
Every year, filter-products manufacturer Pleatco sponsors its Perfect PoolGuy and Perfect PoolGal contest, allowing the industry to vote from among more than 100 contestants who best personifies the profession.
"We have been truly overwhelmed by the sheer quality of the nominations and the thousands of votes cast," said Pleatco Chief Marketing Officer Battista Remati. "The entries were compelling and heartfelt across the board."
This year’s major winners will each be awarded the Genesis course C201: Concrete Pools or C260: Vinyl Liner/Fiberglass Pools.
An awards ceremony will be held Wed., Nov. 17 at the The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo 2021 in Dallas.
Here are this year's winners, special honorees and finalists:
Pleatco Perfect PoolGal 2021
Kristen Melo
Preserve Pools
Summerville, South Carolina

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 honorable. 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 over the years, and it means so much to me that the work that I am so passionate about also resonates with others.
I didn't get to the point I have without help. I would like to thank my parents most of all for their non stop support because without them I could not have given the dedication and long hours needed for our company and the industry to become the professional that I am, especially as quickly as I have. Thank you so much to Erik Knight with Orenda for answering the phone every time I call with all of my crazy chemistry anomaly moments and patiently finding our way through every possible scenario until we get to the bottom of the issue… no matter how long it takes. I’ve learned more from our phone calls than I ever could from a book or the internet.
I would also like to thank my children for their love and support throughout this journey. Last, but not least, thank you to all of my loyal customers whom I absolutely would not be here without. I hope that this recognition of my work can serve as an inspiration to others in the field."
Pleatco Perfect PoolGuy 2021
Michael Baker
Ambiance Pool Service & Supplies
Tucson, Arizona

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 Pool Guy 2021 Award is truly an honor. The award reflects all the hard work put out by the entire Ambiance Team. I would not be in this position without them and the support of my family. I’d like to give a special thanks to Pleatco, Pentair, GENESIS / PHTA and Aqua Magazine for honoring all the hard-working Poolguys and Poolgals throughout the country. “
Pleatco Lifetime Achievement Award 2021
Helmut Heckersbruch
Seychelles Pool & Spa
Lachine, Quebec, Canada
Heckersbruch says: “Sometimes being a Pool guy is hard work and sometimes it is easy, it deep ends. It's a waterful life. Weir always told “you mermaid to succeed.” I was trying to make a big splash in the pool business and I was shocked to win the Pleatco Lifetime Achievement Award 2021. Coping with this win has been such a high dive and very grateful to always have a ladder in the deep end. Years of being married to chlorine, feeling so bleached always having a splashing good time! I skim this award with great pride and joy." ”
Pleatco Young Achiever Award 2021
Dana Herens
Nautix Lifeguards and Maintenance
Marietta, Georgia
Herens says: “Thank you so much to Pleatco for recognizing me with the Pleacto Young Achiever Award 2021. It is truly an honor to be chosen for this award from such a large pool of hardworking applicants in this industry. Thank you to my boss and mentor, Chad Freeman, for nominating me, teaching me, and always believing in me. Lastly, thank you to the rest of my Nautix family, my real family, and all my friends for supporting me and listening to all my wild pool stories!”
Pleatco Customer Service Award 2021
Luis Cervantes
Goodall Pools & Spas
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Cervantes says: "It’s a privilege and and honor to be chosen for the Pleatco Customer Service Award 2021. I would like to thank my family who put up with my crazy hours through out the busy season, my Goodall Pools family for giving me the support and tools to succeed, also my customers for their support. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this prestigious award."
Pleatco Rising Star Award 2021
Devin Miller
Poolwerx
Union Hills - Phoenix AZ
Miller says: “I would like to first thank Poolwerx, they have always been like family, I would like to Thank Bobbi and Mark Howard for nominating me, I would like to thank my girlfriend Kelly for always supporting me and encouraging me to be the best version of myself everyday. This is an honor and I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity. “
FINALISTS:
Emanuel Gonzalez
Heritage Pools, North Charleston S.C.
Rob Haden
Indigo Pool Patio & BBQ, Venice, Fla.
Amanda Welch
Sunshine Pools and Billiards, Wills Point, Texas
Mike Rison
Superior Pool & Spa Service, Miamisburg Ohio
Evan Hasbrouck
Hasbrouck Pool & Spa, Norristown, Pa.
Peter Cook
Lang Pool and Spa, Westport, Conn.
Sean Thornton
Century Pool Service, Hypoluxo, Fla.
Peter Murray
Swimmin with the Fishes, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
John Rigby
Rigby’s Pool Services, Camden, Del.
Kristine Blanchard
Paquette Pools and Spas, Hooksett, N.H.
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
Jules Atiler
Mission Pool and Spa Supplies, Mission Viejo, Calif.
Lorenzo Villa Jr
Pescador Pools, La Verne, Calif.
Grant Schippert
Bonsall Pool and Spa, Lincoln, Neb.
Patrick McEwen
Paquette Pools and Spas, Hooksett, N.H.
Eric Bohler
Hansens Pool and Spa, Kenosha, Wisc.
Carly Green
The Comfort Center, St. Joseph, Mo.
Wesley Hoagland
Collins Pool Management, Stockbridge, Ga.
Chris Chambers
Metropolitan Pool Service, Amherst, Ohio
Gilbert Sanmiguel
Just Pools Services, Acworth, Ga.
Brad Williams
Spartan Pool and Spa, Mission Viejo, Calif.
Jason Carmack Reedy
JStarr Pool Service, Phoenix
Alan Wiles
Manning Pool Service, Houston, Texas