If you’re a service technician, there’s no doubt you’ve heard of the Pleatco Perfect Pool Guy/Gal Contest. Each year, hundreds of dedicated pool and spa service professionals are nominated — by their clients, their peers or themselves — for the honor that goes to one guy and gal each year. The competition is fierce: To date, more than 600 service pros have entered the contest, and more than 40,000 votes have been tallied.
The winners were awarded with airfare, a hotel stay and entrance to the 2015 PSP Expo, entrance to Genesis’ Certified Service Professional Program, a special gala held in their honor and, of course, entry into the legendary Pleatco Perfect Pool Guy/Gal Hall of Fame.
So who are these lucky winners? Without further ado:
Your Pleatco Perfect Pool Guy 2015: John Oldfield, Gilroy, Calif.
Since 2005, John Oldfield has owned and managed his own commercial and residential service company, Oldfield Inc. Over the years, the company has grown and expanded its commercial and residential services, an achievement Oldfield credits to his philosophy of high-quality, professional work and a well-rounded industry education. He is a California-licensed contractor with a C61/D35 license and a C-53 Pool Builders License; he has also completed the Genesis Pool and Watershape Construction School.
In addition, Oldfield has established himself as an industry leader. He joined IPSSA in 2003, served as the chapter president for the Monterey Coast IPSSA group for four years and is currently in his second year as Director of Region 10 on IPSSA’s national board.
“I am still trying to put it into words,” Oldfield says. “I am just ecstatic and honored. I am shocked to receive national recognition for doing what I am supposed to be doing as part of my daily job.”
“John is an inspiring industry leader, and has had an amazing career working at every level within the profession. He is a true embodiment of a Perfect PoolGuy,” says Pleatco CEO Howard Smith.
In addition to the Perfect Pool Guy and Gal awards, Pleatco bestowed special honors to a handful of participants, including:
Susan Russell, Pleatco Lifetime Achievement Award 2015:
Susan Russell was thrown into the deep end of the pool industry at a young age by working at her family’s franchised retail store. She learned the business from the ground up and has been in the pool industry now for more than 32 years. She became a licensed contractor with the State of Florida in 2001 and also worked in distribution for 10 years. Susan discovered a passion for teaching CPO classes after becoming a Certified Pool Operator Instructor for the National Swimming Pool Foundation six years ago and still actively teaches class today. Recently, Susan and her husband, John, opened their open pool retail store and service business. Since its conception, Susan believes she has found not only her intended job, but her passion.
Mark Curtis, Pleatco Future Leader Award 2015:
Curtis is the Service Team Leader for Legendary Escapes in Brighton, Mich. He has his work cut out for him, since each day brings a different challenge for him to overcome, especially when it comes to plumbing the complex systems his company dreams up. His colleagues describe him as a super friendly guy who takes time to get to know new customers and answer any questions they have about their pool. When the phone starts ringing off the hook in spring, Curtis doesn't hesitate to put in the long summer hours, seven days a week, to keep customers happy. In the off season, you’ll find him taking classes to learn more about the industry, subscribing to podcasts and audio books and attending trade shows to further his knowledge of what is trending in the pool industry.
Noel Conley, Pleatco Industry Leadership Award 2015:
Conley entered the industry as a student who planned to work his way through school at a mom and pop pool store until he found a “real job.” Noel found his way back to the swimming pool industry again in 1991 at a local shop called Sandy’s until it was purchased by Leslie’s Pool Mart. While working for Leslie’s, he was relocated from Dallas to Maryland to open a new store. Once launched in 1995, Conley moved back to Dallas and opened his own business, Miracle Pool Service, with “literally a truck and no customers.” Since then, Noel has become greatly involved with APSP and is dedicated to furthering the education available within the pool industry.
Who was named the Pleatco Perfect Pool Gal? Find out here!
