“Latham traces its history back to legacy businesses that were all founded and developed by visionary leaders. Today, we value strong leadership, and are fortunate to have one of the industry’s most experienced management teams. Our goal is to develop tomorrow’s leaders that will drive the business to new heights.”

Mark P. Laven, President & CEO

Management Bios

Mark P. Laven – President & CEO

Mr. Laven has been associated with the company since 1975. Upon completion that year of his BS in Business Administration from Ithaca College, he joined his father, the company’s founder, and helped to grow the business. In 1982, he was a member of a group that acquired the company, and he served as President from 1987 until 1992. In December 2001 he joined with two private equity firms and acquired the Company from Cookson Group PLC, which had purchased the business from him in 1989. Currently, Mr. Laven also serves as a Director on the Board of the Company, and on the Board of the APSP (Association of Pool & Spa Professionals). A longtime safety advocate, in 2007 he represented the association and testified before a US Senate Subcommittee in the matter of the VGB Pool & Spa Safety Act.

Gary Whitcher – Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Whitcher rejoined Latham Plastics as VP Operations in June 2002 after the divestiture of the Material Handling Group from Cookson Plastic Molding. Most recently Whitcher was Sr. VP North American Operations responsible for dramatic improvements in productivity, on-time product delivery and customer service. Previously, during Cookson Whitcher was VP Operations for the Custom Molding and Material Handling Group. Prior to that he was Director of Operations for Wilson Greatbatch and VP of Manufacturing at Tulip Corporation. He has over thirty-five year’s injection and structural foam molding experience, and eleven years of pool products experience and has achieved ISO 9000 and 9001:2000 certification in many of his operating plants. Whitcher received a BS in Industrial Management from SUNY Buffalo.

Stephen Keane – Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Keane joined the company in July, 2010. As the CFO of four different portfolio companies, he has assisted private equity companies rebuild, fortify and sell middle market investments, primarily focused on manufacturing entities based in the northeastern US. Prior to his private equity experience, he has had a variety of financial positions such as VP Finance, Controller, Audit Manager and Staff Auditor at the General Electric Company and Hussmann International. He has a BS from the State University College at Oneonta, and an MBA from the State University at Albany.

Richard Piontkowski – Vice President, Sales, Packaged Pools

Mr. Piontkowski joining the company in July, 2010 held a number of senior level sales executive positions with successful private equity funded companies. As Sr. Vice President for Keystone Automotive, the largest US distributor of automotive after-market parts and accessories he initiated their rapid and profitable expansion into new market channels. At Prime Source Foodservice Equipment and also Edward Don & Company, Piontkowski reorganized sales and service delivery functions leading to expanded market share and profitable growth. Piontkowski is a graduate of Long Island University, with a BS in Criminology.

John McGough – Vice President, Human Resources

Mr. McGough joined Latham in June, 2011 and is responsible for human resources and environmental health & safety for its North American operations, including the USA and Canada Packaged Pools business, and its Viking and Coverstar operating units.  McGough has held senior HR leadership positions for over 25 years with Drug Plastics and Glass Company, Sermatech International, Sara Lee Household and Body Care (North America), Colgate-Palmolive (and The Mennen Company) and Brockway, Inc. (NY).  He is a graduate of Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Industrial Relations/Personnel Administration.

Tim Golden – President, Latham Splash, Canada

Mr. Golden joined the company in 2003 with the acquisition of Triac where he established that company’s U.S. manufacturing and sales facility in the U.S. In 2010 Golden was promoted to President, Latham Splash, Canada after his most recent assignment as Vice President, Kafko. Prior to his move to Kafko, Golden was responsible for Canadian manufacturing operations Prior to joining Triac, Golden held managerial positions with Technican Pacific Industries, Brantford, ON, Canada and Fox Pool Corporation, York, PA. Golden is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a degree in Political Science.

Tom Straub - President, Viking Pools LLC

Mr. Straub joined Viking Pools as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing in 2007 where he was responsible for growing an active dealer base throughout North America prior to assuming the presidency of Viking in the fall of 2010. Straub is known for his creative and pragmatic approach to developing new business and solving tough market related problems. He has a long and successful record of developing excellent sales and service organizations with private companies, including five years with Metal Sales Manufacturing and an additional ten years of progressively responsible senior executive positions within divisions of Euramax, Inc. Straub is a graduate of Miami University, Ohio with a BS in Business Administration, majoring in Purchasing/Procurement Management.

Doug Larson – President, Coverstar, Inc.

Mr. Larson first joined Coverstar in 1996 and has held numerous positions throughout the company. He was instrumental in developing the company’s electronic data systems, websites and quality control processes. Doug left the company to pursue opportunities with KPMG in Seattle, WA where he consulted with Fortune 500 companies throughout the Pacific Northwest. He then held a VP position with Washington Mutual / JP Morgan Chase. Doug returned to Coverstar in 2008 as Vice President & General Manager. He became president of Coverstar in October, 2009. Mr. Larson has a BA in International Relations and MBA from Brigham Young University.

Wendy Carpenter – VP of Customer Care & IT

Ms. Carpenter joined the company in July 2009 taking on the responsibility for evolving the IT organization to be a key contributor of the business. In April of 2011, she took on the additional responsibility over the Customer Care organization to work with them to build and develop a new level of world class service to continue improving our customer experiences.  The majority of her career was spent working for multiple GE Energy and GE Silicones businesses in various global leadership roles implementing, Web, ERP and Business Intelligence solutions. Her domain expertise primarily lies within driving business efficiencies and productivity improvement by utilizing her six sigma certification and driving process improvements aligned with IT solutions. She has a BS in Accounting/MIS and an MBA from Clarkson University.