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PSP/Deck Expo Opens Its Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge

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Million Dollar Pool Challenge 2022

Five finalists, including one young professional, will be selected to receive a trip to PSP/Deck Expo 2023 and vie for a $10,000 prize, provided by Riverflow® Pumps by Current Systems. The finalists will present their design solutions to their peers during an on-floor education session.

Las Vegas, Nevada (August 15, 2023) – The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo,
co-located with Deck Expo (PSP/Deck Expo) has opened submissions for its design competition. The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge offers pool designers the opportunity to create a mock outdoor living area, with a minimum $1 million budget.  For the second year, designers can win a top prize of $10,000 thanks to Lead Sponsor, Riverflow® Pumps by Current Systems.

Reid Schindler and Mike Farley, both with a degree in landscape architecture and a combined background of more than 50 years of award-winning pool design experience, are teaming up with the PSP/Deck Expo for the fifth time to discover the industry’s top designers.

The finalists will each receive a complimentary Super Pass, travel stipend, and a two-night stay in Las Vegas. They will each present their concepts during the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge session within the conference program. Live voting will determine the winner, who will be named at the conclusion of the session.

“Prepare to leave a lasting impression on the pool design industry,” said Farley. “We’re seeking daring concepts that showcase the boundless creativity of designers, coupled with a practical roadmap to bring their visionary ideas to life.”

PSP/Deck Expo takes place November 13–15, 2023, in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada. Pre-show education occurs November 10–15, with the main conference education and expo hall happening November 13–15.


The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge for 2023 has a scenario of:

Background

The clients are currently building their dream ‘forever’ home on the Intracoastal Waterway in the Miami Beach area. They have just become empty nesters and hope to create a home that friends and family can enjoy year-round. The space will need to be flashy enough to entertain some of the biggest names in the Miami area while also feeling warm and inviting.

Aesthetics and View

  • Love the view of the water but wouldn’t mind a little bit of privacy in their secluded areas.
  • Love modern design elements, fire and water, and Latin flair.

Elements to Include

  • Lazy River featuring Riverflow® Technology by Current Systems, Inc.
  • Sun ledge with 4+ Ledge Loungers
  • Dramatic Front Entry
  • Front Drive w/ Fountain
  • Glass Tile Mural
  • Acrylic Glass Element

“This presents an exceptional chance for designers at all stages to gain the recognition they truly deserve,” said Schindler. “We’re looking for builders who can seamlessly blend form and function, always prioritizing the homeowners’ desires and necessities in their designs.”

Riverflow® Pumps by Current Systems is the lead sponsor of the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge.

“Utilizing Riverflow Pumps created by Current Systems opens up a multitude of possibilities,” stated Phil de Tournillon, the Vice President of Riverflow Pumps at Current Systems.  “These include engaging in fitness through swim currents, enjoying leisure and excitement with the gentle flow of a lazy river, or experiencing the thrill of whitewater currents, all within a compact and efficient design.”

Additional sponsors are Ledge Lounger, Pool Magazine, and the PHTA WAVE Young Professionals Network.

The winning designers will take home a cash prize of:

  • 1st Place – $10,000 (Sponsored by Riverflow® Pumps by Current Systems)
  • 2nd Place – $3,000
  • 3rd Place – $1,250
  • 4th Place – $750
  • 5th Place – $500

One of the five spots is guaranteed to a young professional (Age 29 or below at time of submission), whose trip to PSP/Deck Expo will be sponsored by PHTA WAVE Young Professionals Network.

The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge is now accepting submissions, at: https://www.themilliondollarpoolchallenge.com. The deadline to submit is September 21. Five finalists, including a young professional (under 30 years of age), will be named in early fall.

PSP/Deck Expo brings together builders, service techs, retailers and distributors. Thousands of members from the pool, spa, patio, decking and outdoor living community attend PSP/Deck Expo to engage with the latest products and services and to network. These interactions come in the form of new and existing connections, education sessions, demonstrations and more.

PSP/Deck Expo actively collaborates across the entire pool, spa, backyard, and decking industries to provide participants the most comprehensive array of networking, education, and technology available. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is the official Show Sponsor, GENESIS® is the official Show Endorser, Pool and Spa News (PSN) is the official Show Publication, and the North American Decking and Railing Association (NADRA) is the Deck Expo Show Sponsor.

For more information, visit https://www.themilliondollarpoolchallenge.com.

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Marianne Trusty

Marianne Trusty is a Press Correspondent for the pool & spa industry. A published author and social media influencer reaching over 20 million people around the world each day. Contact Marianne about publishing op-editorials, breaking pool news and press releases at [email protected].

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Pentair Names Josh Cowley Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Pentair Pool

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a picture of a man

London, United Kingdom – October 19, 2026 – Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR), a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource, today announced that it has named Josh Cowley as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool, effective November 9, 2026. Mr. Crowley will report to De’Mon Wiggins, Executive Vice President and President, Pentair Flow, Water Solutions and Pool.

“Josh brings deep pool industry knowledge, a strong understanding of our customers and a proven ability to turn strategy into action,” said John L. Stauch, Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer. “His successful commercial and operating track record, coupled with his business acumen and leadership experience, will help build on the strength of our Pool business, enhance customer relationships and position Pentair Pool for long-term growth. We are pleased to welcome him to Pentair.”

Cowley brings more than 25 years of leadership experience and a successful track record of scaling businesses, building teams and strengthening channel partnerships. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of May Manufacturing, a leading hot tub and swim spa manufacturer, where he led the company through a significant phase of growth by establishing a customer centric culture with focused strategic priorities, expanding customer relationships, building a solid leadership team, and improved overall financial performance.

Prior to that, Cowley served as Chief Commercial Officer of Latham Group, the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand, where he led global sales, customer service, product and channel management, and brand marketing. Earlier in his career, from 2005 to 2021, he held several senior leadership roles at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., including President and General Manager of North America Retail Sales & Marketing. Cowley earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

About Pentair plc

At Pentair, we help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions, to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is a core large cap value S&P 500 equity stock focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

Pentair had revenue in 2025 of approximately $4.2 billion, and trades under the ticker symbol PNR. With approximately 9,000 global employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, we work to help improve lives and the environment around the world. To learn more, visit www.pentair.com.

PENTAIR CONTACTS:

Jeff Thompson
Investor Relations
Direct: 763-656-5527
Email: [email protected]

Rebecca Osborn
Corporate Communications
Direct: 763-656-5589
Email: [email protected]

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Hayward Holdings Names New Chief Accounting Officer

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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]

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Watershape University Announces Fall 2026 Session in San Diego

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Classroom at UCSD Park and Market in San Diego, site of Watershape University’s Fall 2026 Session

WU’s three-day program brings together leading watershape industry educators and professionals for advanced training in construction, design, business, and technology

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Watershape University (WU) has announced its Fall 2026 Session, a three-day educational event designed to provide watershape professionals with practical, advanced instruction in construction, design, business management, and emerging technologies.

The event will take place December 2–4, 2026, at UCSD Park and Market in downtown San Diego, bringing together hundreds of professionals from across the pool, spa, aquatic, and outdoor-living industries. The Fall Session features seven courses, offering a combination of foundational and advanced education, along with opportunities for professional networking and industry engagement. 

“Watershape University’s Fall Session is designed around the real-world challenges facing today’s watershape professionals,” said David J. Peterson, P.E., President/CEO of Watershape Consulting and Watershape University co-founder and instructor. “The program brings together some of the most experienced educators and practitioners in the industry and enables attendees to deepen their technical knowledge while gaining practical tools they can immediately apply to their businesses and projects.”

Education Across the Watershape Profession

The Fall Session opens December 2 with four full-day courses addressing essential construction practices, shotcrete quality, business administration, and sales and marketing.

CONSTRUCTION 2111: Essential Pool Construction, taught by Benjamin Lasseter and William Drakeley, provides a comprehensive examination of the disciplines and processes involved in building quality watershapes. Topics include geotechnical, hydraulic, structural and electrical considerations, project layout, form construction, shotcrete, waterproofing, tile and coping, decking, finishes, start-up procedures, and project completion. The course provides 24 hours of instruction and 2.4 CEUs. 

CONSTRUCTION 2241: ASA Quality Shotcrete, presented by Charles Hanskat of the American Shotcrete Association, focuses on the critical elements required to evaluate shotcrete placement and achieve a durable concrete pool shell. Attendees examine materials, equipment, placement techniques, finishing, curing, testing, protection, and jobsite safety. The course provides eight hours of instruction and 0.8 CEUs. 

For business owners and managers, BUSINESS 1611: Essential Business Administration Workshop, taught by Chris Volk and Julie Kazdin, addresses the operational issues that affect construction, service and retail companies. The curriculum includes contracts, insurance, liability, human resources, company culture, hiring and retention, marketing, sales and strategies for sustainable growth. 

BUSINESS 2323: Principles of Sales & Marketing for Pool Companies, presented by Dane Wiseman and Brett Abbott, examines brand positioning, lead generation, digital and traditional marketing, website conversion, marketing automation, customer-relationship management, sales psychology, online reputation, referrals and measurement of marketing performance. The course also explores practical applications of artificial intelligence in sales and marketing. 

Advanced Training for Experienced Professionals

The second day of the Fall Session introduces a series of advanced two-day programs.

CONSTRUCTION 4112: Advanced Watershape Construction – Residential, taught by David J. Peterson, P.E., and Paolo Benedetti, explores complex residential watershape construction, including vanishing and slot edges, moveable floors, advanced automatic covers, glass tile, difficult sites, soil stabilization, pier and beam foundations, advanced forming, water-treatment and automation systems. The course also addresses architecturally integrated watershapes, acrylic windows, fire elements and innovative aesthetic details. 

CONSTRUCTION 2622: Outdoor Finish Material Science, presented by Jason Brownlee, examines the properties and performance of natural stone, wood, tile, brick, concrete, metals, cementitious finishes and softscape materials. The course focuses on texture, moisture behavior, thermal movement, durability, surface performance, material selection and installation practices intended to reduce failure and improve long-term performance. 

The session also introduces DESIGN 3121: Essential Revit for Watershapers, taught by Richard Kremer and Conor Rodriguez of Watershape Consulting. The two-day course provides watershaping professionals with instruction in Revit, an increasingly important tool for digital design and project documentation. 

Professional Development and Certification

Several Fall Session courses contribute directly toward Watershape University professional certification pathways. Essential Pool Construction counts toward the Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF) credential, while Essential Business Administration and Essential Revit contribute to the Certified Watershape Builder (CWB) pathway. Advanced Watershape Construction – Residential contributes toward the Certified Watershape Professional (CWP)pathway, and ASA Quality Shotcrete is part of the Certified Watershape Shotcrete Specialist (CWSS) program. 

WU’s certification programs are designed to establish structured educational progression for watershape professionals, combining technical, business, design and construction disciplines.

“Professional education is fundamental to raising the standard of the entire watershape industry,” said Julie Kazdin, Watershape University’s Vice President of Operations and Dean of Business. “The Fall Session gives professionals at different stages of their careers access to concentrated, high-level instruction while creating an environment where they can exchange ideas and build relationships with peers from across the country.”

More Than the Classroom

In addition to classroom instruction, the Fall Session will include opportunities for attendees to connect with fellow professionals, instructors and industry leaders. An IWI Dinner Cruise is scheduled for the evening of December 2, followed by an industry tailgate gathering on December 3. 

The Fall Session will be held at UCSD Park and Market, 1100 Market St., San Diego, California. Registration and complete course information are available through Watershape University. 

Register for Watershape University’s Fall 2026 Education Session

About Watershape University

Watershape University is an educational organization dedicated to advancing professionalism throughout the watershape industry through comprehensive education, professional development and certification. WU provides instruction in business, design, engineering, construction and related disciplines for professionals working across the pool, spa, aquatic and outdoor-living sectors.

For more information, visit Watershape University or contact the organization at 858-788-9998 or [email protected].

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