About Me
Yes, this is it, the "About Me' page. I've always been interested in swimming pool care but I never had an outlet to say what I wanted to say, until now. So here it goes. As it says on the home page, I'm just an average guy who got into the pool business back in 1999, and found his true calling. A little background is needed. My uncle and grandfather owned a motor repair business in Arizona. In 1985 they decided to purchase a large pool business and did very well until my grandfather fell ill in June of 1998. They were getting further behind each month. In February 1999 my grandfather passed away. He was the only grandfather I knew because my other grandfather passed away when I was 5 years old. I immediately flew from Virgina to Arizona for the funeral. After the service my uncle asked if I would be interested in coming out to Arizona and helping with the business. Now, at that time I wasn't married and had no children, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to go. I arrived home, packed up all I could, and made the 2300 mile trip. I arrived in Mesa on March 28, 1999 and on March 29 my education into pools began. My uncle taught me everything I needed to know about the pool business, from water balancing and plumbing to construction and electricity (of which I still don't touch). I once received 220 reminders of why I don't mess with electricity. Over the next few months and years I had my usual route of 35-40 pools per week, not to mention many customers that would call in a panic about their green pools, electrical problems, leaks in their plumbing, etc... I met a great girl at church in June of 1999. We began dating but I soon learned how much she didn't like to heat, and I can't blame her. We were married in March of 2000 and I was blessed with my own little guy in May 2002. We moved to Oregon in September 2003 and had another little surprise, this time a perfect baby girl in December 2004.
My Playground I've been fortunate enough to be with my family and have a good life. In June 2008 I found out our local YMCA was looking for a pool operator/maintenance supervisor. It was a great opportunity to get my feet wet again, so to speak, and I've been there ever since.
My Office I like to think of pools not as just big holes with water, but where family and friends can get together and make and share memories. Some kids like sports and others video games, but all kids like to swim. That's why Summer is the best time of the year, in my opinion. Great pools and cook-outs equals great times. Food and pools, for some reason, bring people together. I don't know why that is, but what I do know is it's very difficult to get mad and hold a grudge when I'm stuffing my face full of hot dogs and hamburgers and then go swimming, diving, sliding and then get cramps because I didn't wait long enough. My own fault, I suppose. So that's pretty much it. It's interesting to see how the little decisions I made over the years have brought me to the place I am today. I have a great family, great job, and a great website where the average pool owner can come and get some really good information from someone who has been there and done that. I've made the errors so you don't have to. When I say take a fool's advice, I mean it. Don't mix Calcium Chloride with water. That will be bad. I hope you like this website as I am always adding more information. Let me know if there's is something I can do for you, something you need, something you'd like to see or have researched, another topic, or even to share your story, please e-mail. This is a family site and I will never put anything on this site that I wouldn't allow my grandmother and kids read. Remember, the best swimming is always the safest swimming, so please be careful and use your common sense. And for all you parents out there, you'll understand this one: If you don't hear your kids, THAT'S the time to check on them. Go To:
|
