Every year, Pleatco's Perfect PoolGuy and Perfect PoolGal competition reveals impressive professionals in the service sector of this industry.
The filtration products maker recently revealed the winners, voted by the industry and public. They received a trip for two to the 2019 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in New Orleans, where they also attended a Genesis school free of charge. Winners and finalists were offered a free Pool & Hot Tub Alliance course.
This year's Pleatco Perfect PoolGuy is Jim Hedlund.
Hedlund’s career started at age 15. Working as a part-time sales associate for a local swimming pool retailer, he eventually began maintaining pools for the company. At 18, he started his own construction business specializing in framing, roofing and siding homes. He continued servicing pools for the retailer during evenings and weekends.
After getting married, Hedlund and his wife, Diane, opened their own pool and spa retail store, offering inground and aboveground pools, spas, service and supplies. “Working in the pool industry is great because when we’re done installing a pool, our customer is ecstatic!” he says.
Nearly 25 years later, the Hudson, N.H.-based business is still going strong. One reason for Advanced Spa and Pool’s (ASAP) success is the passion and dedication of its team. Hedlund believes in hiring people based on their attitude and turning them into exceptional employees through education and training. Every January Hedlund closes shop to send his employees to the Northeast Spa and Pool Association’s Pool & Spa Show for professional education.
Hedlund is past president of APSP Region 9 and has served as a certification instructor for the organization.
When not working, he can be found camping or fly-fishing, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle or adding to his collection of 1970s muscle cars.
He credits the support and work ethic of his wife, children and employees for the company’s success.
In response to being named 2019 Perfect PoolGuy, Hedlund says, “It was extremely humbling to find out my daughter nominated me. That forced me to take a few minutes and think about what the business means to myself and my family.
“I love working with my wife, daughter and son every day,” he adds. “Our dream was to have a business that we could pass on to our children, and we are blessed that our dream is coming true.”
