Each year, Pleatco honors top-tier service professionals with the Pleatco Perfect Pool Guy and Gal award. This year at the PSP Expo in Orlando, Pleatco revealed this year’s winners, which include two Florida-based pros as well as the first winner from the UK.
This year saw more than 75 contestants, and contest organizers say the competition was steeper than ever.
All three winners received a trip for two to the PSP Expo in Orlando, as well as a $5,000 continuing education scholarship from Genesis 3 Design Group to attend the G3 Certified Pool Operator Program. In addition, you’ll see these three faces in Pleatco’s national ad campaign in the next few months.
Service pros, take note: you can learn a thing or two from these guys.
2014 Pleatco Perfect Pool Guy: Mark Mulder, Ocean Blue Pools, Bradenton, Fla.
After 10 years in the real estate business in Madison, Wis., Mark Mulder decided it was time for a change. In 2008, he made the leap by purchasing Ocean Blue Pools in Bradenton, Fla. While it was initially a maintenance-only company, Mulder grew it into a full service pool company with a retail store and 11 trucks on the road.
“Mark is a great choice, a true unsung hero, an inspiring industry leader and a dedicated family man,” says Howard Smith, Pleatco CEO. “If you know Mark at all, you know that with him it's all or nothing! He has become an industry leader in our little corner of the world.”
2014 Perfect Pool Gal: Tricia Manley, Dabco Pool Service & Repair, Naples, Fla.
Manley is a seasoned professional with more than 21 years of experience in the industry — and her dedication shines through every day on the job. As she said in her final interview, she “eats, breathes and drinks” her work in the industry.
“You couldn't find anyone more loyal and dedicated to the industry as a whole,” says Anthony Debella, who nominated Tricia. “The customers love her and she never hesitates to jump in a truck to take care of a job even if it’s well after work hours.”
2014 Perfect Spa Guy: David Wright, Passion4Spas, Hampshire, United Kingdom
This year’s Pleatco Perfect Spa Guy is David Wright, the first ever winner from the UK. Wright has been in the spa industry for 15 years, first starting out as a salesman and working up to owner of Passion4Spas. In his career so far, he says he’s sold more than 3,000 hot tubs.
“My passion for the industry grows more each day with new technology and innovation. The thing that makes me most happy is when I see the pool or hot tub installed and the families enjoying them,” Wright says.
The awards didn’t stop there. Special awards were doled out to four additional service pros:
Pleatco Big Heart Award 2014: David Ragland, Pristine Pools, Boomfield ills, Mich.
Pleatco Industry Leader Award 2014: Gary Kaplan, Ike’s Carter Pool Companies, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Pleatco Future Leadership Award 2014: Tom Sanger, LaPensee Plumbing & Pools, Holmes Beach, Fla.
Pleatco Lifetime Achievement Award 2014: Gary Post, The Pool Store, Gloucester Point, Va.
