In The News: March 4, 2010

SmartPool Announces New Management Team

Joe Dubrofsky, owner of SmartPool, recently announced plans to take a more active role in his Lakewood, N.J., company. "I have always been involved day to day, but recently I decided I needed to reshuffle the management team and take over as CEO," he says. Dubrofsky also hired Marchal De Pasquale as vice president of sales and marketing. Both moves are effective immediately.

De Pasquale's previous experience includes a stint at Hayward, where he served as director of marketing for that company's robotic cleaners and aboveground products, both areas of expertise that appealed to Dubrofsky.

"We're looking to continue to increase our market share in robotic cleaners," Dubrofsky says. "And we were looking for somebody that understands and is familiar with the technology we're using. I think our new technology intrigued him, too."

SmartPool sells a wide range of pool-related products, including robotic cleaners, solar heaters, lights, alarms, chlorinators and water-treatment products.

State of the Industry Survey Update

AQUA would like to thank the more than 700 industry professionals who took the time to take part in our State of the Industry survey. We've garnered some great results and are working hard at putting together an informative May issue.

Special congratulations are in order to John Delk, Cookeville, Tenn.; Rod Ogilvie, Miramar Beach, Fla.; and Frank Jackson, Spartanburg, S.C., the State of the Industry iPod touch winners. Fifty additional respondents will receive AQUA t-shirts. Thank you again to all who participated.

Hot Tub Council Convenes Work Groups

The Hot Tub Council of APSP formed several committees this past January at the Atlantic City Pool and Spa Show, focusing on education, research, promotion, advocacy and membership.

"Committees provide a focus and a way to share the workload among all HTC members," says APSP staff liaison Lauren Stack. "It's also a way for APSP members to get involved on a specific issue without serving on the council itself."

Steve Gorlin chairs the education committee; Anthony Pasquarelli chairs the research committee; Greg Lowe chairs the promotion committee; John Schrenk chairs the advocacy committee; and Chris Robinson chairs the membership committee.

Each committee seeks members from outside the Hot Tub Council. For more information, contact Lauren Stack at lstack@apsp.org.