Pleatco, LLC, with longtime co-sponsors GENESIS and the National Swimming Pool Foundation, announced the winners of the 2018 Perfect Pool Guy and Gal Search: Dick Abare of Tampa, Florida, and Andrea Nannini, from Port Saint Lucie, Florida. The annual Pleatco PoolGuy/Gal Search honors the hard-working men and women of the pool and spa service industry. The 2018 search had 70 entrants.
“When we made the calls in the final judging stage, every single person commented on Dick’s passion, honesty, leadership and integrity,” says Howard Smith, CEO of Pleatco.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be chosen Pleatco’s Perfect Pool Guy,” Abare says. “It’s very exciting to be part of the Pleatco family, and I’m looking forward to our adventure together. I’m overwhelmed and very grateful for all the support from my family, friends and this outstanding industry that I’m lucky enough to be a part of.”
Following her mother into the pool industry, Nannini started as a service tech in 2002 and in 2016 she earned her pool operator certification. She takes every opportunity to learn everything she can with her two main career goals: to be the most knowledgeable pool professional she can be, and to inspire other women and fellow pool girls to believe in themselves and follow what they are passionate about.
“When I started in the pool industry 16 years ago, I never would’ve dreamed I would be where I am today,” Nannini says. “My mother, whom I consider to be the best pool girl ever, opened the door for me and I will never look back!”
This year’s Perfect Pool Guy and Perfect Pool Gal will each receive a trip for two to the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo held in Las Vegas at the end of this month. Both winners may attend a GENESIS school free of charge ($5,000 value) being held at the show. Winners (and finalists) will receive NSPF’s AST Certification course ($1,100 value) free of charge, also offered at the show.
With so many worthy entrants, Pleatco once again expanded the contest and created additional awards. “During our final interviews, we were impressed by the caliber and diversity of so many individuals that we felt it was proper to recognize the outstanding achievements of several other entrants,” says Jeff Smith, executive vice president. “In that spirit, we selected contestants for special awards based on their contribution to their community and the pool and spa industry.”
Those awards are:
- 2018 Industry Leadership Award: Steve Goodale (Paris, Ontario, Canada)
- 2018 Big Heart Award: Chris Richards (Hurst, Texas)
- 2018 Community Leader Award: Eric Honeyman (Wichita, Kansas)
- 2018 Customer Service Award: Libby McKennon (El Paso, Texas)
- 2018 Future Leadership Award: Lamar Jeantinoble (West Palm Beach, Florida)
The official awards ceremony will be held during the PSP Expo in Las Vegas at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Pleatco booth #3137. Pleatco encourages anyone to attend and congratulate the winners in person.