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SOAKE POOLS ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW HIRES

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Soake Pools Launches Check & Stripe Collection

The U.S. Plunge Pool Manufacturer Grows its Marketing, Facilities and Sales Teams to Strengthen its Core and Further its National-Wide Success

Pembroke, N.H. — March 2, 2026 — Soake Pools, the premier plunge pool manufacturer based in New England, announces four new hires in the first quarter of 2026. The new appointments to the Marketing, Facilities and Sales teams will continue to advance Soake Pools’ mission to provide creative and custom plunge pool solutions nationwide.

“Bringing four new team members on board marks an exciting next chapter for Soake Pools and reflects the momentum we’ve built over more than a decade in business,” says Karen Larson, co-founder of Soake Pools. “These hires strengthen our ability to grow thoughtfully, expand into new territories, and amplify our social presence with fresh energy and storytelling that reflects who we are today. With demand rising and brand awareness at an all-time high, now is the right moment to invest in people who will help carry Soake into its next phase of growth.”

Each with their respective expertise, the new team members will help broaden industry awareness of Soake Pools’ expanding product capabilities, supporting homeowners, designers, builders, and developers in residential and commercial projects. Some additional information on each new hire is below:

Stephen Rivard, West Coast Territory Manager

Stephen’s passion for landscape design is a big part of his personal life, as well as his work at Soake. As the new West Coast Territory Manager, Stephen is entrusted with the pivotal role of expanding the territory and cultivating new partnerships to propel the company’s upward trajectory in California, Oregon, and Washington State. His love for travelling—having visited 34 of the 50 U.S. states—and penchant for curating picture-perfect layouts in his New England garden will aid in his duty to grow Soake Pools’ presence in the West.

Heather Kimball, New York City and Fairfield County, CT Territory Manager

Heather joins Soake Pools as the new Territory Manager for New York City and Fairfield County, Connecticut, and is responsible for growing Soake Pools’ presence in her local and nearby communities. New York’s deep roots in the architecture and design and real estate spaces provide Heather—who is located in Brooklyn—ample opportunities for establishing new relationships with prospective clients through meetings, networking events, and industry/trade shows. Heather is an avid indoor plant collector and currently has over 100 indoor plants that keep her busy, along with her husband and two pugs.

Chelsea Owen, Content Creator & Social Media Manager

Chelsea brings a background in graphic design and a love for photography to Soake. As Content Creator, Chelsea will manage Soake Pools’ social media accounts, online presence, and SEO efforts. Her main roles include strategically crafting engaging content across all channels and ensuring the brand’s website and digital materials are optimized for visibility and growth. Chelsea is responsible for telling the story of the brand through photography, videos, and customer testimonials; capturing the Soake Pools lifestyle and translating it across various digital formats. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys golfing, spending time with her husband, daughter, dog, and friends, and soaking up everything summer has to offer.

Brendan Russell, Warehouse Associate

Brendan joins the Soake Pools team as a Warehouse Associate, where he helps keep Soake Pools’ production facility operating efficiently and smoothly from a logistics standpoint. He is responsible for moving pools through Soake’s rigorous quality control process and packing crates with the proper pool equipment to maintain projected lead times. In his free time, Brendan loves to play basketball and billiards. He is also a field artillery veteran and was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

For more information about Soake Pools, please visit soakepools.com.

About Soake Pools: Karen and Brian Larson, Co-Founders of Soake® Pools, created the company from the ground up in 2014, deeming them the first company to offer hand-tiled precast concrete plunge pools for the home in North America. Soake Pools are revolutionary, space-saving pools that combine the best of a pool and a hot tub, and provide year-round enjoyment. Each Soake Pools plunge pool is made in New England using state-of-the-art materials, customizable, and delivered pre-built and ready to install. Today, the Soake Pools team is constantly revolutionizing the industry, offering a steady stream of new dimensions, unparalleled luxury finishes, and a litany of safety, aesthetic, and user-friendly functionalities. Soake Pools are designed to be enjoyed year-round, equipped with the adjustability for a hot dip in the winter and a cold, refreshing plunge in the summer. The plunge pools can even provide athletic training with their resistance systems. Some additional benefits include accessibility in both size and pricing, sustainability in terms of the saltwater contents, lower water usage, and variable speed pumps. Soake Pools offer countless physical and mental wellness benefits year-round and undoubtedly increase home value.

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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.

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Latham Named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Companies List for Second Year

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Latham swimming pool with Newsweek America’s Greatest Companies 2026 recognition badge and Latham 70-year anniversary logo.

Recognition Highlights Pool Industry Leader’s Continued Commitment to
Innovation, Sustainability and Employee Experience

LATHAM, N.Y. (August 25, 2026) Latham, The Pool Company [NASDAQ:SWIM], the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand, has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Companies 2026. This marks the second consecutive year Latham has earned a place on the list, which recognizes leading U.S.-based companies for their financial performance, employee satisfaction, innovation and sustainability efforts.

The comprehensive study, presented by Newsweek in partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, evaluated companies with over $75 million in annual revenue through an extensive survey of more than 179,000 employees and 2.7 million company reviews on financial stability, innovation, and sustainability. To enhance the depth and reliability of the study, Plant-A partnered with leading third-party data providers to assess more than 120 KPIs across critical performance areas such as leadership, integrity, compensation and work-life balance. Only companies that demonstrated outstanding results earned a place on the list.

“Being named one of America’s Greatest Companies for the second year in a row reflects the strength of our people and the culture they have built at Latham,” said Sean Gadd, President and CEO of Latham. “Our team shares a commitment to serving our customers, advancing our industry and finding better ways to work. This recognition shows the impact of those efforts and gives us strong momentum as we continue to grow.”

The Newsweek ranking also considers environmental stewardship, including greenhouse gas emissions, water use, waste reduction and transparency in sustainability reporting. Latham continues to explore ways to improve efficiency, reduce waste and support more responsible practices across its operations.

“Families trust Latham to help create spaces where they can connect, recharge and enjoy time together,” added Gadd. “Earning that trust starts with how we operate as a company. We are proud of this recognition and remain focused on delivering high-quality products, supporting our employees and building a strong foundation for continued growth.”

The full list of America’s Greatest Companies 2026 is published online at Newsweek.com. To learn more about Latham, visit LathamPool.com.

About Latham, the Pool Company
Headquartered in Latham, NY, Latham Group, Inc., is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools and pool accessories in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. With over 60 years of experience and a coast-to-coast operations platform across 24 locations, the company offers a broad range of pool products, including fiberglass, vinyl liner, and automatic safety covers, all designed to provide homeowners with the highest quality and value. For more information, visit www.lathampool.com.

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Industry News

Landmark Aquatic Brings Duraflex Diving Equipment to Facilities Nationwide

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diving board that is set up over a swimming pool

 Duraflex International and Landmark Aquatic have joined forces to bring premier diving equipment to aquatic facilities across the country. The partnership pairs Duraflex’s decades of expertise in diving board design and manufacturing with Landmark’s proven track record in aquatic facility construction, renovation, and maintenance — creating a best-in-class solution for facilities looking to elevate their diving programs.

Whether outfitting a new build or upgrading an existing facility, the collaboration gives aquatic operators access to Duraflex’s full product lineup alongside Landmark’s end-to-end project management and long-term service support. From recreational community pools to high-performance competition venues, the partnership is built to serve divers at every level.

“By joining forces, Duraflex and Landmark Aquatic provides our customers access to greater resources and strengthens our ability to better serve our customers,” said J. Ryan Casserly, Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Aquatic.  “We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and the future we’ll build together in the world of aquatics.”

About Landmark 

Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Serving clients across most of the U.S., Landmark delivers construction-led solutions and on-going support though its 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.  For more about Landmark Aquatic visit www.landmarkaquatic.com

About Duraflex International
For over 60 years, Duraflex International has been the trusted name in competitive and recreational diving equipment. Designed for performance and built to last, Duraflex products are found in facilities ranging from neighborhood pools to Olympic-level competition venues worldwide. Duraflex’s commitment to innovation and quality has made it the industry standard for diving boards and aquatic equipment.

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CCEI Wins 2025 Golden Wave Award

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Every two years, the prestigious German media outlet Schwimmbad + Sauna hosts the Golden Waves awards, celebrating and rewarding European companies for their outstanding products, technologies, and innovations in the aquatic and wellness industry. The competition draws entries from across the continent, making each nomination a meaningful recognition of excellence. CCEI has long been a strong contender at this event — most notably in 2019, when the company took home the coveted Gold award.

For this 11th edition of the Golden Waves, CCEI put its connected level regulation system Niva VP for infinity pools in the spotlight. The technology earned the company nominations in three categories: Smart Technology, Usability, and Technical Innovation — a testament to the solution’s breadth of impact and the jury’s recognition of its multi-dimensional value. Thanks to its differential pressure technology, Niva VP delivers ultra-precise water level regulation down to the centimeter, without floats or approximate adjustments.

Representing CCEI at the awards ceremony were Catherine Gobin, Group Sales Director, and Leonie Bauer, Germany Branch Manager, who accepted the Bronze Medal in the Smart Technology category on behalf of the entire CCEI team. Their presence at the event also underscored the company’s active engagement with the European market and its commitment to building lasting relationships within the industry. “We are thrilled and honored to receive this award as it acknowledges the hard work of our entire team who continue to push the technological envelope to bring innovative products to the swimming pool industry,” says Gobin.

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This distinction is more than a medal — it is a confirmation of CCEI’s strategic vision and ongoing commitment to shaping the pool of tomorrow: connected, efficient, and sustainable. As the aquatic industry continues to evolve, CCEI remains at the forefront, developing solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with real-world usability for professionals and end users alike.

www.ccei-pool.com/en-us
424-800-2191
CCEI USA Inc.
808 Hindry Ave, Suite G / Inglewood, CA 90301

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