APSP Announces Board Leadership for 2011

Release Date: August 11th, 2010

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals has announced its slate of officers for the Association’s Board of Directors. The Association’s national nominating committee has selected the following members to serve on the 2011 executive committee of the board of directors:

Chairman: Kathleen Carlson, senior vice president, sales & marketing for Seattle-area Aqua Quip has been selected as chairman. Carlson is currently chairman-elect and she served on the Retail Council for 11 years, including roles as chairman of the council and representative to the Board. Carlson has also been instrumental in establishing and growing the APSP’s Career Institute. Carlson has more than 30 years experience in the industry.

Chairman-elect: Joe Amato, president and CEO of Amato Industries, Inc., based in Silver Spring, Md., has been selected as chairman-elect. His is currently secretary/treasurer. Amato has been active in the Mid-Atlantic chapter, government relations and in Region 2 leadership since the mid-’80s.

The selection process for Secretary/Treasurer and optional Executive Board Fifth Member is not yet complete.

The current chairman of the board of directors, Charlie Schobel, will retain a seat on the executive committee as past-chairman. Schobel is Vice President / General Manager of BioLab Inc. The slate of officers will be confirmed at the annual members’ meeting at the International Pool|Spa|Patio Expo in Las Vegas in November and will serve one-year terms.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the largest international trade association representing the swimming pool, spa and hot tub industry. APSP’s mission is promoting consumer safety and enhancing the business success of its members. Members adhere to a code of business ethics and share a commitment to public health and safety in the use of pools, spas and hot tubs. APSP member companies include manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers’ agents, designers, builders, installers, retailers, and service professionals. For more information visit www.APSP.org.