Pool Troopers is celebrating 70 years in business. Started in 1952 as Chittenden Pool Supply, it was purchased by the Crayton family in 1973, and the name changed to Bay Area Pool Service. Bay Area Pool Service grew rapidly over the years and in 2017 was rebranded as Pool Troopers when the company began its expansion in markets outside of the Tampa Bay area.
Pool Troopers has always been a pool company that values team members and customers alike. Chris Neatherly, vice president of operations, has been an employee for more than 25 years. “Being a member of the Pool Troopers family is something I treasure,” he says. “It’s exciting to be part of a company whose size provides for ongoing opportunities to evolve with the newest technologies for both homeowners and pool techs.”
As part of that expansion, Pool Troopers, acquired its 10th, 11th and 12th pool service companies in April, each located in Florida. Pure Planet Pools of St. Petersburg, Cobalt Pool Service of Ft. Myers, and Clearview Pool Services of Jax, located in Jacksonville. All three acquisitions provide residential and commercial pool service and repair.
“We feel Pool Troopers is the best fit for our company moving forward,” say Pure Planet owners Mark and Jen Simmons regarding the sale. “We share the same philosophy of caring for our employees and customers. We couldn’t have picked a more capable group to carry on the mission of providing excellent pool service. Our experience with them has been outstanding from start to finish. Their transition team is on point.”
Cobalt owner Jim Haidet says the choice was easy. “Their leadership in the pool industry in the Southwest Florida market is unmatched,” he adds. “We are excited about the quality of service and the benefits they will bring to our customers and our employees. The Pool Troopers integration team has been thorough and proactive to ensure a seamless transition for our technicians and customers.”
Clearview Pool Services owner Eric Hyde says he knew from the start that Pool Troopers was the right organization to take care of his employees and customers. “Partnering with Pool Troopers allows me to focus on the next part of my life with full confidence the business I’ve built will continue to thrive,” he adds.
Pool Troopers executive chairman Gary Crayton has been a part of the company since he was in middle school and returned to full-time employment 35 years ago. “A key to our success lies with staying true to the values which my father instilled in the company more than 50 years ago,” he says. “Our family first culture and belief system are raising the bar on pool service nationwide.”
Crayton’s vision of a national brand pool service company came to fruition when the company partnered with Shoreline Equity Partners in fall 2020. The partnership allows Pool Troopers to accelerate growth in existing markets and further expand throughout the sunbelt of the United States.
