Manufacturer
Step Into Swim Announces Partnership With Pentair Pool To Support Drowning Prevention Initiatives

Partnership will increase access to swim lessons and water safety resources across North America
(Alexandria, Va.) – Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) dedicated to creating more swimmers through safe swim education, today announced that Pentair Pool, an industry-leading manufacturer of pool and spa solutions, has committed as a Diamond Level Sponsor to support Step Into Swim. The partnership, announced at the U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials in Indianapolis, IN, is part of Pentair Pool’s ongoing commitment to raise awareness of the importance of water safety and learning to swim.
“Pentair Pool has been a longtime advocate of water safety and an incredible partner to PHTA, and we are thrilled to expand that partnership through their generous support of Step Into Swim,” said Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines, PHTA Vice President of Partnerships & Development, who leads the Step Into Swim initiative. “Thanks to Pentair Pool, children around the country will learn to be safer and more confident in and around the water—a lifelong skill that saves lives.”
Together, Pentair Pool and Step Into Swim will help to provide learn-to-swim programming for thousands of children annually. Pentair Pool has long been a champion of water safety, including sponsoring the annual National Water Safety Month initiative for nearly 10 years.
“At Pentair Pool our mission is to help people safely and sustainably enjoy water,” said Greg Claffey, PHTA board member and Pentair Pool president. “This partnership exemplifies our commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work by helping to safely advance the next generation of swimmers.”
Step Into Swim supporters provide the lifesaving skill of learning to swim and raising awareness for the aquatic industry’s role in improving public health and safety. In 2023, Step Into Swim raised over $1.4 million, which provided grants to more than 100 facilities in 32 states and Canada and funded swim lessons for 23,500 children. The initiative has gifted more than 330,000 swim lessons since 2012. The program is funded through partner contributions, which are integral for advancing the mission. Every dollar donated goes directly to learn-to-swim programming. To learn more, visit www.stepintoswim.com.
Manufacturer
Nidec Names New Pool/Spa Motors National Account Manager

ST. LOUIS, MO – October 21, 2026 – Nidec, a manufacturer of electric motors and drives, has announced the promotion of Atticus Edge to National Account Manager for the pool and spa industry.
In his new role, Edge is responsible for the Pool/Aftermarket Motor business, managing Nidec’s U.S. MOTORS® network of sales representatives and supporting key national pool supplier accounts. He works closely with customers and sales partners to drive growth and deliver strong support across the pool aftermarket channel.
Edge joined Nidec two years ago, serving in various engineering roles. Most recently, he supported the Variable speed and Neptune® motor platforms as a mechanical engineer, where he developed strong technical expertise and product knowledge.
“As pool pumps and motors become more complex, pool service professionals often need expert guidance in selecting and programming pump motors,” said Steve O’Brien, National Sales Director at Nidec. “Atticus is already proving himself in this role as he applies his education and knowledge to benefit pool service professionals and distributors.”
Variable speed motors are now required by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for most pool applications, including replacement motors. Nidec’s Neptune line of pool pump motors offers energy savings plus the ability to replace only the failed motor, rather than the entire pump.
With these technical advantages, Edge said the Neptune line has become a popular replacement motor for the pool industry. “We’re pleased to be able to offer service reps, and in turn their pool customers, these high-efficiency motors that meet or exceed DOE regulations.”
Prior to joining Nidec, Edge worked for Spec-Tech Industrial Electric as an assembly and testing tech. He also completed an internship at Neff Power. Edge holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Saint Louis University.
About Nidec
Nidec Corporation is the world’s No.1 comprehensive motor manufacturer. Based in Kyoto, Japan, Nidec Corporation offers motors ranging from micro-size to super large, as well as application products and services in IT, automation, home appliances, automobiles, commercial and industrial systems, environmental, energy, and many other businesses. Nidec is comprised of approximately 340 companies employing more than 110,000 people all over the world. Nidec.com
The U.S. MOTORS® brand of Nidec Motor Corporation encompasses a complete line of general and special purpose commercial and industrial motors from 1/3 horsepower through 4000 horsepower for a wide variety of applications. Since 1908, the U.S. MOTORS brand has stood for exceptional product reliability and performance. It is one of the oldest and most trusted brands in the motor industry and is recognized worldwide as the mark of leadership and technological innovation. USMotors.com
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.
Manufacturer
CCEI Taps Benoit Masse for Sales

CCEI is pleased to announce Benoit Masse as the company’s new Sales Director for Canada. Masse has over 35 years of experience in the pool industry, including 20 years at Hayward, which has given him the opportunity to develop true expertise in everything from technical service, commercial pool construction, as well as a deep understanding of distribution.
“Benoit brings CCEI in-depth industry knowledge which will be tremendously important as he supports our customers and partners across Canada,” says Martin Grenier, VP of CCEI’s North American operations. Benoit can be reached at [email protected].
www.ccei-pool.com/us/
424-800-2191
Pool News4 weeks agoLeslie’s Files Chapter 11, Lenders Set to Take Control in Major Restructuring
Pool Equipment4 weeks agoAquaLink® EDGE™ and trackr iO Signal a New Direction for Pool Automation
Pool News6 days agoSacred Geometry: Where Architecture, Mathematics and Mosaics Collide
Features4 weeks agoA New Era at POOLCORP: John Watwood Focuses on Customers and the Fundamentals
Pool News3 weeks agoShasta Pools Hires 30-Year Builder to Head Residential Construction
Industry News4 weeks agoWatershape University Announces Fall 2026 Session in San Diego
Retail4 weeks agoNasdaq to Suspend Trading in Leslie’s Stock on October 6
Pool News6 days agoAnatomy of a Botched Remodel: What Sank the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Restoration?
























You must be logged in to post a comment Login