Scott Rajeski is President and CEO of Latham the Pool Company in Latham, NY.
Latham, the Pool Company is the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools, pool covers and accessories, including Fiberglass and Vinyl Liner pools. Latham holds the number one market position in North America in each of their product categories, including their fastest growing line of pools, Fiberglass. The company has also expanded into Australia and New Zealand and have been in business for over 65 years, which started right here in Latham back in 1956 as Pacific Pools.
Latham was one of the Capital Region businesses who did well during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, they hired almost 400 employees to assist with their business and today, are still looking to hire another 300 to join their team, half of which are here in Latham and Scotia, NY. Latham is looking to hire employees on all levels, including production positions at their headquarters in Latham. Departments include executive, legal, finance, HR, manufacturing, sales, engineering, customer service, order entry, design, marketing, information technology and more. Latham currently employs nearly 350 people between their three local facilities here in the Capital Region alone. As a result of employee survey feedback, Latham is a 2021 Top Workplace award recipient through the Times Union in the large employer category.
Earlier this year, Latham launched an initial public offering (IPO) under the ticker symbol SWIM. Going public is being deemed not only a great achievement for the company, but also for the Capital Region as well. As a public company, Latham has the ability to generate awareness for a larger audience and garner new business with their global presence. Scott had the opportunity to ring the opening bell at NASDAQ in Times Square on the morning in went public - April 23, 2021.
Latham is a proud supporter of non-profits in the Capital Region and across North America. The company focuses its philanthropy on health related causes, such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Zero Men's Prostate Cancer Foundation and Men Go for Red with The American Heart Association. Additional organizations supported include: the Chamber Angels through the Albany-Colonie Chamber and Southern Colonie Chamber of Commerce, where Latham provides holiday gifts for young children and families in need in the Capital Region. Latham is also a supporter of Colin's Hope which focuses on water safety. May is water safety month and throughout the month, Latham focused blog and social media content on water safety awareness, education, and providing resources for swim safety.
Scott joined Latham in 2012 when he was hired as the CFO, responsible for global strategy. In 2017, Scott was appointed to President and CEO. Prior to joining Latham, Scott served as Director of Finance for GLOBALFOUNDRIES where he was a critical member of the start-up leadership team for FAB 8. He was also CFO of the Americas for Momentive Performance Materials and has held various senior financial leadership positions at GE in New York, Maine and South Carolina. A past Chairman of the Board for The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, Scott also served as Treasurer of the organization. In addition, he was a member of the WMHT (public access television) board for three years. Scott is a key supporter and fundraiser of The Southern Saratoga Chamber Angels, NYS Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, The American Cancer Society and WMHT.
Scott earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Clarkson University and a Bachelor's Degree in Math and Business Economics from SUNY Potsdam. He is a graduate of GE's Executive Finance Leadership Program and Finance Management Program and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
Listen to the full interview to learn more about Scott Rajeski and Latham the Pool Company, some of the products they manufacture and why they won the "Healthiest Employer" award from the Albany Business Review.
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