Latham Group, a designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools and pool accessories in North America, Australia and New Zealand, has signed on as an official sponsor of USA Artistic Swimming, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of artistic swimming in the United States. Latham stated the partnership aims to inspire families to explore the enjoyment and confidence that grow from time spent in the water.
“Latham is proud to support USA Artistic Swimming because everything the sport represents mirrors our company’s mission and the inspiration behind our products,” said Sean Gadd, president and CEO of Latham. “These athletes embody the joy and possibility that pools and swimming bring to families and communities, and we’re honored to help champion their journey.”
Artistic swimming demands total control and focus. Athletes train to hold their breath underwater, stay in perfect sync with their teammates and perform lifts and acrobatic moves that have become a trademark of the sport. They blend dance, strength, creativity and technical skill while making it look simple. The national team trains more than 50 hours a week, underscoring the level of discipline the sport requires.
“We are so appreciative for sponsors like Latham for really believing in us, our organization and our dream,” said Megan Abarca, senior national team head coach — USA Artistic Swimming. “We know without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we do every day to be able to compete our best.”
The brand’s sponsorship of USA Artistic Swimming presents an opportunity for Latham to use its national footprint to generate awareness and excitement for the sport, while promoting the features and options of Latham pools demonstrated through the pageantry and artistry of the Olympic team. Throughout the coming year, Latham will share this message by highlighting the stories of USA Artistic Swimming Olympic athletes and how they discovered their love of swimming. These stories will appear on the company’s website, social channels and in its advocacy work around swimming education and water safety.
“At USA Artistic Swimming, we understand how early water confidence shapes everything from athletic ability to self-expression,” said Adam Andrasko, CEO of USA Artistic Swimming. “For many of our athletes, a backyard pool is where their journeys began — where they first put their faces in the water, learned to float and discovered the freedom that comes from feeling weightless. Latham’s support will help us to inspire the next generation to find delight and self-expression in the water.”
Massey Services to sponsor the Orlando Economic Partnership
The Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) revealed Massey Services as the new lead sponsor and supporter of the partnership’s Public Leadership Institute (PLI), a nonpartisan leadership development program designed to cultivate the next generation of civic, business and nonprofit leaders shaping Central Florida’s future. This announcement came on the same day that the program graduates a cohort of leaders.
Forty-four leaders completed the current program, which started in October of 2025, and equips emerging and established leaders with the knowledge, relationships and regional perspective needed to engage effectively in public policy, community development and collaborative problem-solving. Through immersive learning and direct engagement with policymakers and subject-matter experts, participants gain a deeper understanding of how local decisions impact economic growth, workforce development, housing, transportation and quality of life.
“We are proud to partner with the Orlando Economic Partnership and their Public Leadership Institute, which will help build strong leadership for the future of our city,” said Tony Massey, president and CEO of Massey Services. “Orlando is projected to continue to experience significant growth, and we need to have exceptional leaders with forward-thinking vision that are able to guide thoughtful, data-driven decisions for our community.”
The program includes two distinct tracks:
- Political Leadership Track: Designed for aspiring elected leaders who are exploring candidacy for public office within the next five years.
- Civic Leadership Track: A new pathway for leaders who want to influence public policy as advocates, board members or community connectors without pursuing office.
Together, the two tracks create a pipeline of informed connected leaders prepared to collaborate across industries and jurisdictions, a critical need as the Orlando region continues to grow rapidly. No commitment is required to run for office; rather, the non-partisan program is designed for individuals who are actively exploring opportunities.
“Developing strong, informed and collaborative leaders is essential to delivering on Orlando’s long-term success,” said Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership. “The Public Leadership Institute is a cornerstone of our efforts to build civic alignment and equip leaders with the tools to address complex regional challenges. We are grateful to Massey Services for stepping forward as lead sponsor and investing in the leadership capacity that will help drive Orlando’s future.”
AED Foundation raises more than $485K at 10th Annual Gala and Live Auction
The Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF) celebrated the success of its 10th Annual Gala and Live Auction, held Jan. 19, 2026, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, during the AED 2026 Summit.
Presented by AEDF and RB Global, this year’s gala embraced a new format, featuring a formal seated dinner, and carried the festive theme “Diamonds and Denim.” The event brought together more than 650 industry leaders, members and supporters from across the equipment industry, raising more than $485,000 to fund critical initiatives supporting workforce development, technical training and industry research.
The evening featured a live auction hosted by RB Global, a silent auction and numerous networking opportunities. Proceeds from the gala directly support the Foundation’s three pillars: accreditation and recognition, career promotion and industry research.
“We are incredibly proud of the support shown by our members and industry partners,” said AED Foundation chairman Ron Barlet, president of Bejac Corp. “The success of this gala really shows the strength and generosity of our industry. The funds raised will help the foundation expand industry research, workforce development programs, support technical training and certifications and ensure we have a skilled workforce for years to come.”
The Gala also recognized individuals and companies making outstanding contributions to the AED Foundation’s mission:
- Foundation Partner Award: George Russell and Bill Hoeg, Machinery Advisors Consortium — honored for distinguished service and significant contributions to the Foundation’s professional education goals.
- Foundation Champion Award: Eric Winkler, Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc. — recognized for exceptional contributions to workforce development initiatives.
- Lester J. Heath III Award: Karmen Warner, SkillsUSA Washington — celebrating outstanding support of the Foundation’s education, accreditation and workforce programs.
- VitalEdge Workforce Innovator Award: Ron Barlet, Bejac Corporation; Diane Benck, West Side Tractor Sales Co.; Walter Berry, Berry Companies, Inc.; Bill Buckles, Murphy Tractor and Equipment Co.; Whit Perryman, Vermeer Texas-Louisiana; Jeffrey Scott, Scott Machinery Company; Ken Taylor, Ohio CAT; Tim Watters, Hoffman Equipment Co. — honoring those who championed workforce initiatives and advanced the AED Foundation Vision campaign.
Vikram Savkar, CEO of VitalEdge, emphasized the real-world impact of these efforts, noting that “every call, every conversation and every commitment turns into real progress — more accredited programs, stronger advocacy for federal investment and more students inspired. Every bid in the silent and live auctions helps advance our mission to ensure a skilled, prepared workforce for the equipment industry.”
The Gala also recognized the 2026 AED Foundation Knapheide Technicians of the Year, honoring outstanding technicians from across the country for their expertise, dedication and contributions to the field.
- Shawn Hardy, Finning, West Canada Region
- Coker Moeller, RDO Equipment Co., Great Lakes Region
- Joshua Baraga, Ohio CAT, Midwest Region
- Dana Cameron, Frank Martin Sons, Inc., Northeast Region
- Christopher Lejeune, Ditch Witch of South Louisiana, South Central Region
- Zach Hickman, Bobcat of Knoxville, Southeast Region
- Andrew Taylor, Thompson Machinery, Southeast Region
- Austin Fischer, Shafer Equipment Company, Inc., West Region
- Blair Pollard, Kensington Agricultural Service Ltd., Eastern Canada
“Technicians don’t just repair what’s broken — they keep businesses and communities moving forward,” said Chris Rolsen, Knapheide vice president of fleet sales. “Today, we celebrate their pride, precision and perseverance, and we are proud to recognize their hard work through the AEDF Technicians of the Year Awards.”
Harmon and Sons celebrates 40th anniversary
Harmon and Sons, a family-owned and operated landscaping and property maintenance company rooted in Plymouth, Mass., is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of consistent growth and craftsmanship in the communities it serves across the South Shore and Cape Cod. The 40th anniversary year will be marked by special milestones and reflections on the company’s history, as Harmon & Sons looks ahead to continued growth while staying true to its family-owned roots.
Founded in 1985 by Mark Harmon, initially as a small, part-time handyman operation, the company launched with a narrow list of services and side projects that included painting and landscaping. The evenings and weekends worked quickly evolved into a full-time family business as Mark’s father, Hollis Harmon, joined him in the early 1990s, followed soon after by Mark’s brother, Shawn. Together, three generations laid the foundation for the company.
By the mid-1990s, Harmon and Sons had expanded its landscaping and painting services and developed a growing client base throughout the region. In 2000, the next generation officially joined the business when Mark’s son, Andy Harmon, came on board, ushering in a new chapter focused on long-term growth and expanded service offerings. In 2004, Mark left his other job to devote himself fully to the company, a turning point that accelerated Harmon and Sons’ trajectory.
“Being part of Harmon and Sons isn’t just my career, it’s my family’s story,” said Andy Harmon. “As we celebrate 40 years, I’m proud of how the company has evolved while staying true to the values my father founded it on, and I’m excited about where the next generation will take us.”
As demand increased, the business outgrew its home-based operations and relocated to its first dedicated location at Camelot Park in 2008–2009. By 2010, Harmon and Sons had become a trusted name for comprehensive landscaping services, adding irrigation, hardscaping and landscape construction to its core offerings.
In 2015, hardscape design and construction became a major focus, further strengthening the company’s reputation for full-service exterior solutions. In 2020, Harmon and Sons officially incorporated as Harmon and Sons, Inc., a milestone year made even more meaningful by the company’s ability to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the years, Harmon and Sons has been recognized throughout the region. The company was named to the “Cape and Plymouth Businesses to Watch” list in 2024 and was recently recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” for 2025. Earlier honors include BOSS Awards for Property Management in 2018 and being voted the “No. 1 Landscape Company in the Region” in a 2019 Wicked Local Readers’ Choice poll, among numerous other industry and community accolades earned over the decades.
“As we celebrate 40 years, we’re incredibly grateful to our employees, clients and communities who have supported us along the way,” said Mark Harmon, founder of Harmon and Sons. “What began as a small family operation has grown into something we’re deeply proud of — and our clients are as well. We’re excited to keep building for the next generation.”
Brinly-Hardy Co. announces Precision Work as new non-exclusive distributor for its Spyker Spreaders brand
Brinly-Hardy Company, a provider of lawn care, garden equipment and outdoor attachments and accessories, announced the appointment of Precision Work as a new non-exclusive distributor for its Spyker Spreaders brand.
Under the agreement, Precision Work will represent Spyker Spreaders to Outdoor Power Equipment Dealer and Independent Rental Houses throughout the Northeastern U.S., strengthening the brand’s regional footprint and customer support.
Precision Work will be responsible for sales, dealer support and dealer development across the region. With a well-established presence and deep market expertise, the company will help deliver faster response times, enhanced local support and increased access to the full Spyker Spreaders product portfolio.
“We are excited to welcome Precision Work, Inc. as our new distributor for the Northeast,” said Roger Beames, sales director of Brinly-Hardy Company. “Their strong regional relationships and proven track record make them an ideal partner as we continue to grow our presence and better serve dealers in this important region.”
The appointment is effective immediately. Customers in the Northeast may now contact Precision Work directly for sales inquiries, product information and support.
“We are proud to represent Spyker Spreaders in the Northeastern U.S.,” said Sean Patterson, brand development manager of Precision Work. “Spyker’s products align well with our portfolio, and we look forward to delivering added value and expanded solutions to customers throughout the region.”
