Press Releases
Deckorators® Invests in Contractor Program with JobTread Partnership

Business Management Platform Supports Contractors
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 27, 2022 – Deckorators®, a leading brand of UFP Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI), has partnered with JobTread Software to provide their contractor program best-in-class business management support. This partnership demonstrates Deckorators’ continued commitment to supporting and growing its team of Certified Pros.
With JobTread, Certified Pros will gain seamless access to Deckorators’ full product catalog along with pre-configured best practices, templates, and industry-leading project management tools designed for, and by, deck builders.
Deckorators selected key brand ambassadors to collaborate with JobTread to optimize the management of a deck building business. These insights make the platform uniquely tailored to the outdoor living and deck building markets which rely heavily on economic forecasting and agile responsiveness for success.
“Our goal is to develop a world-class program to help our Deckorators Certified Pros grow their business,” said Nick Larr, Deckorators National Contractor Development Manager. “Job Tread’s product is an end-to-end business management software complete with estimating, job costing, invoicing, scheduling, and a CRM that fits perfectly with our goals for the contractor program.”
Supported by a culture of partnership and family, Deckorators has a growing roster of Certified Pros across the U.S. and Canada. The program features detailed training, workshops, lead generation, marketing collaboration, and Certified Pro Spotlights that live on the Deckorators website.
Deckorators Certified Pros can:
- Gain access to Deckorators’ product catalog and proven project management templates
- Increase sales with more professional proposals and faster response times
- Upsell additional products by providing customers with optional selections and upgrades
- Accurately price jobs and manage costs to enhance profit margins
- Deliver improved customer experiences through the use of a customer portal for communications, eSignatures, scheduling, online payments, and file and photo sharing
Deckorators Certified Pros receive a discount on their JobTread subscription[DG1] . For more information on the Deckorators Certified Pro contractor program, visit pro.deckorators.com and follow Deckorators on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram. Contractors can sign up to become a Certified Pro at www.deckorators.com/certified.
Media Contacts:
Micah Paldino
PB&J
Cell: 513-668-7676
Stuart Lindle
PB&J
Cell: 513-482-9541
ABOUT DECKORATORS
Deckorators, the first name in decking, railing and accessories is a brand of UFP Retail Solutions, LLC, a UFP Industries company. Deckorators originated the low-maintenance aluminum balusters category with the Classic Series and has since led the industry with many new and innovative decking and railing products. Its approach to developing exciting and distinctive products allows both DIYers and builders to bring the personal creativity of interior design to outdoor living.
To learn more about Deckorators decking and railing accessories, visit www.deckorators.com or call 800-556-8449.
Follow Deckorators on Instagram: @Deckorators
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/deckoratorscompany
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Deckorators
YouTube: www.youtube.com/DeckoratorsProducts
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/deckorators
UFP INDUSTRIES, INC. (NASDAQ: UFPI)
UFP Industries, Inc., formerly Universal Forest Products, is a holding company whose operating subsidiaries – UFP Industrial, UFP Construction and UFP Retail Solutions – manufacture, distribute and sell a wide variety of wood- and alternative material-based building and industrial products worldwide. Founded in 1955, the company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with affiliates throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more about UFP Industries, go to www.ufpi.com.
ABOUT JOBTREAD SOFTWARE
JobTread provides end-to-end construction management software to help jobs based businesses more efficiently manage all of their processes, from pre-construction through to project completion. The platform offers a central location to manage jobs, teams, schedules, documents, photos, finances, customers, vendors, sub-contractors, and more all in one place. Its budget-first approach creates financial transparency at every stage of a project, mitigating risk and ensuring the project stays on time and on budget. Get organized, complete your projects on time, and increase your profits with JobTread.
To learn more about JobTread, visit www.JobTread.com or call 972-388-1001.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JobTread
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jobtread
YouTube: www.youtube.com/jobtread
Twitter: @JobTread
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/28920856
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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