News
Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Announces 2026 Greg Garrett Scholarship Award Winners

(Alexandria, Va.) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, has named Arthur Grace, Vice President of Clearwater Pool and Spa, Inc. in Livonia, Michigan, and Martin Cole, Owner of Lone Star Oasis Pools LLC in Boyd, Texas, as the 2026 recipients of the Greg Garrett Scholarship.
Created in memory of Greg Garrett, who dedicated 45 years to the pool and hot tub industry and served in numerous leadership roles, the $5,000 Greg Garrett Scholarship is awarded annually by PHTA’s Research and Grants Committee (RGC) to PHTA members in the builder or service sector. Scholarship funds may be used toward PHTA education and certification fees to support continuing education and advance professionalism within the industry. Through a matching sponsorship from Periodic Products, Inc., two scholarships were awarded again this year.
“Periodic Products is honored to partner with PHTA to recognize these two individuals who embody Greg Garrett’s legacy of professionalism, lifelong learning, and commitment to excellence,” says Joe Laurino, Ph.D., President & CEO of Periodic Products, Inc. “Arthur Grace and Martin Cole exemplify Greg Garrett’s commitment to learning, professionalism, and advancing our industry through education.”
Arthur Grace
Grace, who received the scholarship sponsored by PHTA, has worked in the pool and hot tub industry for 25 years and currently serves as Vice President of Clearwater Pool and Spa, Inc. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to continuous learning, viewing education as essential to staying at the forefront of an ever-evolving industry.
Grace believes that mastering both the technical and artistic aspects of pool construction is critical to delivering exceptional projects. He is passionate about building pools that combine structural integrity, engineering excellence, and thoughtful design while mentoring the next generation of professionals to uphold the industry’s highest standards.
With this $5,000 scholarship, Grace plans to continue his GENESIS education by completing advanced courses, including C410: Advanced Pool Construction, as he works toward achieving GENESIS Master Professional status. He is committed to applying that knowledge to create innovative, technically sound aquatic environments while continuing to raise the standard of craftsmanship throughout the industry.
Martin Cole
Cole, who received the scholarship sponsored by Periodic Products, Inc., is the owner of Lone Star Oasis Pools LLC in Boyd, Texas. Since entering the industry in 2020, he has prioritized continuing education, earning his Certified Builder Professional (CBP) designation and applying those skills to every project he builds.
A retired Marine and disabled veteran, Cole is a strong advocate for education and professional standards within the pool industry. He regularly shares his knowledge with fellow industry professionals and homeowners, encouraging best practices and promoting the value of certification to help elevate the profession.
With this $5,000 scholarship, Cole plans to continue pursuing advanced PHTA certifications on his path toward becoming a Certified Master Pool Builder and Design Professional. He believes continued education strengthens not only his own business but also the professionalism and craftsmanship of the industry as a whole.
For more information about the Greg Garrett Scholarship, please visit https://phta.org/garrett-award or 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 nonprofit organization with more than 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62 billion pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase 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.
About PHTA’s Research and Grants Committee
The Research and Grants Committee (RGC) was established to advance scientific knowledge and innovation within the pool and hot tub industry through strategic research initiatives and management of grants for that research. Through its work, the RGC identifies research opportunities and knowledge gaps within the pool and hot tub industry. The RGC also manages the selection of grant and award recipients for exceptional work in the Pool and Hot Tub industry. For more information, go toTechnical Leadership Committees – Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
Manufacturer
Soake Pools Bolsters National Growth With Four Key Hires

New territory managers, production leadership, and operations support reinforce the plunge pool manufacturer’s white-glove service as demand grows across U.S. markets
Pembroke, N.H. — October 2026 — Soake Pools, the New England manufacturer that pioneered the made-to-order precast concrete plunge pool, has added four team members to support its growth into new regional markets. The hires span sales, production leadership, and operations, positioning the team to scale with rising national demand for its hand-tiled pools, without sacrificing service or quality.
New appointments include:
- Kerry Covington, Pacific Northwest Territory Manager—Based in Oregon, Covington is Soake Pools’ first territory manager to live and work in the Pacific Northwest, offering on-the-ground support. With more than a decade of experience in high-end remodeling and landscape design for luxury residential construction, he will help Pacific Northwest homeowners translate plunge pool concepts into thoughtfully planned additions tailored to their homes and landscapes.
- Brooke Fine, MA South Shore, Cape Cod & Islands Territory Manager—Also based in territory and a Soake Pools customer herself, Fine brings both local knowledge and firsthand experience with the brand to the role. With a personal understanding of how a Soake Pool can enhance wellness, relaxation and outdoor living, she will provide dedicated in-territory support to homeowners across the Massachusetts South Shore, Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
- Eric Bailey, General Manager—At the company’s Pembroke production facility, Bailey will oversee manufacturing with 22 years of precast concrete experience. As a born-and-raised New Hampshire resident with a career built on quality and customer service, Bailey embodies the values Soake Pools has built its reputation on.
- Katherine Fillon, Accounts Receivable—Lifelong New Englander Fillon rounds out the company’s administrative team, supporting a seamless experience between Soake Pools’ customers, partners and collaborators.
The news follows Soake Pools’ recognition as one of Business NH Magazine’s 2026 Best Companies to Work For in New Hampshire, where the company earned the No. 11 spot after a rigorous evaluation that included employer and team surveys, site visits, and employee focus groups. As it grows its team, the locally owned, family-run company stays anchored to the same standards that earned this honor.
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.
Industry News
Hayward Holdings Names New Chief Accounting Officer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) (“Hayward” or the “Company”), a leading global pool and outdoor living technology company, today announced the appointment of Jared Arrowood as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective immediately. As principal accounting officer, Arrowood will oversee the Company’s global financial reporting, tax, operational finance and technical accounting functions.
“Jared’s experience as a financial executive for publicly traded global organizations and his deep understanding of our business make him exceptionally well suited for this role,” said Eifion Jones, Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. “I am confident his technical expertise, leadership and business perspective will continue to strengthen our finance organization and support long-term value creation for shareholders.”
Arrowood will continue to report to Jones as part of his financial leadership team.
Arrowood joined Hayward in 2023 as Assistant Corporate Controller and was promoted to Vice President, Corporate Controller in 2024. He has helped strengthen the Company’s financial processes, controls and continuous improvement efforts across the global controllership organization. Prior to Hayward, Arrowood spent 17 years at SPX FLOW, including serving as Vice President of Finance for its Mixing Solutions division.
He holds a Master of Accounting from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is a certified public accountant.
About Hayward Holdings, Inc.
Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) is a leading global specialty water management company focused on designing and manufacturing pool and outdoor living technology and industrial flow control products. Driven by a mission to transform the experience of water, Hayward offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy‑efficient and sustainable pool equipment—including pumps, heaters, sanitizers, filters, LED lighting, water features, and cleaners—integrated through its intuitive, IoT‑enabled SmartPad™ platform. The Company also provides industrial thermoplastic valves and process control products serving a wide range of applications.
Investor Relations Contact:
Kevin Maczka
[email protected]
Media Relations Contact:
Misty Zelent
[email protected]
Press Releases
Daldorado Names Marcia Gyles Director of Sales

Daldorado, a leading innovator in the commercial aquatic industry, announces the appointment of Marcia Gyles as its new Director of Sales. Bringing a distinguished track record of high-impact leadership to the role, Gyles’s comprehensive sales approach will span the entire industry ecosystem, serving distributors, contractors, and facility owners alike as she accelerates revenue growth and scales national operations.
In her new role, Gyles will manage the entire United States, leveraging her deep market expertise to provide unlimited access to Daldorado’s expansive product line. She is tasked with representing the company’s full portfolio of high-performance aquatic solutions—including its signature Rim-Flow systems, Main Drains, and highly anticipated products currently in development.
“We are thrilled to welcome a professional of Marcia’s high caliber to the Daldorado leadership team,” said Rob Lawson, Founder/CEO. “Her unparalleled expertise in channel sales and sophisticated account management makes her the perfect fit to elevate our national footprint as we shift to a distribution sales model. Marcia’s dynamic energy and master strategic vision will play a critical role in setting the tone for our sales pipeline and achieving our aggressive scaling goals.”
As Director of Sales, Gyles will oversee regular sales forecasting, manage cross-functional collaborations with marketing and operations for seasonal inventory planning, and maintain a commanding field presence. Her role involves an extensive travel schedule which includes conducting on-site commercial installation visits and providing master-class training for Daldorado’s extensive distribution and design networks.
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.
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