Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Announces 2024 Greg Garrett Scholarship Award Winners

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance has awarded the 2024 Greg Garrett Scholarship to Matthew Ryther, service manager at Acqua Pura Pool Service Inc., and Jeff Johnson, president of Midwest Pools LLC. The winners were honored during an awards ceremony at the 2025 World Aquatic Health Conference in Atlantic City.

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 to PHTA members in the builder or service sector. Thanks to a matching sponsorship from Periodic Products, Inc., two winners were recognized this year.

Ryther, who received the scholarship sponsored by Periodic Products, Inc., has been heavily involved in PHTA for over five years. He has earned several professional certifications, including Certified Pool & Spa Operator, Certified Service Technician and Certified Advanced Pool Builder Professional. He also serves as a volunteer on the PHTA Service Council and the PHTA-11 Standard Writing Committee.

Ryther plans to put the scholarship toward the two GENESIS pool design courses he needs to earn his Certified Expert Pool Builder & Design Professional certification.

Johnson, who received the scholarship sponsored by PHTA, has a passion for learning more about the pool industry — a passion that he shares with his staff at Midwest Pools. Johnson serves as a mentor, role model and advocate for those new to the industry and is always willing to share his knowledge.

He recently became a Certified Master Pool Builder & Design Professional and will use this scholarship to complete additional PHTA and GENESIS courses.

For more information about the scholarship, visit phta.org/garrett-award.