Genesis Goes Back to Its Roots to Celebrate 20th Anniversary

Members and sponsors gathered near the site of the first Genesis school.

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Joanne Mcclain

More than 100 members, students and sponsors traveled to Paso Robles, Calif. to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Genesis, the design/construction education provider. The location, the Allegretto Vineyard Resort, was close to the site of the first Genesis class.

“It felt like being surrounded by an extended family, and I feel good about being able to participate in some small way in creating this,” said Genesis Co-Founder Skip Phillips.

The event included several gatherings, along with side trips to enjoy Hearst Castle, taste wine and zip line. Visitors also toured the extensive art collection at the resort. It concluded with a non-denominational worship service.

Phillips viewed the occasion as an important marker for Genesis, which became part of the National Swimming Pool Foundation in 2015.

“To me, it was a formal hand-off of the baton — a formal way of saying, ‘Thank you, and we recognize what the future looks like and it really is you,’” he said.

Genesis was founded in 1998 by Phillips, with fellow designer/builders Brian Van Bower and David Tisherman.

About the Author

Rebecca Robledo

Rebecca Robledo is deputy editor of Pool & Spa News and Aquatics International. She is an award-winning trade journalist with more than 25 years experience reporting on and editing content for the pool, spa and aquatics industries. She specializes in technical, complex or detail-oriented subject matter with an emphasis in design and construction, as well as legal and regulatory issues. For this coverage and editing, she has received numerous awards, including four Jesse H. Neal Awards, considered by many to be the “Pulitzer Prize of Trade Journalism.”