2010 Winners

2010 PoolGuy / Gal The reigning monarchs Rich Tarricone & Sabrina Clonts Once again, we have collected the absolute best in the industry through the Pleatco Perfect Poo... Rich Tarricone 2010 Pleatco Perfect PoolGuy I started in the pool business working for my brother Drew when I was 17 years old. He was a pool legend in Sarasota County. He was the nicest guy and the perfect brother. I put myself through school at Univ. of So. Florida on my days off and nights. 5 years later I received my degree in Business Administration and Marketing. I went to work for 3M as a sales rep in their office products division. After a year of essentially suit and tie door to door business sales,if left,thinking I wasted a year of my life. I returned to working with my brother temporarily. I began realize I had a knack for the pool business. Then tragedy stuck, my brother died from a wasp bite. His wife sold the com- pany shortly after. I eventually started a new company named Britewater Pools with my old friend Mike. My sales experience payed off, we took over 3 other companies in our first 4 years and had a staff of 12 people. After 13 successful years we sold the company to the Mar Mgt Corporation whose goal was to use it as a model across the state of Florida. Shortly there after, I went to work for Pebble Technology, it was a fantastic job.After nearly six years I was laid off due to the economy and the decline in the pool building business. My dream career had disappeared and I was left with a fam- ily to support. Luckily my father had taught me to always have something to fall back on. I had kept my pool license and knew it was time to follow a second dream of owing my own single owner pool business. After 3 months of extreme diligence and state paper work I started Aquatic Pool Systems. I would focus on speciality repairs and consulting. Next month my successful company will be one year old. To me this award acts as symbol of achievement and recogni- tion as I celebrate my survival not only in life but in my pool career. It will always be a reminder for all my hard work and the gratitude that I owe my many friends,family,peers and mentors who continue to believe in me.My hope is that this title will be a reminder to all pool people out there that with hard work and involvement, you can make a career out of being a true pool professional. I thank God and Pleatco for this great opportunity. Aquatic Pool Systems, LLC - North Port, FL Website Back to top
2010 PoolGuy / Gal The reigning monarchs Rich Tarricone & Sabrina Clonts Once again, we have collected the absolute best in the industry through the Pleatco Perfect Poo... Sabrina Clonts 2010 Pleatco Perfect PoolGal I started with Kenco Pools in July 1997. My best friend had purchased a pool from Kenco Pools and we were taking in a water sample and the manager asked if anyone needed a job. I filled out an application and started the next day. I worked with Kenco Pools while I was going to college at Stephen F. Austin State University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Once I graduated Ken, our owner, asked me what they were going to pay me to teach and said he would match it, so in January 2000, I took over as assistant manager of our Longview location. In 2001 I was promoted to store manager and I have been here ever since. Customers are my passion and I love working with my customers both inside our retail store and in the field as well. My customers are shocked when I sell them a replacement liner in the store and then I am out with our crew the next day to do the measuring. You don’t see many women doing field work in our industry. I am excited to see what the future holds for our industry, I have seen so many new technologies in the 13 years I have worked in the industry I am curious to see what the next few years hold. I check my Iphone weekly for new pool related applications and I am really excited to watch and see how those advance. I have been very honored to bring this title to East Texas and share it with all my friends, family, coworkers, customers and my dog Sadie. Having worked in the same location for over 10 years I know my customers on a first name basis and they truly are my extended family. I am blessed to work in an environment where I am bring my dog to work everyday and the customers love it. I have customers that come by just to play with the puppy and that is when you know you truly are family. Kenco Pools - Longview, TX Back to top
Courtney Wilson 2010 Pleatco Big Heart Award My passion for the pool business has been ever growing; I can honestly say I am a lifer in the pool industry. At an early age I was learning the way of the business, we had a pool in our backyard and I would test the water, trying to act like my dad. I started working at my parents store when I was seventeen. Over the years I have learned that the pool business is always changing, we used to test water with test kits, then test strips and meters now it is all computerized. Lifer in the pool industry, yes I am and I wouldn’t have it any other way I love it. Perry’s Pool Shop, Indiana Nominated By: Chelsea Marcum Back to top
Dan Stebner 2010 Industry Achievement Award I have been servicing hot tubs at Sun Peaks Resort for 15 years. I often found myself frustrated from being undersold bye the poor quality workmanship of the competition. To prove my commitment to customers and the industry I made the move to open a retail store at the resort. It will be the first Hydropool Hot Tub dealer ever at a resort. Sun Peaks Spas, Canada Nominated By: Chelsea Marcum Back to top
Nick Falco 2010 Industry Achievement Award I am a proud husband, father and founder of Aquaguard Pools, Inc. My journey in the pool industry began in 1988, just days following my high school graduation. I was hired to be a stock boy at a small family owned pool company. As I progressed to retail & service throughout the 16 years of working there, I never would have imagined it would blossom into such a strong passion for the industry. This is why I decided to start my own business in 2004. The pool industry has become a part of my life for over 22 years and I’ve grown to know and appreciate many others in the industry like myself. Aqua Guard Pools, Illinois Nominated by Monica Falco / Carmen Ramirez Back to top
Adam Litke 2010 Pleatco Future Industry Leader Award I live and work in the beautiful foothills of Norther CA, in a small town called Grass Valley. I am 25 years old and have been in the pool and spa industry for 8 and a half years now. I service about 100 pools a week. I absolutly love this industry and love what I do. I have some of the nicest customers a service tech could ask for and its a pleasure to be on a first name basis with all of them. Thanks to all of my customers and family and friends for the continued support. All Seasons Pools & Spas, California Self Nominated Back to top
Johnathan Santosco 2010 Future Industry leader Award I have owned my own pool service going on four years and have been in the pool service industry for eight years. I am also a new father to twin boys! I am very busy throughout the week with managing and repairs (and often cleaning pools) but still find time to be with my sons. Customers often call me to tell me no one has ever cleaned their pool as well as me. My business is dedicated to quality and dependability. All Seasons Pools & Spas, California Nominated by Melissa Santoscoy Back to top
Brian Barga 2010 Industry Achievement Award I have been in the business for over 16 yrs. All of my clients are like friends and majority of all my business is referral based. I do all of my work by myself and completely satisfy all my new clients! I haven’t saved anyone’s life while doing pools, I save that for when I work at the fire station. Back to top
It's a dogs life PoolGuy Creative Video Entry Steve Miller Entry Steve and his dog explain why they should be the Pleatco Perfect Poolguy. Steve Miller Most Creative Entry Crystal River Spas I work in one of the most demanding areas in the world for high-end, high quality service. Aspen Colorado where you have million dollar pools with billionaire clients. I am a 26 year veteran of pool and spa service and have always strived to be in the top of my field. I started in Augusta Ga. and moved here five years ago to perfect my craft. Back to top
Distinguished Finalists Kevin James, Rhode Island Paul O’Neil, Ontario, Canada Len Garavalia, Virginia Steve Reid, Arizona Kelly Kalfsbeek, California Amanda Miller, Texas Kent Simpson, California Back to top

2010 PoolGuy / Gal

The reigning monarchs

Rich Tarricone & Sabrina Clonts
Once again, we have collected the absolute best in the industry through the Pleatco Perfect Poo...

Rich Tarricone
2010 Pleatco Perfect PoolGuy

I started in the pool business working for my brother Drew when I was 17 years old. He was a pool legend in Sarasota County. He was the nicest guy and the perfect brother.
I put myself through school at Univ. of So. Florida on my days off and nights. 5 years later I received my degree in Business Administration and Marketing. I went to work for 3M as a sales rep in their office products division. After a year of essentially suit and tie door to door business sales,if left,thinking I wasted a year of my life.

I returned to working with my brother temporarily. I began realize I had a knack for the pool business. Then tragedy stuck, my brother died from a wasp bite. His wife sold the com- pany shortly after. I eventually started a new company named Britewater Pools with my old friend Mike. My sales experience payed off, we took over 3 other companies in our first 4 years and had a staff of 12 people. After 13 successful years we sold the company to the Mar Mgt Corporation whose goal was to use it as a model across the state of Florida.

Shortly there after, I went to work for Pebble Technology, it was a fantastic job.After nearly six years I was laid off due to the economy and the decline in the pool building business.
My dream career had disappeared and I was left with a fam- ily to support. Luckily my father had taught me to always have something to fall back on. I had kept my pool license and knew it was time to follow a second dream of owing my own single owner pool business. After 3 months of extreme diligence and state paper work I started Aquatic Pool Systems. I would focus on speciality repairs and consulting. Next month my successful company will be one year old.

To me this award acts as symbol of achievement and recogni- tion as I celebrate my survival not only in life but in my pool career. It will always be a reminder for all my hard work and the gratitude that I owe my many friends,family,peers and mentors who continue to believe in me.My hope is that this title will be a reminder to all pool people out there that with hard work and involvement, you can make a career out of being a true pool professional. I thank God and Pleatco for this great opportunity.

Aquatic Pool Systems, LLC - North Port, FL Website

2010 PoolGuy / Gal

The reigning monarchs

Rich Tarricone & Sabrina Clonts
Once again, we have collected the absolute best in the industry through the Pleatco Perfect Poo...

Sabrina Clonts
2010 Pleatco Perfect PoolGal

I started with Kenco Pools in July 1997. My best friend had purchased a pool from Kenco Pools and we were taking in a water sample and the manager asked if anyone needed a job. I filled out an application and started the next day.

I worked with Kenco Pools while I was going to college at Stephen F. Austin State University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Once I graduated Ken, our owner, asked me what they were going to pay me to teach and said he would match it, so in January 2000, I took over as assistant manager of our Longview location. In 2001 I was promoted to store manager and I have been here ever since.

Customers are my passion and I love working with my customers both inside our retail store and in the field as well. My customers are shocked when I sell them a replacement liner in the store and then I am out with our crew the next day to do the measuring. You don’t see many women doing field work in our industry. I am excited to see what the future holds for our industry, I have seen so many new technologies in the 13 years I have worked in the industry I am curious to see what the next few years hold. I check my Iphone weekly for new pool related applications and I am really excited to watch and see how those advance.

I have been very honored to bring this title to East Texas and share it with all my friends, family, coworkers, customers and my dog Sadie. Having worked in the same location for over 10 years I know my customers on a first name basis and they truly are my extended family. I am blessed to work in an environment where I am bring my dog to work everyday and the customers love it. I have customers that come by just to play with the puppy and that is when you know you truly are family.

Kenco Pools - Longview, TX

Courtney Wilson
2010 Pleatco Big Heart Award

My passion for the pool business has been ever growing; I can honestly say I am a lifer in the pool industry. At an early age I was learning the way of the business, we had a pool in our backyard and I would test the water, trying to act like my dad. I started working at my parents store when I was seventeen. Over the years I have learned that the pool business is always changing, we used to test water with test kits, then test strips and meters now it is all computerized. Lifer in the pool industry, yes I am and I wouldn’t have it any other way I love it.

Perry’s Pool Shop, Indiana
Nominated By: Chelsea Marcum

Dan Stebner
2010 Industry Achievement Award

I have been servicing hot tubs at Sun Peaks Resort for 15 years. I often found myself frustrated from being undersold bye the poor quality workmanship of the competition. To prove my commitment to customers and the industry I made the move to open a retail store at the resort. It will be the first Hydropool Hot Tub dealer ever at a resort.

Sun Peaks Spas, Canada
Nominated By: Chelsea Marcum

Nick Falco
2010 Industry Achievement Award

I am a proud husband, father and founder of Aquaguard Pools, Inc. My journey in the pool industry began in 1988, just days following my high school graduation. I was hired to be a stock boy at a small family owned pool company. As I progressed to retail & service throughout the 16 years of working there, I never would have imagined it would blossom into such a strong passion for the industry. This is why I decided to start my own business in 2004. The pool industry has become a part of my life for over 22 years and I’ve grown to know and appreciate many others in the industry like myself.

Aqua Guard Pools, Illinois
Nominated by Monica Falco / Carmen Ramirez

Adam Litke
2010 Pleatco Future Industry Leader Award

I live and work in the beautiful foothills of Norther CA, in a small town called Grass Valley. I am 25 years old and have been in the pool and spa industry for 8 and a half years now. I service about 100 pools a week. I absolutly love this industry and love what I do. I have some of the nicest customers a service tech could ask for and its a pleasure to be on a first name basis with all of them. Thanks to all of my customers and family and friends for the continued support.

All Seasons Pools & Spas, California
Self Nominated

Johnathan Santosco
2010 Future Industry leader Award

I have owned my own pool service going on four years and have been in the pool service industry for eight years. I am also a new father to twin boys! I am very busy throughout the week with managing and repairs (and often cleaning pools) but still find time to be with my sons. Customers often call me to tell me no one has ever cleaned their pool as well as me. My business is dedicated to quality and dependability.

All Seasons Pools & Spas, California
Nominated by Melissa Santoscoy

Brian Barga
2010 Industry Achievement Award

I have been in the business for over 16 yrs. All of my clients are like friends and majority of all my business is referral based. I do all of my work by myself and completely satisfy all my new clients! I haven’t saved anyone’s life while doing pools, I save that for when I work at the fire station.

It's a dogs life

PoolGuy Creative Video Entry

Steve Miller Entry
Steve and his dog explain why they should be the Pleatco Perfect Poolguy.

Steve Miller
Most Creative Entry
Crystal River Spas

I work in one of the most demanding areas in the world for high-end, high quality service. Aspen Colorado where you have million dollar pools with billionaire clients. I am a 26 year veteran of pool and spa service and have always strived to be in the top of my field. I started in Augusta Ga. and moved here five years ago to perfect my craft.

Distinguished Finalists
Kevin James, Rhode Island
Paul O’Neil, Ontario, Canada
Len Garavalia, Virginia
Steve Reid, Arizona
Kelly Kalfsbeek, California
Amanda Miller, Texas
Kent Simpson, California