Dan Lavelle, 39

Director of sales
Orange County Pools & Spas
New Windsor, New York

When Dan Lavelle left his nearly decade-long career in education in 2021, he had no plans to become one of the top hot tub sales leaders in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. But when pandemic demand for hot tubs and swim spas skyrocketed, his cousin Vincent Moscatello, owner of Orange County Pools & Spas, invited him to join the family business as a spa specialist.

“I had no industry experience, but it proved to be a great fit,” Lavelle says. By late 2022, he was promoted to director of sales — a title that only hints at his responsibilities. Alongside leading a sales team of 10-15, Lavelle remains the company’s top individual salesperson by revenue, heads marketing efforts and serves as its primary content creator.

That same year, he launched the Dan the Spa Man YouTube channel after noticing a lack of helpful, honest product videos. “I take a simple, no-frills approach — one take, no editing, just me talking about the model for five to eight minutes,” he explains. The straightforward reviews have since amassed nearly 200,000 views, and customers now call the store asking for him by name.

But Lavelle’s biggest triumph isn’t professional — it’s personal. When he first joined the company, he was navigating some difficult challenges in his life. “Choosing sobriety was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it completely transformed my outlook,” he says. With the support of his family and company, he committed to change and growth — and is now nearly three years sober, more than doubling his sales since year one. “I’m deeply grateful. It quite literally saved my life.”

Lavelle wants to grow the company into the leading hot tub and swim spa dealer in his region, expand his online reach to 1 million total views and eventually step into a leadership role as the next generation of his family retires. “If I’ve earned that responsibility, I’ll take it on with deep respect for our legacy,” he says.

Beyond the industry, Lavelle is a history buff with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the subject. He plays in a year-round men’s basketball league and spends most of his free time with his 8-year-old son, John — who loves visiting the showroom to test hot tubs and swim spas.