The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, has awarded the 2025 Greg Garrett Scholarship to Chad Bland, owner of Pool Certs, and McKenna Paschell, aquatic facilities designer at Absolute Pool Care, LLC. The winners were honored during an awards ceremony at the 2025 International Pool Spa Patio Expo in Las Vegas, Nev., on October 21, 2025.
Given in the memory of Greg Garrett, who dedicated 45 years to the pool and hot tub industry and served in many leadership roles, this $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually by the PHTA Recreational Water & Air Quality Committee (RWAQC) to PHTA members in the builder or service sector. The scholarship funds may be used towards PHTA educational or certification fees to increase professionalism and provide an opportunity for continuing education. Thanks to a matching sponsorship from Periodic Products, Inc., two winners were recognized this year.
“Periodic Products is honored to partner with PHTA to recognize these two individuals who embody the values that Greg Garrett stood for: curiosity, professionalism, and a passion for learning,” says Joe Laurino, Ph.D., president and CEO of Periodic Products, Inc. “Chad Bland and McKenna Paschell truly stood out among the applicants this year with their clear dedication to continuing education, not only for their individual careers but to help improve the industry as a whole.”
L-R: PHTA President & CEO Sabeena Hickman, CAE; Periodic Products, Inc. President & CEO Joe Laurino, PhD; Chad Bland; PHTA Board Chair Scott Frost, Heritage Pool Supply Group
Bland, who received the scholarship sponsored by PHTA, has been a PHTA member for 5 years. Through his involvement with the association, he became a Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) Instructor and has already trained more than 6,000 new professionals entering the industry. This role has led to Bland becoming a trusted leader committed to safety and excellence in aquatics.
Having been personally mentored by Greg Garrett, whose approach to continuing education made a lasting impact, Bland understands the depth of the aquatics industry and the value of learning directly from those who have shaped it.
With this $5,000 scholarship, Bland plans to earn both his Certified Pool & Spa Service Technician (CST) and Certified Builder Professional (CBP) designations through PHTA. He sees professional certifications as not just personal milestones, but tools to better serve his students, his clients, and the industry as a whole.
L-R: PHTA President & CEO Sabeena Hickman, CAE; Periodic Products, Inc. President & CEO Joe Laurino, PhD; McKenna Paschell; PHTA Board Chair Scott Frost, Heritage Pool Supply Group
Paschell, who received the scholarship sponsored by Periodic Products, Inc., has always been drawn to aquatics. She spent her childhood summers by the pool and her winters designing waterparks on her computer. She became a lifeguard when she was 15 years old and was managing more than 40 aquatic facilities by the time she was 22.
At Absolute Pool Care, Paschell plays a key role in taking clients’ visions and turning them into reality. She understands that the importance of the more technical aspects of our industry, such as hydraulics and construction, are key to client satisfaction and help to create efficient, sustainable, and innovative aquatic facilities.
With this $5,000 scholarship, Paschell plans to earn her CBP and further develop her skills in pool construction and design. She is committed to ensuring the highest standards of pool construction quality and raising industry standards throughout New Jersey and beyond.
For more information about the Greg Garrett Scholarship Award, please visit phta.org/garrett-award or contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Director of Content and Communications, at [email protected] or (703) 838-0083, ext. 121.
