Congratulations to 2024 Awardee
Amy Rullo

Amy has been a consistently involved volunteer who has truly gone beyond expectations for her local chapter of Penn Jersey, and at the regional level with NESPA. We are so thankful for and proud of NESPA volunteers like Amy who continue to make a positive impact on our industry and set the standard for what true volunteerism looks like at NESPA.  Read more below.

About the Award

Paulette Pitrak “Above & Beyond” Award is NESPA’s highest volunteer recognition honoring members who have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to our association through their volunteer service.  

To be considered for the Above & Beyond Volunteer Recognition Award, the nominee must be a NESPA member in good standing who has exhibited extraordinary volunteer work during the current year.  The volunteer work can be done at either the Chapter or Region level. 

At the close of the nomination process, an independent panel of judges will review all nominations. The awardee(s) are recognized at The Pool & Spa Show.

Nominations for the 2025 Awardee will open in the Fall.  If you have any questions, reach out to Kelly McKelvey at KMcKelvey@nespapool.org.

---

Congratulations to the 2024 Awardee - Amy Rullo

Amy Rullo

• Biolab/KIK 
• Board of Directors, NESPA
• Chapter Board, Penn Jersey Pool and Spa Association

Amy’s Impact on NESPA

Amy's dedication to volunteering at both the Penn Jersey Chapter level and on the NESPA board is truly commendable. She doesn't just participate; she immerses herself fully in every initiative, tackling challenges head-on. Whether filling a leadership role, serving on a committee, or coordinating efforts, Amy consistently steps in to ensure that the job gets done.

During her tenure as Chair of the Education Committee and on the Executive Committee, Amy has exhibited her unwavering commitment to the members and her team. Her infectious passion for service reminds us all that our organization truly thrives because of its members. Amy embodies the spirit of her mentor, Paulette, keeping her memory alive through her relentless drive to volunteer, inspire others, and lead.

We are so thankful for and proud of NESPA volunteers like Amy, who continue to make a positive impact on our industry and set the standard for what true volunteerism looks like at NESPA.

Read more about Amy's volunteer service HERE

 

Past Awardees:

• 2023: Chas Bogardus

• 2022: Ed Cohen

• 2021: Kyle Chaikin

• 2020: Sheryl Heather

• 2019:  Roberto Romano

• 2018:  George Kazdin & Ron Falcioni

• 2017:  Raymond Rescildo

Paulette began her work in the pool and spa industry in 1988 as Manager of Education for the National Spa and Pool Institute.  Four years later she was recruited to join NESPA to spearhead our education program. 

Over the next twenty-four years, Paulette did more than develop and deliver essential education to the industry.  She built a culture where continued education and innovation was valued.  She brought boundless energy, tenacity and compassion to each project she worked on from solving a code question for a member to launching an industry wide education initiative.  Everything and everyone was important.

She was a resource for answers to the toughest questions on topics few others took the time to understand. More than anything she was happy to share that knowledge with others.   

Beyond technical learning, Paulette was simply passionate about the pool and spa industry.  From association members to volunteer leaders and from fellow staff to industry peers, she cared deeply about what mattered most to each person she spoke with on any given day.  Because of who she was and how much she cared about the industry, so many of those she worked with became true friends. 

Paulette passed away in the fall of 2016 while serving as Deputy Executive Director of NESPA.