED Pool Tools, manufacturer of swimming pool maintenance equipment and accessories, is pleased to announce the availability of its new, comprehensive 2027 catalog of products. This newly printed catalog offers 40 pages of color photography showing all of JED’s maintenance equipment products and accessories—from its award-winning hoses to its innovative, patented products like the FLAS ladder anchor saver! The catalog even highlights its many “Made in the USA” products including those manufactured at the JED facility in Pennsylvania. 

“We are pleased to offer the pool industry this printed catalog which can also be accessed online, 24/7 and showcases the many products we make at our facility or are made within the US,” says Rob Heyen, Account Executive at JED Pool Tools.

Those interested in downloading or ordering the catalog, should visit:
www.JEDPoolTools.com
570-344-4137

About JED Pool Tools
JED Pool Tools has been making high-quality pool tools and pool accessories in the USA for over 30 years. JED Pool Tools sells over 400 different products including residential and commercial skimmers, leaf rakes, poles, wall brushes and vacuum heads as well as hoses and through-wall skimmer parts. JED is a family-run company with 3-generations of Heyen family working for the company and is committed to creating and providing jobs for residents of Scranton, PA. JED is proud of and committed to manufacturing in the USA, many it its own facility in Scranton, PA. To learn more about the company and its products visit www.JEDPoolTools.com.

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