After receiving more than 100 entries from aquatic industry professionals, Pleatco, a manufacturer of filter cartridges in Glen Cove, N.Y., and longtime co-sponsor GENESIS®/National Swimming Pool Foundation®, have named the winners of the 2017 Perfect Pool Guy and Gal contest.
Paul Oliver, of Patriot Pool and Spa in Austin, Texas, won the Perfect PoolGuy title, while Roberta Prygon of The Pool & Spa Place in North Cranbury, NJ, received this year’s Perfect PoolGal designation.
“When we made the calls to Paul’s references in the final judging stage, every single person commented on his great customer service, honesty, and integrity, and they universally testified that he is one of the most passionate and dedicated pool guys in the industry,” said Pleatco’s CEO Howard Smith.
In response to winning the award, Oliver said, “The quest for perfection has no final destination; it’s a continuous journey that I’ll forever be on. The Pleatco family and Patriot Pool and Spa have let me know that I’m truly on the right path and where I need to be.”
The founder of The Pool & Spa Place, John Migliaccio, nominated Prygon for bringing her ‘A’ game to work every day and making all of her co-workers feel wanted, happy, and part of the team.
“I am stoked to have been chosen as this year’s winner,” said Prygon. “To be recognized and regarded so highly by my co-workers, clients, peers, family, and friends is overwhelming and humbling. I love my job and the amazing people I encounter on a daily basis.”
This year’s winners will each receive a trip for two to next week’s International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in Orlando, Fla. Both winners may attend the GENESIS® Basic Pool Construction course free of charge ($5000 value) being held at the show. Winners (and finalists) will also receive NSPF’s ASTCM Certification course ($1100 value) free of charge, also offered at the show. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the contest with Pleatco, the NSPF® is offering this certification course free of charge to all Perfect Pool Guy/Gal alumni.
Due to the number of entrants, Pleatco once again expanded the contest and created additional awards.
“During our final interviews, we were impressed by the calibre and diversity of so many individuals that we felt it was proper to recognize the outstanding achievements of several other entrants,” said Pleatco’s CMO, Battista Remati. “In that spirit, we selected contestants for special awards based on their contribution to their community and the pool and spa industry.”
The recipients of these awards include: Bryan Norris ( Pleatco Community Leadership Award); Justin Word (Pleatco Big Heart Award); Josh Kopischke (Pleatco Future Leader Award); Jessica Sanders (Pleatco Customer Service Award); Bob Barzilay ( Pleatco Industry Leadership Award); and Cathy and Mike Snyder (Pleatco Perfect Partnership Award).
“The service industry is extremely important when it comes to helping owners fully enjoy and appreciate their pools,” said GENESIS® ambassador and co-founder Brian Van Bower. “Skip Phillips and I started our careers in pool service and it has always been near and dear to our hearts. We are proud to help honour our hard-working service professionals through the Pleatco contest.”
NSPF® CEO Thomas Lachocki, Ph.D., said the NSPF is fortunate to be the co-sponsor of the Perfect Pool Guy/Gal contest.
“The NSPF fully supports initiatives that keep pools safer, keep pools open, and ensure more people can enjoy the water,” said Lachocki. “We recognize the crucial role every pool service technician plays, we are honoured to celebrate them, and we are pleased to offer our certification course as a major prize for each and every finalist to nurture their continued growth.”
The official awards ceremony will be held Thursday Nov. 2, at Pleatco’s booth (#931) at 1 p.m.
