With a new franchisee, Poolwerx has added a eighth state to its current service area. It also has created the new positions of chief innovation officer and chief technology officer.

The new mobile-only operation will serve Rome, Ga., and be run by Josh Jenkins. He comes from outside the pool/spa industry. The trained pharmacist serves as market health and wellness director with Walmat and owns a Jimmy John's restaurant franchise and a property-management company.

Jenkins' business partner, Daniel Payne, will manage daily operations in the Poolwerx territory.

The other seven states served by Poolwerx include Texas, Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Originated in Brisbane, Australia, the company has more than 150 stores and 550 service vehicles globally. It is seeking qualified franchise candidates across Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and the Northeast.

Poolwerx' new chief innovation officer, Shannon O’Brien, is charged with defining the company’s innovation pipeline to help expand its global reach. The son of company CEO John O’Brien, he will be based in New York after working in London, Sydney and Brisbane at Deloitte Digital, Grey London, and Mediabrands. His past clients include Procter & Gamble, Volvo, GlaxoSmithKline, Bank of America, and the European insurer AXA.

“Since founding Poolwerx, a key part of our ongoing growth is to constantly evolve and invest in innovation. This ensures we stay ahead of our competitors and honor our key values like ‘dare to succeed’ and ‘find the better way,” John O’Brien said.

The company also recently hired its first chief technology officer, Russell Inserra, to build the brand’s technology infrastructure and enhance products and services to best anticipate changing client needs. He has more than 20 years of corporate experience with executive roles across finance, operations, sales and marketing for brands like Ready Plan retail insurance and Hannan Group in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.