Cameron Baird, 31
Territory sales manager
San Antonio, Texas
As a second-generation pool professional, Cameron Baird started working in the industry at just 15 under the guidance of his father in the renovation sector. Over the years, he moved from pool cleaning to service technician, mastering water chemistry and repair work along the way. Eventually, he became renovation manager, overseeing multiple crews. That set the stage for his current role with Pentair, where he has spent the past three years connecting with dealers and professionals around the world.
What Baird enjoys most at Pentair is the variety. “As a pool professional, we know there are so many scenarios that we run into on a day-to-day basis,” he says. “Being able to help our dealers in these oddball scenarios is my favorite part of this job.” His technical background gives him a unique perspective in supporting partners and solving problems.
Not long after joining Pentair as a territory sales manager, Baird found himself in a trial by fire. When a field application specialist relocated, leaving a gap in the service department, he stepped in to provide both technical and sales support. At one point, he was handling over 700 accounts on the technical side while also managing sales for more than 300. “One of my proudest achievements at Pentair was helping my team maintain workflow during this critical time,” Baird says.
The toughest stretch came in 2022, when Texas was dealing with the combined challenges of COVID’s aftermath, a winter storm and nationwide equipment shortages. Baird and his team conducted biweekly training sessions to help dealers adapt, covering new pumps, UV systems and chlorine alternatives. “These sessions aimed to enhance understanding of how to optimize the use of a single pump instead of two, while also providing alternatives for chlorine reductions in light of the ongoing chlorine shortage,” he says.
Baird hopes to continue advancing with Pentair while contributing to the broader industry. One of his goals is to raise awareness of pool industry careers among young people. “I aim to establish a ‘pool team’ that will participate in job fairs targeting students transitioning from school,” he says. By showing the opportunities available through training and certification, he hopes to inspire the next generation of pool professionals.
Outside of work, life is full with family. Baird and his wife are raising two young sons, and weekends are often spent at T-ball and soccer games. When they find time to relax, the family enjoys unwinding together at the Comal River.
