JED Pool Tools, manufacturer of swimming pool maintenance equipment and accessories, was pleased to recently receive a ‘Customer Excellence Award’ from Estes Freight company, the largest privately held freight transportation company in North America. This award recognizes customers that demonstrate strong shipment values, revenue growth, and foster a collaborative relationship. This award celebrates a few select customers for outstanding engagement, enabling a strategic partnership, and committing to mutual success.

“We’re pleased to earn such high recognition from a leader like Estes,” said Glenn Jonelunas Manager of Warehouse Operations at JED Pool Tools. “We’re honored to be recognized for this award, which is a reflection of the well-established and trusted partnership we’ve built together.”

The Estes Customer Excellence Award was created to recognize and celebrate customers who exemplify outstanding collaboration, commitment and service.  Estes presented JED Pool Tools with a celebratory cake and plaque.  

About JED Pool Tools

JED Pool Tools has been making high-quality pool tools and pool accessories in the USA for 30 years. JED Pool Tools sells over 400 different products including residential and commercial skimmers, leaf rakes, poles, wall brushes and vacuum heads as well as hoses and through-wall skimmer parts.  JED is a family-run company with 3-generations of Heyen family working for the company and is committed to creating and providing jobs for residents of Scranton, PA. JED isproud of and committed to manufacturing in the USA, many it its own facility in Scranton, PA. To learn more about the company and its products visit www.JEDPoolTools.com.

About Estes

Estes is North America’s largest privately owned freight carrier. As an asset-based transportation provider with a global footprint, Estes combines nearly a century of regional freight shipping expertise with the resources, reach, and reliability of a national carrier. Backed by its more than 300 North American terminals and nearly 7,000 next-day lanes, as well as its fleet of more than 10,500 tractors, Estes is committed to getting America’s freight where it needs to go, when it needs to get there. And with its continued investment in leading-edge technology, as well as the support of its more than 24,000 employees.  To learn more about Estes visit www.estes-express.com.

MONROEVILLE, PA – RB Retail & Service Solutions software, supplier of business software designed specifically for the pool and spa industry, is pleased to announce it has hired Taylor Sleeman as the company’s new Business Sales Consultant. In this new role, Sleeman partners with pool and spa companies to help them modernize and grown their business operations. “I take a consultative approach to sales by focusing on understanding each company’s challenges and aligning these needs with the RB Retail & Service software tools to improve efficiency and profitability for pool and spa businesses,” says Sleeman who has over 10 years of sales experience and a proven track record of helping businesses adopt technology that drives measurable growth.  

“We are very pleased to have Taylor on our team as she has already connected with many pool and spa businesses to help adopt and implement our industry-specific software for the 2026 season,” says Rachael Pritz, Vice President for the company.  “She is already an invaluable asset to our company.”  To contact Taylor and learn more about how RB Retail & Service Solutions software can help your pool and spa business this coming season, email [email protected].

866-933-9099

Monroeville, PA

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is pleased to announce that Scott Frost has been appointed as Chairman of the Board for 2026. Frost is President of Heritage Pool Supply Group, the fastest growing pool supplies distributor in the industry.

Frost has more than 30 years of experience in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry and has been a member of the PHTA Board of Directors since the unification in 2019. He previously served as Board Treasurer from 2022-2024.

Frost joined Heritage Pool Supply Group in 2025 after more than three decades with Zodiac Pool Systems and Fluidra North America. He is known for driving growth, strengthening partnerships, and leading top-performing sales and marketing teams. Frost is now leading Heritage’s expansion and innovation with a focus on delivering long-term value for the company’s team, partners, and customers. As Chair of the PHTA Board of Directors, Frost is committed to fulfilling the association’s core pillars to educate, advocate, and elevate the pool, spa, and hot tub industry.

PHTA is also pleased to announce its Executive Committee for 2026:

•. Chair-Elect: Gregory Claffey, Pentair Pool
•. Treasurer: Stuart Baker, Hayward Holdings, Inc.
•. Secretary: Caley Golding, Gib-San Pool & Landscape Creations
•. Immediate Past Chair: Donna Williams, POOLCORP

PHTA’s Board Members at Large include:

•. Kyle Chaikin, The Chaikin Ultimate Group
•. Tim Colon, Pools of Fun
•. Greg Howard, Carecraft
•. Joe Laurino, Ph.D., Periodic Products, Inc.
•. Ted Lawrence, BioLab / KIK Consumer Products
•. Matthew McDermott, Heritage Pool Supply Group
•. Kevin Post, Counsilman-Hunsaker
•. Steve Stigers, Watkins Wellness
•. Jon Viner, Fluidra
•. Alan Walker, Anthony & Sylvan Pools
•. Paul Yates, Teserra Outdoors

“The professionals serving on the 2026 PHTA Board of Directors are known leaders who inspire those around them to excel,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “Scott Frost’s vast experience in the industry overall and with PHTA specifically means that he deeply understands the needs of our members. I know he will guide the organization with passion and enthusiasm, and I am excited for everything to come in 2026.”

For more information, please contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Director of Content and Communications, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083, ext. 121. 

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with over 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our 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.