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August 13, 2018
Volume 57, Number 13

26

Masters of Design Online

23 MEET THE MASTERS 58 VINYL LINER DREAM DESIGNS
Introducing PSN’s 2018 winners by Nate Traylor This issue of PSN is devoted the
58/Curve Appeal very best in residential pool and
26 CONCRETE 63/Vinyl in the Vineyard spa design. But there’s plenty
more inspiration to be found in
by Rebecca Robledo 67/Divine in Vinyl
the commercial sector. Each year,
26/Ethereal Artistry
our sister publication, Aquatics
32/Tropical Sleek 71 FIBERGLASS International, honors designers who
38/Spatial Mastery by Joanne McClain and Nate Traylor
create stunning commercial swimming
42/Modern Nature 71/The Meaning of Zen pool facilities and waterparks.
48/Simple as Black and White 77/An Artful Arrangement See AI’s Dream Design winners at
aquaticsintl.com.
55 PORTABLE SPA
by Nate Traylor
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9 REFLECTIONS 13 NEWS
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Celebrating the Very Best
To say I am pleased with this year’s
Masters of Design issue would be a mas-
sive understatement.
I am incredibly proud of this issue.The
projects featured here represent the very
best in pool and backyard design, whether
they were made of concrete, vinyl liners
or fiberglass.
This year, we received a record num-
ber of entries, making the competition
especially fierce. Not only did we need to
find a way to manage the volume of sub-
missions, but the quality of these entries
Joanne McClain
Editor-in-Chief, PSN
were, simply put, outstanding. It was a
wonderful problem to have.
Our three guest judges of the concrete
category, Paolo Benedetti, Kate Wiseman
and Jamie Scott, agreed. In fact, Wiseman
commented that there were at least 20
projects she wished she could designate
as winners.
But in the end, it came down to the 11
remarkable projects you’ll find beginning
on page 23. I invite you to take your time
in perusing these marvelous masterpieces.
Putting together an issue like this is
a massive group effort and I’d like to take
this opportunity to acknowledge the hard
work of everyone involved.
First of all, I’d like to express my appre-
ciation to the hundreds of builders who
entered this year. It was truly an honor to
see the remarkable and innovative work
being performed in our industry today. I
wish we had the space to showcase each
and every one.
Next, I’d like to thank our Genesis
judges, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Tech-
nology Pool & Spa, Kate Wiseman of Sage
Outdoor Designs, and Jamie Scott of Group
Works, who graciously donated hours of
their busy lives to judge the concrete
category. The blind judging system can
sometimes be a challenge to navigate, and
for their patience, I am grateful. But most
importantly, I am thankful for their exper-
tise, which is invaluable to the program.
And finally, a resounding thank you to
the hardworking and devoted PSN staff,
especially Deputy Editor Rebecca Robledo
and Senior Editor Nate Traylor. Without
their dedication, creativity and support,
you would not be holding this special issue
in your hands.
jmcclain@hanleywood.com
AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / REFLECTIONS 9
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Long-Time PoolCorp CEO Retiring at Year’s End
Manuel Perez de la Mesa oversaw the company’s
evolution into global dominator.
BY REBECCA ROBLEDO
Manuel Perez de la Mesa, who has
manned the helm of megadistributor
PoolCorp for nearly 20 years, will step
down from his CEO post at the end of
this year.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, Perez de la Mesa
will become vice chairman of the board
of directors, helping to develop long-term
strategy, determine major asset alloca-
tions, and guide senior management for
the publicly traded company.That position
will not entail a management role.
Retiring relatively young, at 61 years
of age, Perez de la Mesa said he wanted to
hand off the reins well before he begins
to slow down. He said planning for this
transition began about three years ago.
“Given the strength of the team,
where we are in our evolution, and the
fact that I’ve been running the com-
pany 20 years ... all those played into
my thinking that this is
the right time to turn it
over, when everything is
positive: my health, my
intensity, my energy and
my mind,” he said.
In his place, the board
has named current exec-
utive vice president and
COO Peter D. Arvan. He
who joined the company
in January 2017 after serv-
ing as CEO of Roofing Sup-
ply Group. At PoolCorp, he
originally served as execu-
tive vice president primar-
ily responsible for North
American operations, then
took on the COO title later
that year.
Perez de la Mesa said
that, during that time, he
has worked closely with Ar-
van on company strategy,
business operations and corporate culture.
“I am confident that, with [Arvan’s]
leadership skills, along with a deep and
seasoned executive team, PoolCorp will
continue to deliver outstanding results,”
he said.
When Perez de la Mesa joined the
company as its COO in early 1999, it was
called SCP Pool Corporation (for South
Central Pool), and primarily served the
South. Pool/spa products distribution ex-
isted in a much more fragmented state at
the time. Under Perez de la Mesa’s watch,
the company undertook an acquisition
campaign of more than a decade, absorb-
ing competing chains such as National
Pool Tile, as well as countless independent
operators. It also became an internation-
al company, expanding into Mexico and
Canada, then South America, Europe and
Australia. It also entered the irrigation
supply space.
The company currently reports op-
erating 360 locations around the world.
On the investor side, the company saw
a net sales compounded annual growth
rate of 10% and return on invested capital
of 29% during Perez de la Mesa’s tenure.
He said he immediately saw the po-
tential for PoolCorp to achieve its explo-
sive growth even while interviewing to
join the distributorship. As the head of
an air-conditioning distributor at the
time, he saw unique characteristics in
the industry.
“You have an industry characteristic
where the penetration of pools at 10 to 11%
of single-family households is a fraction of
its long-term potential,” he said. “That’s a
dynamic that makes it unique.”
Seeing this potential, he developed a
list of goals for the company before his first
day on the job. “For the first 10 years or so
that I was in the company, we worked on
that list,” he said. “We didn’t get them all
done in the first 10 years but we’ve gotten
almost all of them done at this juncture.”
For the remainder of his term as CEO,
Perez de la Mesa will complete plans for
2019 and lay groundwork for 2020 and 2021.
For the past 20 years, he has commut-
ed between his primary home in South
Florida and another in PoolCorp’s head-
quarter town of Covington, La. Starting
Jan. 1, 2019, he will spend more time at
his Florida residence and plans to serve
on other boards of directors and in other
strategic capacities.
But he plans to remain with Pool-
Corp in his new capacity for quite some
time. “It’s a very special industry,” he
said. “Some of the characteristics of the
industry are truly unique in the context
of the business world. That’s what at-
tracted me, and we’ve been working on
that ever since.”
AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / NEWS 13
This Floating Drone Could Be a Lifesaver
BY NATE TRAYLOR

It’s like Ring, but for swimming pools.

That’s the idea behind Morningstar SOS.
Similar to how Ring, the cam-
era-equipped doorbell, notifies home-
owners when someone comes to their
doorstep, Morningstar SOS lets you know
when unscheduled activity happens
around the pool.
The internet-connected security de-
vice, with dual cameras positioned top
and bottom, floats in a swimming pool to
monitor the surroundings. Once triggered
by motion — say, an unsupervised child
wandering too close to the edge — the
device sends a notification to the owner’s
smartphone. Upon receiving the message,
the user can tap into the camera to see
what’s going on. They can even tell the
child through an external speaker on the
star-shaped unit to go back inside.
Morningstar also has a failsafe feature.
If, for whatever reason, the pool owner
misses the first notification and the child
ends up in the pool, the bottom camera
will focus on the activity and send a sec-
ond alert. Again, the user can tap their
phone for a live feed to see what’s hap-
pening under water.
“The purpose behind that is to prevent
time being wasted where nobody knows
their kid is drowning until it’s too late,” said
the inventor, Lee Kambar of Gilbert, Ariz.
Because every precious second counts
in a potential drowning situation, the
Morningstar app provides a shortcut to
contact emergency services. Simply tap a
button in the app to reach 911.
But the potential for Morningstar
goes beyond alerting homeowners when
someone is in danger. Kambar is explor- developed, and he expects a prototype of vice that notifies pool owners when
ing the possibility of enabling Morning- the hardware in the coming weeks. The chemicals need to be added was recently
star to send a unique signal to emergency next stage will be a crowd-sourced fund- acquired by Hayward.
responders the second a drowning inci- raising campaign for $150,000, which he Kambar hopes the industry will em-
dent occurs. “Sometimes they’ll get to a says will be enough to go to market. brace yet another slick device, albeit one
crisis not knowing how long it’s been,” The pool industry has lately seen with lifesaving potential. “This is your
Kambar said. “When they get [a Morn- a surge of IoT products — that’s Sili- child’s life,” Kambar said. “Can you afford
MORNINGSTAR SOS

ingstar alert] they will have this peace of con Valley shorthand for Internet of a second wasted?”
mind that this just happened and they Things. Some of them have become quite He expects Morningstar to retail for
can do something about it.” successful. Take pHin for example. The less than $1,000 and plans to make the
Kambar says the software is already floating “smart water” monitoring de- product available to pool/spa retailers.

14 NEWS / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

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APSP Veteran Staffer Transitioning to Part-Time
BY REBECCA ROBLEDO
APSP’s staffer in the area of standards
development will be reducing his hours.
Those not involved with industry
associations may not be familiar with
Carvin DiGiovanni. Since 1990, the vice
president of technical and standards has
worked with experts in the industry —
manufacturers, academics, government
officials, builders, service professionals
and retailers — to facilitate the develop-
ment of standards language and ensure
their accreditation with the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI).
“I’m extremely proud of all the many
things we’ve accomplished over the years
and the many hurdles we’ve cleared to get
there,” DiGiovanni said. “But times and
circumstances change, and it’s become
clear recently that the time has come for
me to move on from my current role in
APSP. It’s a mutual decision that ultimate-
ly will be beneficial for APSP and me.”
DiGiovanni will finish out the year
full-time, after which he will reduce his
hours to three days a week.
Because of his work with the associ-
ation, observers say, the industry gained
credibility with government officials.This
occurred when the organization subject-
16 NEWS / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018
ed its volunteer standards to the ANSI
third-party consensus process, for which
diverse parties participate in the writing
and approve the language, these observers
said.Those who’ve worked with DiGiovan-
ni point to Congress’ willingness to listen
to the industry and adopt APSP standards
as a measure of compliance with the Vir-
ginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety
Act, the nation’s only federal pool and
spa safety law. “Basically every success
that the industry has had from a govern-
ment-relations perspective ... derives from
that accomplishment [of gaining ANSI’s
designation],” said Steven Getzoff, outside
general counsel for the Association of Pool
and Spa Professionals and senior litiga-
tion partner with Lester, Schwab, Katz &
Dwyer in New York. “That’s the reason
people listen to us when we present our
standards, when we try to address statutes,
regulations or model codes.”
Getzoff said this process also helped
end a spate of lawsuits against APSP in
the 1990s and early 2000s, and temper
potentially heavy-handed regulation.
In the long-term, APSP expects to
groom Susan Hilaski, director of stan-
dards, promotion and adoption, to take on
more responsibility, said APSP President/
CEO Lawrence Caniglia. In the event of
DiGiovanni’s departure, the organization
may hire somebody to assist Hilaski.
DiGiovanni started his professional
life as an English teacher in New York.Af-
ter a career change, he worked at ANSI as
a program administrator for safety, health
and construction standards. When he
applied for the technical director position
at APSP (then called the National Spa and
Pool Institute), his timing couldn’t have
been better: The organization had been
trying to move its model standards under
the ANSI umbrella, but efforts seemed
to stall. To gain ANSI designation on
standards, an organization must follow
specific processes of writing, reviewing
and opening the language to comments
from all interested parties. DiGiovanni’s
experience and understanding of this
process made him an attractive candidate.
DiGiovanni also forged a relationship
with the International Code Council (ICC)
so APSP standards language could become
incorporated into the International Build-
ing Code and other ICC standards. That
relationship also paved the way for the
International Swimming Pool and Spa
Code, a collaboration between APSP and
the ICC.“He is the most knowledgeable
guy I think the industry has in terms of
standards and codes,” said Mark Laven,
chairman of the board for manufacturer
Latham Pool Products in Latham, N.Y.
“He has been very effective in helping us
improve our products, protect consumers
and support the opportunities for the in-
dustry to grow in an environment where
there’s increasing legislation.”
While standards have fallen under Di-
Giovanni’s purview for his entire tenure,
he also has played key roles in govern-
ment relations and, at times, education.
“I’m glad [he] is going to continue,”
Caniglia said. “We want to take advantage
of his knowledge and experience as long
as we can. He’s done a tremendous job and
will continue to do a tremendous job in
the future, just in a scaled-back version.”
THE RESORT-30™
CMP Continues Aggressive Growth Strategy
BY NATE TRAYLOR

Custom Molded Products recently

acquired Aqua Sun Ozone, marking the
Newnan, Ga.-based manufacturer’s third
acquisition in less than a year.
CMP, supplier of pool and spa sanita-
tion systems and lighting products, began
its buying streak in August of last year
with DEL Ozone and followed with Saline
Generating Systems in March. CMP headquarters in Newnan, Ga.
This latest transaction comes as a di-
rect result of the DEL purchase.
“As we were understanding the DEL
business, both before and after the trans- into the fold, CMP is well positioned to take advantage of CMP’s sales and distri-
action, ASO kept coming up as a strong benefit from the growing portable spa bution channels and support for product
competitor of DEL,” said CEO Bill Drury. market, Drury said. development, Otero said.
ASO was founded by Desiree Otero ASO’s manufacturing facility will re- “CMP is great for ASO, and we feel con-

PHOTO: CMP
in 1994. Like DEL Ozone, it produces wa- main in Palm Springs, Calif. , with current fident they will supply additional oppor-
ter-treatment systems for hot tub man- leadership remaining intact. tunities for the brand,” she said in a press
ufacturers. By bringing these companies The transaction also allows ASO to statement.
Industry Vets Lowry, Garrett
Start New Chemistry
Education Program
Renowned pool/spa chemical expert Rob-
ert Lowry and top plaster specialist Greg
Garrett have developed a pool/spa chemistry
education program and certification.
The duo has formed the Pool Chem-
istry Training Institute (PCTI), with the
mission of providing intensive classes
devoted solely to residential pool and spa
chemistry. So far, they have developed
a core class, called the Pool Chemistry
Certified Residential (PCC-R) course. It
contains six hours of instruction, one
hour of review and a one-hour exam
containing 50 multiple-choice and true/
false questions.
Topics include the basics of water
balance; calculations, measurements
and conversions; the use and benefits of
borates; alternative sanitation methods;
and in-depth looks at borates, cyanuric
acid and the Langelier Saturation Index
(LSI), among others.
Upon passing the test, professionals
will be certified for three years before
renewal is needed. Certified individu-
als receive a patch, the ability to use the
emblem in advertising, and a listing on
PCTI’s website.
Lowry and Garrett will beta test the
course in September and October in the
Northern California cities of Concord and
Sacramento, Southern California towns of
Canoga Park and Ontario, and in Phoenix.
Garrett said he and Lowry developed
the program because they see a gap in
knowledge when it comes to the why’s
of pool/spa chemistry. Garrett saw this
in his decades teaching start-up certifi-
cation and other courses for the National
Plasterers Council.
“With all that travel I did, my num-
ber-one concern was people just not un-
derstanding the fundamentals of water
chemistry — things like how to calculate
carbonate alkalinity and what is the LSI.”
Lowry and Garrett are exploring the
possibility registering the course for
continuing education units with other
trade associations. In the long-term, they
plan outreach to gain brand recognition
among consumers for the certification.
The pair expect to broaden their cur-
riculum after the core class becomes es-
tablished. As demand increases, they will
conduct instructor training for the courses.
The PTCI will be headquartered in the
Phoenix area with Garrett’s other compa-
ny, Applied Materials Technology. Lowry
will travel from his home in Lima, Peru
to teach.
Lowry has worked in the industry
since 1973 and written 18 books. At one
time, he was co-owner of Leisure Time
Chemical. Garrett has long served as NPC’s
technical services director, in unofficial
and official capacities. He ends his official
tenure in the position this September.
CL Industries: Employees “Becoming an employee-owned
company ensures stability for all of our
CL Industries is known for its lines
of pool finishes sold under the brands

Are the Owners Now customers, vendors, employees and local

communities where we operate,” Hor-
ton stated. “Since customer satisfaction
Hydrazzo, Krystalkrete, SunStone and
CrystalStones.
Between 1996 and 2006, CL Industries’
drives our company’s success, with our growth skyrocketed, with a 500% increase
Consolidated Minerals, Inc., parent com- ESOP, all of our employees have an even in revenue, according to the company’s
pany of CL Industries, has transitioned to greater interest in better serving our website. It operates a manufacturing plant
an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. customers.” in Orlando.
Leesburg, Fla.-based CMI produces
pool plaster, quartz and pebble finishes
through its subsidiaries, CL Industries,
Aquavations and Universal Aggregate.
All 80 employees now have a vested
interest in the company’s growth.
“Through our ESOP, our employees …
will share in the financial and operational
success of CMI in ways that few employees
do,” President and CEO Fred Horton stated
in a press release.
The arrangement is precipitated by
an unusual decision made years ago by F.
Browne Gregg, who founded the company
in 1987.
After World War II, Gregg, who earned
the Silver Star for flying many success-
ful air combat missions, came home to
Leesburg and invested his life savings in
several business ventures.
One of his companies, which supplied
aggregate materials for road and bridge
projects, helped shape the Central Flor-
ida landscape. That led to opportunities
providing materials to the pool industry.
Gregg is credited with bringing hun-
dreds of jobs to the region.
A near-lifelong Leesburg resident, he
was committed to giving back to the com-
munity. When Gregg passed away in 2014,
two nonprofit organizations became the
beneficiaries of his estate.
That’s how the Leesburg Medical
Center and the local chapter of Hospice
Foundation of America came to own CMI,
which also includes a subsidiary called
Mallard Global Logistics.
“Yes, it is unusual,” Randy Simpson,
CMI chairman, said of the bequeathal. “But
I think it’s an indication of how Browne
cared deeply about the community.”
The organizations sought to liquefy
the assets but, in their commitment to
keeping CMI locally owned and operat-
ed, agreed to sell ownership back to the
company’s employees.
Ultimately, officials say this will be
a good thing for CMI’s customer base of
distributors and applicators.
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 Welcome to this year’s Masters of Design gallery, celebrating the best in pools
and spas of all stripes, including concrete, fiberglass, vinyl-lined and portable spas.
The industry has seen major strides in design, as evidenced not only by the honorees,
but by the many other submissions that could have held their own on these pages.

Many thanks to Genesis and its members, quoted in comments

TIRON GARCIA

to follow, who judged the concrete category.

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 23

CONCRETE

26 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

 ETHEREAL ARTISTRY

Dreamy features and interlocking lines create an eternal union of water to land.
Darin Farnworth | Design Principal | LandCreativeInc. | Costa Mesa, Calif.
Jeff Stephenson | President | Splash Pools & Construction | Chino, Calif.

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 27

CONCRETE

MODERN WATERWAYS
When a design starts with a good story, it can easily become great.
That’s why Darren Farnworth draws a detailed, if fictional, profile
of imaginary homeowners for his model-home waterscapes. Here, he
saw an artist wife who creates in the backyard. Farnworth also needed
to marry modern features and lines with a Tuscan home exterior.
By layering ethereal destination spots within a meticulous plot
plan, Farnworth created this sprawling waterscape, which benefits
from an old-world approach to water, but presents it in modern-day
terminology. Art plays a significant role. Farnworth had more spatial
depth than usual, so he layered features to be viewed one after the
other, terminating in a sculpture perched at the back of the yard and
aligned with the home’s center line.
Tight intersections between water and land reference the Tuscan
architecture. Water surrounds a portion of the home, with one of the
abode’s load-bearing columns embedded in the pool. Five scupper-type
waterfeatures are reminiscent of aqueducts from the Old World. “With

PHOTOS: REZA ALLAH PHOTOGRAPHY

a lot of Mediterranean-style homes or even classic Italianate homes,
water is a strong, playful element in landscape design,” Farnworth says.
In that spirit, the pool surrounds a sunken seating area. The stone-
clad fireplace keeps a low profile so loungers can see over it.
Sheltered by the home’s overhang, a perimeter-overflow spa
supports a double-sided fireplace on its wall. The open firebox allows a
view beyond. Water oozes over the surface on both sides, for a wet-wall
effect. A stainless steel frame around the firebox, protruding slightly
from the stonework, diverts falling water away from the flame.

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What the judges thought

The use of water-in-transit is subtle. It is not the technical
challenges , but the final effect that you notice — the wonderful
reflectivity of the water and the illusion that the fire pit area
floats. You never see the magician behind the curtain.

— KATE WISEMAN, principal designer, Sage Outdoor

Designs, San Diego
CONCRETE

32 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

 TROPICAL SLEEK

Pool and ocean merge and an in-pool fireplace dazzles on this rooftop installation.
TIRON GARCIA

George Moreno III | CEO/Principal | George Moreno & Partners | Panama Pacifico, Panama
Joan Roca | President | Imerzion Corp. | Panama Pacifico, Panama

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 33

CONCRETE

HIGH-LEVEL ACHIEVEMENT
For his own second-story apartment in Panama, architect George Moreno
wanted an L-shaped pool to suit the modern luxury complex he designed.
He and pool designer Joan Roca decided to give the pool a vanishing
edge. At first, the developer wouldn’t consent to a spillway on an upper
floor, fearing the water would migrate onto another residence. Roca, a
Genesis member, had to sign a guarantee.
When the pool designer came on board, the apartment complex
had already been built with a hole for the pool. Roca and Moreno
wanted a larger waterscape, but expanding the hole wasn’t possible.
Instead, Roca added a substantial shallow sunshelf to the original
pool’s footprint, which wouldn’t require the extraordinary measures of
expanding the deeper hole. Floating steps allow easy motion through
the relatively tight space.
The team placed the focal points where the pool’s legs intersect.
A wall with sheet waterfall stands outside the pool. In the water, a
submersible fire pit seems to float, creating that dynamic relationship
between fire and water.
To recreate the color of the ocean, the pool interior is finished in a
Greek marble called silver gray, custom cut into a 4-by-4-inch format.
The team chose wood for the deck and floating steps to add warmth
to the environment. They selected a very dense local species called

TIRON GARCIA
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Roca kept a tight gap between the deck and the pool’s waterline
to emulate the look of a slot overflow edge without the technical
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CONCRETE

What the judges thought

This pool is purely and simply an element within the ‘cubist’

CHRISTOPHER CASTAGNET
architectural scheme of the residence. It provides one the base
elements for the home: wood, metal, concrete and, finally, water. It
is perfect in form and color. The pool doesn’t strive to compete, but
rather to complete.

—JAMIE SCOTT, head of design and construction services,

Group Works, Wilton, Conn.
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CONCRETE

38 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

 SPATIAL MASTERY

A fire-and-ice effect, trellis spa, and wrap-around pool make the most of a tight space.
Justin Fox | Principal Designer/Owner | California Landscape Studios | Irvine, Calif.
Jeff Stephenson | President | Splash Pools & Construction | Chino, Calif.

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 39

CONCRETE

LUMINOUS DETAILS
Designer Justin Fox knew his audience.
They would spend a fair amount of time in the large great room in
the home’s back corner. With a large sliding-glass wall facing the back
and a series of windows facing the side yard, it called out for wrap-
around water to engage from all angles.
Immediately outside the great room door, Fox placed the true
attention-getter — a reverse vanishing edge with clear acrylic panel.
Color-changing lights in the pool intensify the glowing effect through
the acrylic. The water spills into a gutter concealed by pebbles.
A fire bowl cantilevers from a concrete step. The low profile allows
the fire effect to accent the yard without obstructing the view from any
angle, maintaining spaciousness in a relatively compact area.
A portion of the yard slopes steeply up to the back fence. To
somewhat conceal this, Fox placed a spa topped with a custom, metal
trellis at the back of the waterscape. For the roof, Fox created an
interlocking pattern — a modern take on those found in North Africa
and the Middle East, in recognition of the client’s Egyptian heritage. What the judges thought
The design was laser cut into sheet metal and installed overhead.
The simplicity of lines and finishes really caught my eye. The
Floating steps lead to the hot-water destination.
rectilinear, cantilevered fire feature is unique — I’ve never
For subtle contrast and texture, Fox alternated two similar seen that before! The steel-troweled plaster finish on the pool
types of marble — one light gray with mild veining, the other nearly walls is clean and lends a simple elegance.
white. Corners on the raised walls are mitered for extra detail and
comfort when sitting. — PAOLO BENEDETTI, principal and designer, Aquatic
He finished the interior with white pebble to create a sense of Technology Pool & Spa, Morgan Hill, Calif.
expansiveness and maximize the glow behind the clear panel.

PHOTOS: JERI KOEGEL PHOTOGRAPHY

40 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

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CONCRETE

MODERN NATURE

The simple geometric masterpiece perfectly frames the home.

Carlos Eduardo Vélez Godín | CEO | CVG GROUP | Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Andrés Gaitán Araque | CEO | Ambiente Azul | Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

42 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 43
CONCRETE

LINEAR OASIS
Wrapping around two sides of the home and clad in materials that
complement the abode’s color and texture, this pool/spa combination
forms an oasis of geometry among the native lush greenery.
“The pool speaks the same language as the house,” says builder
Andres Gaitan Araque. “So it’s like a perfect balance.”
While the clean L-shaped pool with perimeter overflow serves as a
perfect companion to the house, its colors also blend with the natural
lake just beyond the property’s confines.
On the practical side, one leg of the pool serves as a 25-meter swim
lane for exercise, while the oversized beach entry allows easy lounging.
Green glass mosaic tile lines the waterscape for added depth. This
has become a trend in the naturally verdant region, where some believe
a blue pool wouldn’t look natural. “We decided to use the green so the
pool seems more like a lake than a pool,” Gaitan Araque says.
Gray porcelain deck tiles play off the texture of the house.
To keep the form as simple as possible, the team placed the spa
inside the pool’s outline, with walls slightly below water level. This
conceals the spa so it doesn’t add more lines to the schematic.

PHOTOS: CARLOS VƒLEZ

The designers wanted to integrate the concepts of health and
wellness into the waterfeature. The spa features a product called an
Air Volcano, a blower placed in the center of the floor that provides
additional hydrotherapy. The stylized stainless steel Waterfall Cannon,
placed just outside the spa, provides the sight, sound and feel of moving
water. Changing colored lights were added for color therapy, with a
starry-night effect or celestial floor on the beach entry.
CONCRETE

What the judges thought

This fits so seamlessly with the house,
not just in architectural style but in
materials, colors, texture, and even mood.
It doesn’t take away from the beauty
of the architecture; it compliments it. I
love how the overflow detail creates a
smooth glassy surface, mirroring the
smooth metal fascia and fireplace on the
house, while the visually textural tile on
the vanishing edge plays off the rougher
texture of the coarse stone. Even the
water color pulls a complementing color
out of the stone on the house. This is
Organic Modern at its finest.

— KATE WISEMAN, principal designer,

Sage Outdoor Designs, San Diego

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CONCRETE

48 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

 SIMPLE AS BLACK AND WHITE

A stunning monochromatic palette frames sleek elegant features.

Justin Fox | Principal Designer/Owner | California Landscape Studios | Irvine, Calif.
Jeff Stephenson | President | Splash Pools & Construction | Chino, Calif.

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 49

CONCRETE

MEDITERRANEAN’S MODERN EDGE

While this sprawling waterscape features plenty of focal points to
fortify every window of the house, the spa area definitely forms its
emotional core. Designer Justin Fox drew the unique shape to add
some curvature to the otherwise exclusively straight-lined waterscape.
“Every angle gives you a different perspective,” Fox says of the form.
In addition to its power to stun, the spa’s shape accommodates five
people more comfortably, since it has no hard corners inside.
The spa sits inside a square, black infinity fountain that spills
over on three sides and features a seating bench behind. Black was
chosen for its reflective and depth-enhancing qualities, while leather
travertine slabs frame the fountain and provide avenues to walk around
or behind. A nearby fire pit and corner bench, set by the house for
shelter during winter, allow exchanges with spa soakers.
This area caps a perimeter-overflow lap pool, also finished in black.
For subtle sound, Fox added the long waterfeature with gently sloping,

PHOTOS: JERI KOEGEL PHOTOGRAPHY

pyramid profile and 1-inch stair-steps. This configuration slows the
water supplied by the bubblers on top for a more tranquil quality.
The monochrome palette of black and whitish stone throughout
combines with the straight lines to contemporize the yard.
The waterscape takes up a sizable portion of the yard. To prevent
it from overwhelming the space, Fox made sure that all corners and
edges of the yard were visible and physically accessible. Features
such as the firepit stay lower to the ground to preserve the view,
while stepping stones or decking on the sides allow one to walk
anywhere in the yard.
CONCRETE

What the judges thought

This design takes full advantage of three dimensions. They
created a raised room with the spa as the focus, but with as
much interest and detail given to moving through the space
and spending time. It isn’t just a beautiful feature to look at,
but also to interact with.

— KATE WISEMAN, principal designer, Sage Outdoor

Designs, San Diego
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STEP INTO STYLE

Clean lines and verdant landscaping complement a recessed spa.

George Urvari | President | Oriole Landscaping | Toronto, Ontario, Canada

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 55

PORTABLE SPA

PATH TO RELAXATION
As someone who operated a successful landscape maintenance
company, the owner of this outdoor space had seen enough beautiful
backyards to know exactly what he wanted.
Here in Toronto’s tony Don Mills suburb, the homeowners can
entertain under the shade of a tree canopy and take in views of a ravine
overlooking a golf course.
The formal architecture of the home extends to the outdoor retreat,
ideal for large gatherings or intimate family evenings, says George
Urvari, the designer and co-founder of Oriole Landscaping in Toronto.
The yard features distinct “rooms with warm connectivity,” he adds.
The designers also sought to create an oasis of calm, says Jennifer
Gannon, owner of BonaVista Leisurescapes, a spa dealer in Toronto. The
company recessed the hot tub inside a 3-foot-deep vault, leaving ample
room for repairs by way of a treated-lumber trapdoor.
This zone is a focal point rather than a hidden amenity. “It’s a real
hub,” Gannon says. “They’re very social people.”
A series of wide pavers draws the eye to the inground hot tub,
placed directly across a small seating area and adjacent to the patio
dining set. Elegant Indiana stone coping around the spa ties into the
intersecting pavers. Though an integral part of the yard’s layout, the
What the judges thought
spa sits to one side, in front of a short hedge for a sense of coziness It’s always refreshing to see a hot tub harmoniously
and protection. incorporated within a thoughtful design, rather than being
The homeowners wanted it positioned within a few steps of the secluded. Elegant and of a piece with the formal architecture,
back door, providing quick access during the Great White North’s this outdoor space is an entertainer’s haven.
notorious winters.

PHOTOS: JEFF MCNEILL

56 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

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VINYL LINER

58 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

 CURVE APPEAL

A shapely pool and spillover spa anchor a patio with amenities aplenty.
Michael Giovanone, Owner | Richard Fenwick, Vice President | Forest Smith, Senior Vice President |
Concord Pools and Spas | Latham, N.Y.

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 59

VINYL LINER

OH, WHAT A PATIO

In Saratoga County, N.Y., a backyard that was little more than dirt pro-
vided Mike Giovanone, president of Concord Pools and Spas in Latham,
N.Y., the blank canvas he needed to thoughtfully plan a patio packed
with features. These include a pool house with a bar, fire pits and multi-
ple areas for dining and lounging.
As with any project like this, the challenge here was to fit all the
items on the clients’ wish list into a defined space without making it
look or feel cluttered.
To achieve this, Giovanone depended on a decidedly low-tech
method of space-plotting. Starting from the back door of the kitchen,
as though carrying a tray of food, Giovanone walked around each of the
planned spaces, getting a sense of proximity and layout and making
adjustments as needed to ensure there was enough breathing room
between each zone.
This design called for two fire pits. One is located just outside the
kitchen, intended for small family gatherings. The other, a sunken
conversation pit in the corner, facilitates large cocktail parties.
The patio comprises at least six different paver styles of varying
earth tones, with a contrasting band of stamped concrete around the
pool and spa. What the judges thought
The pool, which forms something of a symmetrical kidney, evokes
Spacious and curvaceous, this backyard patio exudes class
the patio’s curves, concentric conversation pit and circular fiberglass and comfort with a vinyl-liner pool and spillover spa serving
spillover spa. as centerpiece attractions.
These details can be appreciated from inside the home as well,
as tall windows overlook the well-appointed outdoor space.

PHOTOS: PAUL CASTLE

60 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

CONGRATULATIONS,
WINNERS OF THE 2018
MASTERS OF DESIGN
Pentair applauds the exceptional creativity and
excellence that defines this year’s entrants
and winners. Thank you on behalf of our industry
and aspiring pool owners everywhere.

Photo by Concord Pools ©2018 Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. All rights reserved.
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VINYL LINER

VINYL IN THE VINEYARD

An elegant pool bucks a trend in an area known for high-end gunite vessels.
David Hobaica | President | Easton Pool & Spa | Easton, Mass.

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 63

VINYL LINER
ISLAND ELEGANCE
Homeowners on Martha’s Vineyard are almost exclusively fans of con-
crete swimming pools.
Known as a getaway for the rich and famous, the Massachusetts
island hosts summering residents who tend to hold nothing back when
it comes to extravagance. So it was a little surprising when Easton Pool
and Spa presented this concept for a shotcrete and pebble pool, only to
have the owners opt for vinyl instead — sacrificing nothing in quality.
Working in conjunction with architect Keith Musinski of
Equilibrium Design, Easton Pool’s David Hobaica laid out the patio to
reflect the clean lines of the home and selected materials to reflect its
contrasting color scheme. This is seen in the pool’s black liner and the
home’s black trim, and the correlation between the bluestone coping
and off-white siding.
The 16-by-32-foot pool features a set of custom-built concrete,
cascading stairs in the corner, and a bench in the deep end.
Special consideration was made for the vinyl spa. While many
64 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018
builders choose to run their pools and spas on separate equipment,
Easton Pool has changed course over the years, instead operating the
two bodies of water from the same equipment set. Doing so means
that the spa cools down when not in use, which helps preserve the
longevity of the spa liner, Hobaica explains. And because heaters are
more efficient these days, it takes only a few minutes to fire up the spa
to the desired temperature.
The project presented a couple of unique challenges. For one, the
pool had to be at least 20 feet from a septic drain field. Because the
existing field was too close, it had to be abandoned, necessitating a new
subsurface wastewater system farther away.
There was also the issue of knotweed. Dirt excavated from the
site had to shipped off the island to a treatment facility to eradicate
any trace of the invasive species so it couldn’t spread to the dirt’s final
destination. This was a first for the 45-year-old builder.
The end result is an elegant pool that perfectly reflects
its surroundings.
What the judges thought
This vinyl-liner pool and spa looks right at home on the idyllic
island. Understated and elegant with a rich color palette, this
design raises the bar for vinyl construction.
PHOTOS: DAVID HOBAICA
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VINYL LINER

DIVINE IN VINYL

A Canadian home gets a slate-flat backyard with style to spare.

Brad Cross | Architect, Designer, Engineer | Waterworks Pools and Spas | Moncton, N.B., Canada

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 67

VINYL LINER

BRINGING BALANCE
Dynamic visual appeal was the chief objective of this design by Brad
Cross, project manager at Waterworks Pools and Spas in Moncton,
New Brunswick, Canada. On that front, he delivered in spades.
One feature the clients insisted upon was a soccer-field
flat backyard. To overcome the 2 to 3 feet of slope on either
side, Waterworks installed a retaining wall and an extensive
subsurface drainage system, creating the level outdoor space the
homeowners desired.
Large square slabs of textured concrete further underscore
the slate-flat surface, but subtle contrasts in color and material
add interest. Consider the slightly raised elevation at the back of
the pool. It stands 6 inches taller to highlight the three square
spillover bowls. The dark charcoal contrasts with the slate gray
color of the front of the pool. Between the smooth slabs are
rough riverstones.
Cross also brought balance to the backyard, which originally
was lopsided due to the neighbor’s 10-foot-tall fence to the left.
Cross remedied this with a privacy trellis on top of the cedar back
wall, making the adjacent structures level. The pool house adds
symmetry on the right. What the judges thought
The trellis provides much-needed privacy, fully blocking any
views from neighbors’ first-floor windows. Modern and marvelous, this vinyl-liner pool provides
Cross’ favorite feature is the cedar wall, which is a work of art plenty of visual appeal set against a backdrop of
at night. Landscape lighting on the plants create playful shadows horizontal cedar planks.
which sway in the breeze.

PHOTOS: MARTY MELANSON

68 MASTERS OF DESIGN / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018

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FIBERGLASS

THE MEANING OF ZEN

A homeowner’s unusual request provides the key to designing this backyard oasis.
Mike Peterson, President | Vince Kaminsky, Designer/Sales |
Sonco Pools and Spas | Machesney Park, Ill.

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 71

FIBERGLASS

YIN AND YANG

Pool builder Mike Peterson had never quite received a request like this from a
homeowner: “If you’re going to nail this project, you need to understand more
about Buddha and more about zen to bring it into this environment. I want
you to look up what ‘zen’ means.”
So Peterson did. He found one source that defined it as “the practice of
steadying the mind and seeing into one’s nature.”
Peterson, owner of Sonco Pools and Spas in Machesney Park, Ill., used that
definition as a springboard for designing this backyard.
The client, a successful businessman, wanted a backyard “resort” to serve
multiple purposes: as a play area for his young family, a sophisticated spot
in which to entertain, and a peaceful retreat for the mind. Oh, and while he
preferred a sleek and modern look, incorporating a statue of Buddha was a must.
Peterson, along with fellow Sonco designer Vince Kaminsky, came up with
the perfect balance. First, they decided to raise the fiberglass spa. This served
as a visual stepping stone to the pool’s focal point — the Buddha, placed at the
very top between two fire bowls. In addition, raising the spa provided needed

PHOTOS BY JIM SPELMAN VISUALS

elevation for the installation of two waterfalls.
Secondly, a number of seating areas were designed around the pool, with
two standouts: a modern pavilion and a pergola. The first housed a full outdoor
kitchen and freestanding bar set under a modern flat-top roof. The contempo-
rary pergola, constructed of oversized, custom-cut cedar beams, stands on the
opposite side of the pool and offers a deep-seating area perfect for entertaining
or relaxation. Both were fitted with pop-up flat-screen TVs.
The final touch utilized the latest in pool and home automation, making
the entire backyard operable by smartphone.

CREDIT
FIBERGLASS

What the judges thought

The many carefully thought out elements in this backyard
come together in perfect harmony, offering the homeowners
space for entertaining, swimming, playing or simply a place
to meditate.

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T esult – Cleaner Water with Less Maintenance.

Available in Green, Blue, Gray or Mocha

For more information call 800-446-3926, visit www.meycocovers.com or email sales@meycocovers.com
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FIBERGLASS

AN ARTFUL ARRANGEMENT

It’s sleek and elegant, but look closer and you’ll find a pleasantly playful side.
Broc and Stacy Hutchinson| Owners | Sunset Fiberglass Pools | Lagrange, Ky.

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / MASTERS OF DESIGN 77

FIBERGLASS

SERIOUSLY FUN
Here’s a project with split personalities. There’s the sophisticated side
with its clean lines and sleek tile. And there’s the playful side seen in
laminar arcs that not only follow the curve of the handrail but splash
serendipitously into tanning ledge bubblers spouting upward.
Both sides get along swimmingly.
The design team, Broc and Stacy Hutchinson, owners of Sunset
Fiberglass Pools in Lagrange, Ky., commissioned a custom vessel from
a fiberglass pool manufacturer. Measuring 16-by-42 feet, it’s one of
the largest of its kind on the market, Broc Hutchinson says. Benches
on the shallow end, left side and deep end can accommodate up to
20 guests, a must-have feature for a family that likes to entertain.
Likewise, the spa was custom-made with a spillover and wrapped in
1-inch tile, concealing its fiberglass surface. A granite slab on top of
the spillway further disguises the fiberglass.
The rain wall at the deep end was cleverly constructed to
keep it kid-safe. Most water walls are built with a trough on top
that overflows, creating a gentle trickle down the vertical surface.
Recognizing that such a feature could pose a hazard if children were

PHOTOS: BROC HUTCHINSON

to scale the wall, Hutchinson capped the top and installed a span of
manufactured rain curtains. Not only does the wall provide privacy
and a noise barrier, it’s a spectacle at night. The LED lights make the
drops appear like dancing diamonds, Hutchinson says.
Guests can take in the whole scene from a fire pit near the spa
to better appreciate the arching columns Hutchinson built for the
covered patio and the clean lines of the pool and deck.

CREDIT
FIBERGLASS

What the judges thought

Not only is it thoughtfully designed, but unique touches
abound, from the bronze globes on the columns to the laminar
arcs that splash into bubblers on the tanning shelf.
 J��� ��� F�����
Plan your GENESIS® Educa�on Now!
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September 11 - 12 • Apopka, FL
*CONSTRUCTION 281: Major Renovations (16 hrs)
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October 7 - 9 • Cincinnati, OH
**CONSTRUCTION 201: Basic Pool Construction (24 hrs)

INTERNATIONAL POOL | SPA | PATIO EXPO

October 28 - November 2 • Las Vegas, NV
NEW! DESIGN 102: Sketching and Freehand Communication (8 hrs)
*DESIGN 211: Elements of Design (16 hrs)
**ENGINEERING 211: Basic Fluid Engineering (16 hrs)
NEW! DESIGN 431: Advanced Color Theory (16 hrs)
*CONSTRUCTION 401: Advanced Watershape Construction (24 hrs)
NPSF® Certi�ied Pool & Spa Operator® [CPO]
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CANADIAN POOL & SPA CONFERENCE & EXPO

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Genesis University® is sponsored by the following Industry Leaders:

A&A Manufacturing • AQUA Magazine • AquaCal/AutoPilot • Aquamatic Cover Systems • AquaStar • Aquatic Floors
Aquavations • Aquron Corporation • ASA • Basecrete • Bobe Water & Fire Features • Bradford Products • CES
ClearWater Tech • CMP • Covertech • Current Systems • Diamond Spas • Flexcrete • Hayward Pool Products
International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo • Lonza • Lunada Bay Tile • Master Pools Guild • Miracote • Murrine Mosaics
PAL Lighting • Paramount Pool and Spa Systems • Pebble Technology • Pentair Aquatic Systems • Pleatco
Pool and Spa News • RMS Media Group • Stonetech Pools • Twinscape • Watershapes • WetEdge • Zodiac Pool Systems

2327 Lionheart Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 • P:615.907.1274 • E:lisa@genesis3.com • www.genesis3.com

TM

2018 PSN CLASSIFIED RATES
2X 6X 12X 18X 20X
Per column inch $305 285 270 265 235
Products For Sale & Dealer Wanted Ads
2X 6X 12X 18X 20X
Per column inch $329 314 301 272 260
Add. 1⁄2 inch $136 134 124 101 100
Positions Wanted Ads Per column inch,
per insertion, flat charge: ........................... $195
Additional Rates
Blind Box Number: .................................... $136
Logos or Artwork: ...................................... $165
Color Headline: ......................................... $165
Website: .................................................... $450
Full Page Classified Ad: ........................... $2,227
1/2 Page Classified Ad: ........................... $1,234
1/4 Page Classified Ad: .............................. $946
1/3 Page Classified Ad: ........................... $1,384
>> BUSINESS FOR SALE
Profitable design, build, & service pool company
in business for 24 years, located in the South
Louisiana Area. Annual gross revenues 4-5
million, operating out of a 9,000 sq. ft. office.
Many National and Regional design awards,
excellent reputation, with tremendous growth
potential.
Please forward your inquires to Pool and Spa
News, 6222 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 600 Los Angeles,
CA 90048, Attn Box 303, or email to
psingletary@hanleywood.com – Attn: Box 303
>> POSITIONS AVAILABLE
DESIGNERS • SUPERINTENDENTS • GMS
With offices across the country, high lead
flow, unmatched incentives, national training
programs, exclusive equipment & discounts, and
unique advancement & ownership opportunities,
Blue Haven is the place for motivated, experienced
pool pro’s. See list of U.S. offices, and apply at
(confidential) www.bluehaven.com.
Factory Direct Retail Staff
Strong Spas is an industry-recognized leader in
manufacturing the highest-quality luxury hot
tubs. We are currently looking for Store Managers,
Sales Manager, Service Technicians and sales
staff for our factory outlets stores across New
York and Pennsylvania.
Tracing its roots back to 1992 Strong Spas has
built its success on leading innovation, top
quality and customer satisfaction. From its
manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania, Strong Spas
has customers across the country and through-
out Europe. It’s a relationship built on the trust
of customers in the high standards and superior
service that are the hallmarks of Strong Spas.
Our factory direct outlet stores are growing
rapidly and need qualified staff to meet our
growth goals. We offer a compete compensation
package which may include: salary or hourly,
commission, medical, vision, dental, life, holiday,
vacation and 401K. To apply confidentially,
please forward your resume to RSdirector@
strong9.com.
AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS / SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 87
>> POSITION AVAILABLE
POOL & SPA DEPOT IS HIRING NOW!
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
We offer Top Compensation, Bonuses, PTO,
Sick Time, 401K Plan, and Blue Cross Blue
Shield insurance!
ABOUT US:
Come join Nashville and Kentucky’s Largest Full
Service Pool & Spa Company. With over 5 retail
locations in La Vergne, Nashville, Cookeville,
Clarksville and Bowling Green KY, we are looking
for WORLD CLASS PEOPLE to join our team and
be part of our growth!
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Leads the planning and implementation of
projects (must be able great with time manage-
ment and scheduling)
• Facilitates the definition of project scope, goals
and deliverables
• Assembles and coordinates project staff
• Plans and schedules project timelines
• Tracks project deliverables using appropriate
tools
• Provides direction and support to project
management team
QUALIFICATIONS:
• 3 years experience in office management
• Experience in construction project management
is a plus!
• Knowledge of office management techniques
and tools
• Proven experience in people management
• Proven experience in strategic planning
COMPETENCIES:
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Planning and organizing
• Decision-making
• Communication skills
• Influencing and leading
• Delegation
• Team work
• Negotiation
• Conflict management
• Adaptability
• Stress tolerance
The above is intended to describe the general
content of and requirements for the performance
of this job. It is not to be construed as an
exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities
or physical requirements. Nothing in this job
description restricts management’s right to assign
or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job
at any time. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $50,000.00 / year
If you are interested contact Shae at:
Shae.Anderson@poolandspadepot.com
 >> POSITION AVAILABLE
Come join Tennessee and Kentucky’s Largest
Full-Service Pool & Spa Company. With over 5
retail locations in Nashville, La Vergne, Cookeville,
Clarksville and Bowling Green KY, we are looking
for WORLD CLASS PEOPLE to join our team and
be part of our growth!
This role is full-time 100% commission W-2 op-
portunity with benefits. Our Sales Reps typically
earn between $45K - $80K annually and top
performers up to $90K+ annually! The majority
of our Sales Reps visit the local sales office a
few times a week and on the remaining days,
they attend their scheduled appointments with
customers at the customer’s home. This position
offers excellent compensation opportunities
with pre-confirmed and pre-set appointments
with customers. This is not door to door sales
job – consumers have made contact in store with
a Sales Rep at Pool and Spa Depot where they
requested an estimate on our Leisure Products.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Maintains and nurtures existing client relation-
ships.
• Responds to all inquiries and requests in a
timely and professional manner.
• Understands and communicates information
regarding company products, services to new
and existing customers.
• Possesses and maintains thorough product
knowledge.
• Writes contracts and work agreements.
• Ensures that all required customer paperwork
is complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
• Attends and participates in team strategic sales
meetings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by
management.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• 3 years experience working in Big Ticket Sales
• Must be a self-starter and proactive.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good judgment with the ability to make timely
and sound decisions
• Creative, flexible, and innovative team player
• Ability to work independently and as a member
of a team.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as
discounts, commissions, and percentages.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work
within constantly changing priorities with
enthusiasm.
We offer Top Compensation (no cap on
commission earnings), Bonuses, 401K Plan,
PTO & Sick Time, and Full Health Benefits
(health, dental, and vision) through Blue-
Cross BlueShield insurance. We also have
regular sales training and advancement
opportunities.
The above is intended to describe the general
content of and requirements for the performance
88 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION / POOL AND SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018
of this job. It is not to be construed as an
exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities
or physical requirements. Nothing in this job
description restricts management’s right to assign
or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job
at any time. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.
If you are interested contact Shae at:
Shae.Anderson@poolandspadepot.com
Pool Sales, Murrieta CA
A pool designer, skilled, great attitude, for a
position with a reputable pool builder. Sea
Breeze Pools, Inc. is a great opportunity for
you. You must be experienced, competent
in Pool Studio; be loyal, honest and strong in
communication skills. Give us a call and join our
team! (941) 464-3112
GET MORE of what you need
from poolspanews.com
Latest News
Read up on the issues
affecting the industry.
Inspiring Aquascapes
See the Masters of Design
awards.
Job Opportunities
Find a job or search for the
right candidate with our
online classifieds section.
>> POSITION AVAILABLE
National Technical Support Manager
Paramount Pool & Spa Systems, an Arizona
based manufacturer and the #1 In-Floor swim-
ming pool cleaning company in the world, has
an immediate opening for a Technical Support
Manager. This position is in Arizona. Paramount
was established in 1964, and offers competitive
compensation, along with bonus, paid vacation,
paid holidays, health insurance, and 401k after
applicable waiting periods.
The Technical Support Manager position is
responsible for all customer related Technical
Support and training performed mostly via
phone but also via e-mail, webinars, in person
and through social media. The Technical Support
Manager position also requires some travel.
Primary Responsibilities
• Answering incoming Technical inquiries. Either
direct or through customer service
• Maintain F.A.Q. section on the Paramount
Website.
• Answer additional Technical inquiries originating
through other points of contact. Such as Social
Media and Sales Associates.
• Plan and execute service and trade training
events.
• Manage authorized warranty service station
program.
• Train sales team members on technical issues
and new products.
• Provide feedback from the field to the engi-
neering department.
• Updating and creating technical training
collateral.
Skills, Education and Experience
• 5 to 10 years Swimming pool industry expe-
rience, preferably in construction and service
aspects of the industry.
• Excellent communication skills, both written
and verbal.
• Computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite
and ability to navigate and communicate on
social media platforms.
• Technical writing.
• A strong mechanical aptitude is a big plus.
Physical Requirements
• Walking, standing, bending and lifting outdoors
on jobsites for long periods of time.
• Climbing into and out of pools under construction.
• Carrying and installing equipment for training
purposes. (more than 50 pounds)
• Standing all day in a class room environment.
This is a salaried position. Insurance benefits and
401K available. Those interested should forward
resume with salary history and expectations
indicated to jobs@1paramount.com. Subject to
pre-employment drug screening. Equal Opportunity
Employer.
Advertiser Phone WebSite Page #
Allied Innovations LLC 800.237.9937 alliedinnovations.com 28
Anderson Manufacturing 800.348.1316 leaktools.com 86
AquaComb / Mi-Way 941.922.7786 aquacomb.com 86
Aqua Group 800.492.9563 bungeeplug.com 51
Aqua Tri 949.474.7707 aquatri.com 5
Aquamatic Cover Systems Inc. 800.262.4044 aquamatic.com 15
Aquron Corp 800.342.4649 28
Arch Chemicals, Inc. 800.478.5727 cchendurance.com 44
Artistry In Mosaics 877.777.1393 ArtistryInMosaics.com 36
Barrier Reef Pools LLC 888.457.6657 | 416.305.2424 brpoolsusa.com | brpools.ca 70
Big Green Egg Inc. BigGreenEgg.com/become-a-dealer 75
BioClimatic Structures LLC 973.513.7016 bcstructures.com 45
Carefree Clearwater LTD 800.364.5710 carefreeclearwater.com 87
Clark Synthesis, Inc. 303.797.7500 clarksynthesis.com 78
ClearWater Tech 805.549.9724 cwtozone.com 72
CMP C-M-P.com/DEL Inside Front Cover
CMP C-M-P.com/DEL 73
CMP C-M-P.com/BRILLIANT 79
Cover Company 908.707.1122 coverlon.com 31
DiversiTech diversitech.com 21
Extractor Corp 800.553.3353 suitmate.com 20
Fix A Leak 905.374.2560 fixaleak.com 86
Florida Swimming Pool Association UnderTheSunExpo.com 69
Fortress Building Products 844.909.1999 FortressFence.com 41
Genesis 615.907.1274 genesis3.com 81
Great American Waterfall Company 888.683.0042 gawcinc.com 34
Hammerhead International 702.646.4275 | 727.857.3082 hammerheadintl.com 24-25
Hammerhead Patented Performance hammerheadvac.com 17
Harwil Corp 941.922.7786 harwil.com 86
Haviland Pool and Spa Products 800.333.0400 spapureusa.com 47
Hayward Pool Products Hayward.com/Laminar 10-11
Higginbotham 866.688.3483 poolindustryinsurance.com 83
HIVE BD.HWHIVE.com 84-85
Homestead Pool Products / Central Distribution 800.362.0460 86
Hydro Quip Spa Systems thermproducts.com 87
Informa Exhibitions poolspapatio.com 34 a-b, 35, 82
Jack’s Magic Products, Inc. 800.348.1656 jacksmagic.com 6
Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH interbad.de 53
Latham Pool Products 800.833.3800 lathampool.com 19
Loop-Loc 800.LOC.LOOP looploc.com 7
Merlin Industries 800.289.1836 merlinindustries.com 62
Meyco Pool Covers 800.446.3926 meycocovers.com 74
Miracote Products 800.692.3502 miracote.com 29
Mr. Hardwater 760.636.9336 shop.mrhardwater.com 86
Myron L Company 760.438.2021 myronl.com 18
National Swimming Pool Foundation 719.540.9119 WAHC.org 66
National Swimming Pool Foundation 719.540.9119 NSPF.org 50
Party Pool! USA LLC 602.866.1688 partypool.net 86
Pebble Technology pebbletec.com 12
Pegasus Products 908.707.1122 pegasus-products.com Inside Back Cover
Pentair Aquatic Residential 61
Pentair Aquatic Residential pentairpool.com/clean 37
Pentair Aquatic Residential pentairpool.com/cleaner-rebates Belly band
Pleatco LLC pleatco.com Back Cover
Prestige Spa Covers 800.341.7661 86
Radiant Pools 518.434.4161 radiantpools.com/become-dealer 8
RenoSys PVC/Aquatic Renovation 800.783.7005 RenoSys.com/psn 86
Spazazz 844.772.9299 spazazz.com 6
Splash-A-Round Pools 909.980.7709 splasharoundpools.com 86
SSC Pool Gasket & Seal Co. 800.863.5800 poolgasket.com 86
Starlight Manufacturing 800.700.0016 Starlightplugs.com 86
Sun Fiberglass Products 800.764.SWIM SunPools.com 78
Tallman Pools 800.305.5931 CustomFiberglassPools.com 76
Tara Manufacturing 866.725.8272 taraliners.com/remakes 46
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals APSP.LearnUpon.com 57
Ultra Aluminum 800.656.4420 ultrafence.com 22
Universal Forest Products deckorators.com 65
Vac-Alert Industries 800.374.7405 vac-alert.com 30
Vacless Systems 818.701.6200 vacless.com 52
Zodiac Academy ZodiacAcademy.com/GetTrained 54
Zodiac Pool Systems 3

Advertisers: To update your listing, contact Stephanie Fischer at 773-824-2422 or send an email to sfischer@hanleywood.com

AUGUST 13, 2018 / POOL AND SPA NEWS 89

Veterans Helping Veterans
After a sales call to a former military nurse in need of therapy, this
ex-Marine’s loyalty to his brothers and sisters in service took over.
BY REBECCA ROBLEDO
For Mike Sandoval, having a true veteran-owned company is
an important part of his makeup. Having served 4 years of active
duty in Iraq and another 10 in the reserves, the former Marine
and owner of Phoenix’s Above and Beyond Pool Remodeling has
hired fellow vets for key positions in his company.
He knew that, one day, he and his company would make a
large gesture to help a fellow vet. He figured the recipient of his
good will would be a strapping former soldier trying to pull his
family together after returning from combat. So when, near the
close of business on a Friday, he took a call and heard an elderly
woman’s voice, he didn’t know this would be it.
Sandoval had some time that evening, so he went to Linda
Webb’s house to evaluate her pool. She didn’t mention that she
was a veteran. But after seeing the contractor’s USMC tattoo,
she talked about her father’s service in World War II, Korea
and Vietnam. But she seemed fluent in military vernacular, so
Sandoval did some prodding and found out that she had served
stateside during the Vietnam era for 10 years, with active and
reserve duty combined.As a medic, she aided returning Vietnam
vets. For nearly 40 years after, she worked as a nurse.
90 BACK PAGE / POOL & SPA NEWS / AUGUST 13, 2018
Now, she needed physical therapy to help her recover from a
non-combat-related injury that hindered her mobility.The pool
was in particularly bad shape, but she was unprepared for the
cost, which Sandoval estimated at about $20,000.
“When I was talking to her, it just hit me right in the heart,”
Sandoval says. “She didn’t want anything for free. But she needed
this pool, and I wanted to be the one to bless her with it, and I PHOTOS COURTESY ABOVE & BEYOND POOL REMODELING
didn’t want to charge her a dime.”
The homeowner hesitated to accept his offer of a free reno-
vation. But, after sleeping on it, she did. Sandoval refinished her
pool and deck, replaced the equipment, added lights and even
provided some lighted scupper bowls left over from another
project. As a finishing touch, she received updates to her irri-
gation system and shrubbery. Sandoval did this with the help
of Hayward Pool Products, Noble Tile Supply, Xcel Surfaces and
local plaster and start-up expert Greg Garrett, a fellow veteran.
Now Webb uses the pool twice a day, Sandoval says.
“Something just drew me to Linda,” he says. “I believe I was
there for a reason.That call was meant to come on my phone on
that day, and I was meant to meet with her.”