Industry News
Honoring the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Pool Pro Award Winners With Pentair Pool

Celebrating the long-standing industry leaders whose dedication, vision,
and service-first mindset have shaped the future of the aquatics industry.
The Pentair Pool Pro Awards shine a spotlight on pool professionals who elevate the
standard of excellence — those who champion safety, embrace innovation, and support
the next generation of industry talent. Among this year’s honorees, the Lifetime
Achievement Award holds special significance. It recognizes individuals whose years of
service, leadership, and impact have left lasting imprints on their teams, their customers,
and the pool community at large.
The 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award winners exemplify what it means to lead with
purpose. Their stories reflect a shared commitment to uplifting others, advancing the
industry, and showing what’s possible through hard work, humility, and a dedication to
doing things the right way.

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Shannon Jones
Owner, Graves Pools and Spas | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
For Shannon Jones, the pool industry is more than a career — it’s a legacy. Celebrating 50
years in business, Graves Pools and Spas has been family-run for generations, and Jones is
proud to continue the mission her grandfather began… And share it with all three of her
children, who are also involved in the business. Early in her leadership journey, she created
a personal mission statement that still guides her today: to make a positive difference in
every life she meets.
That philosophy is woven through her business. Guided by servant leadership, Jones
focuses first on caring for her team, trusting that empowered employees deliver
exceptional experiences for customers. “The more I take care of them,” she says, “the more
they feel fulfilled, and the more they care for others.” Many members of her management
team have been with the company for 16, 18, even 25 years, a testament to her example-driven approach.
Jones’ commitment to excellence shows up in everyday actions, from celebrating safe
driving with the company’s “Golden Steering Wheel” award, to openly acknowledging and
correcting mistakes as part of a culture rooted in honesty. And her impact extends beyond
the business. Graves Pools and Spas supports swim education across three local YMCA chapters, providing equipment and services free of charge and hosting swim lessons in the
company’s pools. “If we save one child from drowning,” she says, “it would be worth
everything we give.”
As automation and A.I. reshape the industry, Jones is focused on bringing modern tools to
both residential and commercial customers, helping her community stay ahead of the
curve. And with all three of her children now part of the company, the future feels bright.
“Our opportunities are limitless,” she says. “And the more we grow, the more positive
differences we get to make. I’m honored to be recognized with this award, but having the
ability to make a difference in the world through my company, I’ve already won big time.”
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Sean Johnson
Executive Vice President, Field Services, Amenity Pool Services | New York City, NY
For Sean Johnson, the pool industry became a calling long before it became a career.
Growing up in New York City, Johnson didn’t learn to swim until he was a teenager, but he
was hooked from the moment he did. That first experience sparked a passion for aquatics
and lifeguarding that eventually led him to a career path, where he rose from an entry-level
role to leading an entire office by age 20.
Johnson’s lifelong dedication is rooted in helping people build meaningful careers. Whether
mentoring young lifeguards, developing leaders, or promoting from within, he has always
believed the strongest customer relationships start with strong teams. Throughout his
career with The Amenity Collective, a leader in aquatics, fitness, and recreation solutions,
Sean has been instrumental in the growth of its aquatics platform, including American Pool
and Amenity Pool Services, while mentoring field teams and building operational depth and
process across the organization. Under his leadership, his New York office grew from 40
commercial customers to more than 300, maintaining one of the highest customer
retention rates in the region.
His commitment to going above and beyond is perhaps best illustrated through his work
with Erickson Senior Living. Tasked with automating pools across dozens of properties,
Johnson personally visited every location — traveling more than 200 nights over three years
— to install systems, build relationships, and ensure residents enjoyed safe, perfectly
balanced pools. “It was one of the few things I got exactly right in my life,” he says, laughing.
“I made real personal friends along the way.”
Johnson also contributes beyond the industry, giving his time to Boy Scouts of America by
restoring trail systems, writing hiking guides, and continuing to serve as a scout leader. He’s
also a proud member of his local high school’s board.
Winning the Lifetime Achievement Award, he says, feels deeply personal. “I’ve worked in
this business my whole life,” Johnson shares. “To be recognized like this… it means
everything to me. I hope it shows young people that the pool industry is a real career —
something you can grow in, lead in, and truly be proud of. And beyond that, it’s just plain
fun!”
Celebrating All the 2025 Pentair Pool Pro Award Winners
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement honorees, Pentair recognized winners across
multiple categories, including Premier Pool Pro, Unsung Hero, Safety Advocate, and
Advancing Automation. Visit www.pentair.com/en-us/pool-spa/pool-pro-awards to meet
all the remarkable individuals shaping the future of pools one customer at a time.
Industry News
Cover Care Names Greg Conner Executive VP and General Manager

Cover Care, LLC, providers of automatic pool safety covers and pool safety fencing, is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Conner as the company’s new Executive Vice President and General Manager. In his new role, Conner will oversee the company’s operations, team, and growth strategy as they expand their reach across North America.
Conner brings nearly two decades of global leadership experience in the automation and supply chain technology industries. Most recently, he served as President of Warehousing Solutions – North America at Vanderlande Industries, a Toyota-owned global leader in warehouse automation, leading a $1.2 billion division. There, his seven-point transformation strategy produced the highest sales pipeline in company history, drove a more than 700% increase in qualified sales opportunities and moved the division from last to first in employee opinion survey results.
Conner began his career in 2005 at Bastian Solutions, helping transform the company from an equipment provider into a full-scale automation systems integrator. As Vice President of Global Sales, he helped the company secure hundreds of millions of dollars of sales across three continents while also helping to establish many of the company’s regional offices and oversaw operations across Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and India. After Toyota Industries Corporation acquired Bastian in 2017, he served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, leading the acquisition of RH Brown Company and delivering more than 200% EBIT growth in three years. He was named the Material Handling Institute’s Outstanding Young Professional of the Year in 2015 and holds a degree from Purdue University.
For Conner, who serves as President of the Friends of Central Pool, the role is also personal. “I’ve spent a significant part of my life involved in aquatics and have seen firsthand the importance of water safety,” he said. “The fact that automatic safety covers and pool safety fencing help prevent tragedies and save lives gives the work a purpose that goes well beyond simply selling a product.”
Conner was also drawn to Cover Care’s strong foundation and vision for continued growth. Under his leadership, customers and partners can expect a team that is responsive, creative and easy to do business with — one willing to try new approaches and focused on following through and exceeding expectations.
“Greg brings a fresh perspective and a proven track record of scaling organizations at exactly the right time for Cover Care,” said Jacob Bloss, Director of Operations for Cover Care. “As we experience exponential growth, his experience building high-performing teams, opening new markets and leading global organizations will bring new ideas to how we operate and serve our customers. We’re excited to have him helping lead the next chapter of our company.”
About Cover Care
Cover Care, LLC is a leading provider of automatic pool cover and pool safety fence solutions, offering professional installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement services. With experienced local teams in 39 states across the country, Cover Care partners with pool builders and homeowners to deliver high-quality installations, reliable service, and enhanced pool safety.
Industry News
Luciana Amaro Joins Franklin Electric as Chief Human Resources Officer

Fort Wayne, IN – October 2026 – Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE), announces that Luciana Amaro has been appointed Chief Human Resources Officer. Amaro will report to Joe Ruzynski, Chief Executive Officer, and will lead the company’s global Human Resources strategy, partnering with business leaders to strengthen organizational capability, advance talent and leadership development, and foster a high-performance culture that supports Franklin Electric’s long-term growth objectives.
Amaro brings 28 years of Human Resources leadership experience across complex global organizations with significant R&D, manufacturing, and commercial operations. Her international career spans Brazil, Germany, and the United States. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Elanco Animal Health, where she led a global HR organization supporting the company’s people strategy and business transformation. Earlier in her career, she held senior HR leadership roles at BASF and Yara International, with responsibilities spanning the Americas and global talent and leadership development.
“Luciana’s breadth of experience, strategic mindset, and passion for people make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” said Joe Ruzynski, CEO. “She has a proven track record of building strong organizational cultures, developing leaders, and aligning talent strategies with business priorities. As we continue to grow globally, Luciana’s leadership will help us attract, develop, engage, and retain the talent needed to achieve our long-term goals.”
Amaro’s previous experience and business perspective position her well to support Franklin Electric’s global workforce and strategic priorities.
“It is an honor to join Franklin Electric and become part of an organization with such a strong reputation for innovation, customer focus, and values-driven leadership,” said Amaro. “I look forward to connecting with our people around the world, building on the company’s strengths, and working together to create an environment where people can grow, thrive, and make a meaningful impact on our business and the customers we serve.”
About Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers worldwide in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be recognized in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies 2024, and Greenest Companies 2025; Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024; and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.
Industry News
RB Retail & Service Solutions Launches RB Propel

RB Retail & Service Solutions is pleased to announce it has introduced RB Propel, a new cloud-based business management platform built specifically for pool and spa service and retail businesses. RB Propel is designed to help operators move away from the patchwork of disconnected point-of-sale systems, service apps, spreadsheets, and manual processes that many businesses rely on today, replacing them with a single software system.
The platform connects store operations, field service, inventory, customer history, and back-office workflows, giving owners and teams one control center for the entire business. Rather than choosing between lightweight tools that create blind spots or enterprise systems that add implementation complexity, RB Propel is positioned to offer the operational depth pool and spa businesses need with a modern cloud experience.
Key benefits include reduced duplicate work through connected customer and sales data, stronger margin protection through improved inventory accuracy and job-level visibility, and standardized workflows and reporting that support growth across multiple locations.
RB Propel also includes guided onboarding, training, and responsive support, reflecting the company’s recognition that switching business systems carries risk for operators who can’t afford disruption during peak season.
RB Propel is releasing features in waves and currently onboarding Retail business with the next wave including include service businesses. Learn more at rbretailandservicesolutions.com
About RB Retail & Service Solutions software:
For more than 20 years, pool and spa retailers and service professionals have helped shape RB into a platform built around the real-world needs of the industry. Since 2003, RB has remained focused on one mission: helping pool and spa businesses operate more efficiently, serve their customers better, and grow with confidence.
What began as a vision to simplify complex retail and service operations has evolved alongside the businesses RB serves. Decades of industry experience, customer feedback, and changing technology have helped shape the next chapter of RB: RB Propel.
Built for the future of the pool and spa industry, RB Propel brings the experience and functionality businesses have come to expect from RB into a modern, cloud-based platform designed to simplify everyday operations and support continued growth. From retail and customer management to service, inventory, payments, and business insights, Propel is being designed to connect the critical areas of a pool and spa business in one solution.
RB Propel represents more than a new software platform—it is the next evolution of a partnership that began more than two decades ago. As the industry continues to change, RB remains committed to listening to its customers, embracing innovation, and building technology that helps pool and spa professionals spend less time managing software and more time growing their businesses.
https://rbretailandservicesolutions.com/
1-866-933-9099
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