Triumphant: Since 1955, W.W. Adcock has provided distribution services from its Pennsylvania base. In this 1980 photo, founder Woodrow W. Adcock (seated) is joined by sons Dee (left) and Dale.
New beginnings: A twist of fate brought Zee Allred to California, where she co-founded Pool Water Products.
Family ties: Baystate Pool Supplies started as the dream of two brothers and today the Arakelian clan continues to steer the Massachusetts-based firm into the future.
Family ties: Three generations of the Silver family lead Bel-Aqua’s distribution business on the East Coast.
Up for the challenge: In the 1970s, Don Kern, co-founder, and Pat Price, controller, headed up Kern Products — which became the distributor now known as Superior Pool Products (PoolCorp).
Up for the challenge: Jack Engelhart and Bill Morrish founded Quality Pool Supply Co. 43 years ago, and family members have skillfully guided the Michigan firm through challenges over the years.
Forward thinkers: Gerabad Hachikian launched his firm in 1923 as a bleach business.
Forward thinkers: 91 years later, granddaughter Nanette Zakian (with a photo of her and her father) leads the Pennsylvania-based distributor Hachik.
Forward thinkers: In Florida, Bill Kent (below) heads HornerXpress, which does business in 90 nations.
New beginnings: Latham, N.Y.-based Imperial Pools segued from a car dealership to pools.
New beginnings: Olen Morgan began as a pool builder, but decided to meet the need for distributors in the Southeast by starting Pool Builders Supply.
New beginnings: The PBS team continues to grow.