Rick Woemmel left his computer science job to start Bi-State Pool & Spa in 1994. Like most small business owners, back then he was the president, CEO, janitor and technician. Now, Woemmel can focus on leading, supporting and teaching his employees, making sure they develop within his company and in the industry. A longtime PHTA member, Woemmel has held several volunteer positions with his local chapter and the national organization, and holds most of their certifications as well. He is passionate about education, both for his employees and the industry.
Rick Woemmel
President
Bi-State Pool & Spa
St. Louis
Dustin Watters is a native Las Vegan and works in his family’s pool business, Watters Aquatech Pools & Spas. Though the company’s focus is new construction and design, it also has a service department. After getting his degree from Arizona State University, Watters returned to Las Vegas and joined the company full time, first as field supervisor, then construction superintendent. In 2007, he was promoted to vice president, overseeing all residential design and sales, and day-to-day operations. Though he never saw himself being part of the family business, Watters is passionate about the industry and loves his pool career.
Dustin Watters
Vice president
Watters Aquatech Pools & Spas
Las Vegas
Audra Johnson is part of the second generation running Johnson’s Pool, Spa, Hearth in Owego, New York. In addition to Johnson managing an 8,000-square-foot retail location selling pool supplies, hot tubs and hearth products, the company also installs vinyl-liner, fiberglass and above-ground pools and operates a service department. The 48-year-old business has 25 employees.
Audra Johnson
Partner
Johnson’s Pool, Spa, Hearth
Owego, New York
Jeanette Horn took over operating her family’s pool business, Horn Family Pools, in 2011. The residential-only service and repair company services around 70 accounts. Her husband Jason has worked in the pool industry since 1997 with a variety of companies, including founding Horn Family Pools. The couple’s son, JD, joined the business in 2019. Horn Family Pools’ tagline is “Family values, professional service,” and Horn says they aim to be true to those words with every client they service.
Jeanette Horn, CPO, CPI, TX-RAIL license
Owner
Horn Family Pools LLC
Mabank, Texas
Member of IPSSA and PHTA
Hal Denbar founded Patriot Pool & Spa in Austin, Texas, immediately after graduating from Texas A&M University in 2006. After 5 years as a one-poler, Patriot experienced rapid growth and grew to a team of more than 40 people servicing over 1,000 pools per week. Patriot Pool & Spa was recognized for four consecutive years on the Inc 5000 list as one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. In December 2020, Denbar sold Patriot to National Pool Partners and joined NPP as a founding partner and president of the Texas region. Denbar believes consolidators in this industry can bring increased professionalism, wages, training, benefits and better technology to pool service companies of every size.
Hal Denbar
Founding partner/president
National Pool Partners – Texas
Orlando, Florida
Ken Scott founded AquaBliss Pools 10 years ago. He has an extensive history in facilities management, making an organic transition to an aquatic artisan. AquaBliss is a family owned and operated company that delivers state of the art service while maintaining personalized attention. Scott has been very active in local and national associations with an ongoing 10-year IPSSA membership serving at the national level, and founder of the first UPA chapter in Florida. Community service is at the forefront of the AquaBliss organization. Scott is an active member of the Drowning Prevention Task Force and McGovern Foundation. Scott started the “A Buck A Pool” movement to provide funds for swimming lessons and lifeguard certification. The AquaBliss family truly believes the aquatic industry is a rewarding career path.
Ken Scott
Owner
AquaBliss Pool Services
Deerfield Beach, Florida
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