After receiving more than 100 entries to its popular contest, Pleatco, recently revealed the winners of the 2021 Perfect PoolGuy and PoolGal search.
Kristen Melo (pictured left) with Preserve Pools, in Summerville, South Carolina, and Michael Baker (pictured right) with Ambiance Pool Service & Supplies in Tucson, Ariz. were the overall winners of this year’s contest, which is co-sponsored by GENESIS and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA).
In response to winning the 2021 Perfect PoolGal award, Melo says: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been selected to receive the Pleatco Perfect PoolGal 2021 Award. I never would have thought I could be selected for something so honourable. I am so humbled and shocked to have my work recognized in this way by so many in the pool industry.
“Many hours went into building my business and learning as much as I have, and it means so much to me that the work I am so passionate about also resonates with others.”
Melo says she did not get to where she is at this point in her career without help.
“I would like to thank, Erik Knight with Orenda, my parents for their non-stop support, my children for their love and last, but not least, all of my loyal customers whom I absolutely would not be here without. I hope this recognition of my work can serve as an inspiration to others in the field.”
Baker was a runner up in the 2020 competition. He says he put in a great amount of effort into making sure his nomination wound up at the top of the rankings this year.
In winning this year’s Perfect PoolGuy Award Baker says: “A little more than 15 years ago I was cleaning more than 100 pools a week. I knew it was time to make a change, so I hired my first full-time pool technician. Since that day, it’s been a heck of a ride. Learning new facets of the industry, trying to better my team, and be the best boss I can be to my employees.
“I still learn something new every day. The Pleatco Perfect PoolGuy 2021 Award is truly an honour. The award reflects all the hard work by the entire Ambiance Team. I would not be in this position without them and the support of my family.”
Due to the number of worthy entrants, Pleatco once again expanded this year’s contest by creating 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,” says Pleatco’s president, Seth Soltow. “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:
- Helmut Heckersbruch, Seychelles Pool & Spa (Canada) Lifetime Achievement Award
- Dana Herens, Nautix Lifeguards and Maintenance (Georgia) Young Achiever Award
- Luis Cervantes, Goodall Pools & Spas (Pennsylvania) Customer Service Award
- Devin Miller, Poolwerx (Arizona) Rising Star Award
“The service industry is extremely important when it comes to helping owners fully enjoy and appreciate their pools,” says GENESIS Ambassador and co-founder Brian Van Bower. “We’re proud to help honour our hard-working service professionals through the Pleatco contest!”
This year’s major winners will each be awarded a GENESIS course (C201: Concrete Pools or C260: Vinyl Liner/Fibreglass Pools.
“On behalf of Pleatco, GENESIS, and Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, we’d like to thank everyone who entered, nominated, and voted in our 14th annual Pleatco Perfect PoolGuy/Gal Contest,” says Pleatco’s chief marketing officer, Battista Remati. “We’ve been truly overwhelmed by the sheer quality of the nominations and the thousands of votes cast. The entries were compelling and heartfelt across the board.”
The official awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 17 at 1 p.m. in the Pleatco booth at The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo 2021 in Dallas, Texas.
