APSP is taking on a new president/CEO — and it has chosen to hire from within the industry.
Lawrence Caniglia, the outgoing executive director of the Northeast Spa and Pool Association, will take the helm in February, after he works his last NESPA trade show in Atlantic City, N.J.
Current APSP President/CEO Rich Gottwald will remain with the organization and help with the transition until his contract expires in June, said APSP Chairman Chris Curcio.
Gottwald has been credited by many for steering APSP into the black after its budget had gone awry for several years. In the past, some have gone so far as to say he kept the organization from the brink of shutting down. He also grew membership by 20 percent.
“It’s just a natural progression,” Curcio said. “Rich was brought in on a three-to-five-year time schedule to meet certain goals, and a major piece was a turnaround effort for APSP. Fortunately for APSP, he completed that role very successfully. Now that APSP had a positive operating cash flow last year, we’re on to the next phase, looking to invest into all the needs of our constituents and industry.”
Caniglia comes to the president/CEO position after 14 years leading one of the largest and most active regional associations in the pool and spa industry, with 850 member companies. He had announced in summer that he would be leaving NESPA to pursue his own business with a colleague in association management. While that was the genuine intention, Caniglia said, he threw his hat in the ring for the new position after APSP approached him about it. For his part, Curcio said Caniglia had already announced his departure when APSP inquired its president/CEO spot.
With NESPA, he particularly made his mark in government advocacy, having promoted licensing requirements now seen in Connecticut and certain counties in New York, and possibly in New Jersey, if state legislature passes a bill currently on the books. Under Caniglia’s stewardship, the organization took the regulatory offensive, approaching legislatures to pass licensing laws, as well as standing on the defensive against proposed bills that could affect home-improvement industries. Before going into association management, Caniglia practiced law for 21 years. APSP seeks to leverage this experience as it increases its government relations efforts, particularly in California and the west, and continues its work in standards writing.
Caniglia also oversaw an organization known for one of the most robust educational programs among regional groups. APSP’s board of directors expects that experience to come in handy as he leads the implementation of a multi-million-dollar education initiative that the group rolled out earlier this year.
Having already built long relationships with many of APSP’s affiliates and collaborators also helped, the group said. “Larry’s really a natural choice for us,” Curcio said.
Caniglia also knows APSP’s staff very well, as he’s worked with them on various committees and collaborative efforts over the years.
Curcio said that Caniglia will largely carry out programs begun during Gottwald’s tenure, such as the education initiative. The leadership change does not signal a relocation, restaffing or any other major moves, he added.
Caniglia is a certified association executive who was recognized in 2016 as the Distinguished member of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic Society of Association Executives.
Caniglia and his wife will maintain their residence near NESPA’s Hamilton, N.J. headquarters, but he will work out of APSP’s Alexandria, Va., offices three days a week. He will work from his home office in New Jersey the other two.
As for the Caniglia’s replacement, a new NESPA executive director also has been chosen. Dominick Mondi begins with the organization at its flagship event, the Pool & Spa Show Powered by NESPA, the week of Jan. 22 in Atlantic City, N.J.
He expects Caniglia’s move to benefit NESPA as much as it does APSP. “It’s a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship between NESPA and APSP,” Mondi said. “He’s obviously leaving NESPA in a great condition. I think it’s a win for the industry at the national level and here on a regional level. There’s a lot to be excited about.
