Anthony Pizzi began in pool service, where he identified an issue with pool ladder bumpers damaging vinyl liners. He founded Poolular and developed the product LadderBoss as a solution to protect liners.
Arthur Schutzberg headed west to Los Angeles. “Here, I knew that I would at least have the sun and the warmth of the beach to save me from the wreckage of 2020,” he says. “What I didn’t realize was the warm embrace of the pool industry was right behind.”
Cody Williams served as a sales and finance manager at a local Ducati dealership, but a chance encounter with a customer — a pool industry veteran — set him on a new path. Williams decided to transition from selling motorcycles to building pools.
From a young age, Danielle Bahr was immersed in the world of pools, her childhood memories shaped by the sights and sounds of her family’s pool supply business.
Starting in water testing, Dustin Anderson climbed the ranks to become a store manager at Leslie’s Pools by 2005. He subsequently joined a local service company, where he played a pivotal role in building a retail store and served as the service manager. In 2007, looking for more independence, Anderson embarked on a new venture: Precision Aquatics, a commercial service and repair company based in San Diego.
After years of hard work, Heather Linton knows the pool industry is not just a job for her; it’s a lifelong commitment. “I will never leave this industry; I love it to my bones,” she says. “The faces I get to see when a client sees the newly built or newly renovated pool are priceless.”
For 11 years, Ivan Flores honed his expertise before starting his own venture — iPools, based out of Southern California.
Starting as a pool technician, Jacob Grozier had a predilection for the job, thriving in the outdoor environment. At the end of his first summer, he was the last new hire standing, earning a full-time position. Over the years, he gained invaluable experience while working for different companies. But he wanted to do things on his own terms, so he started Swordfish Pool Care.
Jacob Stankowitz, a seasoned pool service technician currently working with Pinch A Penny, is more than just an industry professional — he’s carrying forward a family tradition.
Jessica Werner joined Clear Comfort as an intern before completing her studies at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Over five years later, she remains an integral part of the company’s success.
Having started in the healthcare field at 17 and progressing from a medical assistant to a nurse practitioner, Jessie Gesmond’s had plenty of practice helping others. Her husband’s pool business prompted her involvement, as she helped part-time with his company, Heritage Pools, during her days off.
Joe Andrews has spent most of his career in commercial aquatics operations, with a focus on facility maintenance and teaching.
