At the news that Lawrence Caniglia is taking the lead spot at the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, industry experts familiar with him expressed a positive outlook and high expectations.
Caniglia just completed his tenure as executive director of the Northeast Spa and Pool Association at the group’s trade show in late January. He leaves with high marks after 14 years leading arguably the most robust regional association.
It was announced in December that Caniglia, who originally planned to start a new business after leaving NESPA, will take the helm as APSP’s president/CEO.
Reception has been positive overall. Some appreciate his industry background, expecting it to give him a running start at the new post.
While transitioning to a national association will no doubt require some adjustments, many consider Caniglia’s regional experience a virtue. He understands the needs, priorities and concerns of APSP’s regional groups, they say, which will help him pull everybody together. “He’s probably going to have … more credibility and trust with them to help harmonize and work with them,” said John O’Brien, CEO of retail/service franchiser Poolwerx.
Managing a smaller group, Caniglia worked closely with individual members, said long-time NESPA member John Romano. “Larry goes into the job being armed with grassroots sensibilities, and that’s what APSP has been lacking,” said the president of All American Custom Pools and Spas in Norwalk, Conn. “That’s a great perspective … in terms of reaching out and increasing membership.”
Romano and others would like Caniglia to boost membership, particularly among retailers, service technicians and builders. Taking it a step further, one retailer hopes he can attract more member involvement on a national level. “I think Region 1 has always done a good job in their volunteerism,” said Howard Weiss, general manager of Gaithersburg, Md.-based Contemporary Watercrafters. “I hope he can take that volunteer spirit to our regions nationwide.”
Education also ranks high on the list of priorities for many. NESPA’s education program has long stood in high regard. Not only do the programs hold value, observers say, but they engage members. “The attendees are more interested in education, they take it seriously, they’re interactive and ask a lot of questions,” said Scott Cohen, an industry instructor and owner of Green Scene Landscaping & Swimming Pools in Northridge, Calif.
Observers believe Caniglia’s experience here will transfer. “And if there’s one thing our industry needs, if not more importantly than anything else, [it is] national accredited and recognized training and pathways for young people to create careers in our industry,” O’Brien said.
Others would like to see APSP benefit from Caniglia’s experience in government relations and advocacy. Among the accomplishments, he and other key members of the team initiated licensing legislation in Connecticut and New York. They also educated and negotiated with inspectors and other government officials to help alleviate some of the mistaken interpretations that take place in the field.
But APSP faces some competitive factors, as it and the National Swimming Pool Foundation increasingly overlap in services. In addition to his experience in education and government advocacy, Caniglia brings with him plenty of goodwill. Those who have worked with him believe this can help the group navigate this competition. “Given his background, it will be interesting to see how those two organizations work together or don’t work together in the education space,” O’Brien said. “The last thing our industry needs is competition for that space.”
But there are those who have been unhappy with APSP, and believe Caniglia has challenges to face. Some believe the group is playing catch-up in certain areas, such as in the West, where it has recently hired a staffer after years without regional management there.
“He definitely has his work cut out for him,” said Dick Covert, executive director of Master Pools Guild in Richmond, Va.
Additionally, NESPA’s engaged membership has long supplied much of APSP’s volunteer base, so it has been well represented on councils and committees. Some, speaking off the record, worried about NESPA receiving favorable treatment with its former head in charge.
More than anything, people hope Caniglia can unify the industry and its associations to work with one mission.
“There are so many fractures with the various organizations,” Covert said. “I hope that [Caniglia] brings some clarity, and they can all start working together.”
