Honoring Pool Service Professionals
Top-performing pool service men and women receive recognition for dedication to their work and their customers.
By Rachel Harper
If you’re a pool owner, you want your pool to be clean and ready for swimming on a regular basis so you can get the most out of your investment. With proper maintenance, this can be achieved, but there’s a lot to be said for what really keeps your pool clean and safe to swim in. Whether you hire a pool service company or take care of the maintenance yourself, it’s likely that the servicemen and women of the pool industry have assisted in the performance of your pool in some way. Their knowledge and expertise makes them one of your most valuable resources in caring for your pool.
If you are a do-it-yourselfer, it’s likely that you’ve been to the pool supply store and asked the employees about a water care issue (algae blooms, chlorine levels, cloudy water, etc.). You may take a water sample to the store a few times a season (a recommended practice) to get a free water analysis to make sure your sanitizer, pH, alkalinity, and other levels are where they’re supposed to be. You may even call the store asking how to correct a high pH level that just showed up on your test strip.
For those of you who employ a pool service company to monitor, clean, and balance the chemistry, you already know the value of this relationship. Pool service professionals make sure all of the equipment is working properly and can spot any malfunctions or replacement needs before they become a problem.
Whether you often entertain poolside or just enjoy gazing at the sparkling water every time you look out your kitchen window, knowing your pool is in good hands can save you a lot of stress.
Providing Recognition
One company in particular has taken it upon themselves to provide recognition for pool service professionals by initiating an annual competition. Pleatco, LLC, a leading U.S. manufacturer of premium pool and spa filter cartridges, concluded its third year of the Pleatco Perfect Pool Guy/Gal contest in November 2010. “Over the three years that Pleatco has sponsored this contest, we’ve learned that being a professional pool or spa service technician is more than a job…it’s a passion. Many homeowners treat their service [professional] like family; it’s a special relationship,” says John Antretter, Pleatco COO. “A pool or spa is an integral part of a home—a way to relax and a place for a family to share time together. Homeowners trust their service professional to keep their backyard oasis safe.”
The competition serves as a unique way to honor the hardworking men and women of the pool service industry. Contestants can nominate themselves or be nominated by a friend, family member, colleague, or customer. Users fill out a form online and may upload a photo or video along with a short description as to why the pool/spa technician should win the title of “Perfect Pool Guy/Gal.” It’s a great way for customers to show their appreciation (and score a free T-shirt). Once all the entries are in, online voting is open to the public. After the voting period, a panel of judges reviews all of the entries and takes the online votes into account before making a decision.
The Winners
With over 150 contestants, the 2010 entrants were as impressive as ever, and received thousands of votes. After careful consideration, the judges chose the following two winners as the 2010 Perfect Pool Guy and Gal:
• Rich Tarricone of Aquatic Pool Systems, LLC, Fla.
• Sabrina Clonts of Kenco Pools, Texas
Both winners received a trip for two to the International Pool, Spa, and Patio Expo hosted in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort on November 3 – 5, 2010, as well as a $5,000 continuing education scholarship from Genesis 3 Design Group to attend the G3 Certified Pool Operator Program.
Rich Tarricone, who has worked in the pool industry for 29 years, was overwhelmed to learn of his new title. “It will always be a reminder for all my hard work and the gratitude that I owe my many friends, family, peers, and mentors who continue to believe in me,” he said. “My hope is it will be a reminder to all pool people out there that with hard work and involvement, you can make a career out of being a true pool professional.”
Sabrina Clonts, who has been in the industry for 13 years, was thrilled to win the title. “I first signed up for the free T-shirt, but I have been very shocked that it has taken me this far!” she said. “It’s great that I have my friends, family, and co-workers cheering me on.” Clonts also shared that her favorite part of the industry is her customers, whom she considers her extended family.
Pleatco will run the competition again this year beginning in August.
About Pleatco: Pleatco, LLC, based in Glen Cove, N.Y., has served the pool and spa community for the past 35 years as a leading manufacturer of unique Free-Flow Core filter cartridge technology.
Special Awards