It’s not easy being a service technician. There’s long days, trying weather conditions and cranky customers — and that doesn’t even begin to cover the challenging pool and spa issues you tackle on a daily basis.
However, those who thrive in the profession tend to see the silver lining of it all: Your job, in a sense, is to make your customer’s day better. You get to go to work each day and leave a hero. How many people get to say that?
Pleatco understands that spirit and honors it each year with the Pleatco Perfect Pool Guy and Gal contest. Each year, hundreds of dedicated pool and spa technicians are nominated for the award — to date, there have been more than 600 participants and nearly 40,000 votes. Competitive is an understatement.
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.
Last week, we introduced 2015 Pleatco Perfect Pool Guy John Oldfield. As for the Perfect Pool Gal? Meet her below.
Your Pleatco Perfect Pool Gal 2015: Jamie Gaumond, Sevierville, Tenn.
At ValleySpas Inc., in Sevierville, Tenn., Jamie Gaumond does it all — customer calls, orders, sales and work in the field — and enjoys every minute of it, especially the fact that she works alongside her husband, Chris. Yet over the past six years in particular, she’s made it her mission to perfect her service expertise; so far, she’s earned her certification as a pool and spa operator and is working toward her instructor certification.
According to Chet Williams, who nominated Gaumond for the award:
“Jamie brings a positive outlook on life to her job, her family and her customers. She constantly looks to use her position in the industry to give back to the community including repurposing spas to give to disabled and injured citizens and furthering the safety of our industry with C.P.I training.”
So what does it feel like to be a Perfect Pool Gal?
“I have a glow that no wrecking ball could move from my face. I am overwhelmed by the support and congratulations from my customer base who have learned of me winning Pleatco’s Perfect Pool Gal title this year,” she says.
In addition to the Perfect Pool Guy and Gal awards, Pleatco bestowed special honors to a handful of industry pros, including:
Trevor Gossman, Pleatco Customer Care Award 2015
Gossman joined the pool industry more than a decade ago after a stint in the automotive industry. He found his automotive background gave him an advantage in learning the mechanical side of the service industry, but learning the in’s and out’s of water chemistry provided a unique, captivating challenge. One of his favorite things about the job is the diversity of the work he does; as he puts it, “life in the pool industry is never boring!” More than anything else, Gossman enjoys interacting with customers on a daily basis, especially when working with them one-on-one to get to know them better. Because of this, customers and coworkers alike are impressed with his customer service skills.
Scott Bryson, Pleatco Industry Achievement Award 2015
Scott Bryson began his pool experience in the back of a construction truck at 10 years old. By the time he was 16, he was running a repair route for his dad’s pool company. From there he learned every phase of pool construction and remodeling. Today, Bryson is a gold member of the Genesis program, a licensed Florida pool contractor with a gas license and working on his SWD membership — with more than 50 award-winning pools under his belt within the last six years alone. However, he always aspires to challenge himself, which is why he decided to expand into the service industry. Over the course of seven years, Bryson has grown the service company from zero pools to over 600 accounts. “Without a strong team, I would never have been able to get where I am now. I am blessed to be nominated for this contest and I want to say thank you to everyone that voted for me and has encouraged me along the way!” he says.
Corey Eagles, Pleatco Big Heart Award Award 2015
Cory Eagles started out in the pool industry in 2001 as a laborer and worked his way up to be a service tech and installer by 2007. At the end of the 2007 season, Eagles decided to go out on his own and founded Eagles Pool Services in Pine Glen, Canada. He is also the president of the Pine Glen recreation center. When he took on the position, the facility was nearing forclosure — but after two years of hard work, the recreation center is out of debt and is a viable building for community use. In addition, Eagles received international coverage from CTV News, C.B.C. News, Global News, and several print media sources for building and donating a therapy pool for Rosco the dog. Rosco is a one year old Newfoundland pup born with hip problems who needed water therapy after his surgeries to walk again and avoid euthanasia. With the help of Cory and the Eagles Pool Services team, Rosco is currently running through the leaves after two successful surgeries, being a regular puppy.
