Pleatco, LLC, a leader in pool and spa filtration products, with longtime co-sponsors GENESIS® and the National Swimming Pool Foundation®, today announced the winners of the 2018 Perfect Pool Guy and Gal Search!
The annual Pleatco PoolGuy/Gal Search is an innovative way to honor the hard-working men and women of the pool and spa service industry.
With more than70 contestants, this year’s entrants were as impressive as ever.
This year, Dick Abare, of Tampa, Florida, won the prestigious title of Pleatco Perfect PoolGuy 2018. “When we made the calls in the final judging stage every single person commented on Dick’s passion, honesty, leadership and integrity” remarked Howard Smith, CEO of Pleatco. In response to winning the award, Dick replied, “It’s an honor and a privilege to be chosen Pleatco’s ‘Perfect Pool Guy 2018’. It’s very exciting to be part of the Pleatco Family, and I’m looking forward to our adventure together. I’m overwhelmed and very grateful for all the support from my family, friends and this outstanding industry that I’m lucky enough to be a part of. Thank you...All!.”
This year’s Perfect PoolGal 2018 is Andrea Nannini, from Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Following her mother into the pool industry, Andrea started as a service tech in 2002 and in 2016 she earned her pool operator certification. Over the years Andrea has taken every opportunity possible to learn everything she can with her two main career goals: to be the most knowledgeable pool professional she can be, and to inspire other women and fellow pool girls to believe in themselves, and follow what they are passionate about. “When I started in the pool industry sixteen years ago, I never would've dreamed I would be where I am today. My mother, whom I consider to be the best pool girl ever, opened the door for me and I will never look back!” Andrea remarked with humility and pride.
Dick ABARE and Andrea NANNINI
With so many worthy entrants, Pleatco once again expanded the contest and created additional awards. "During our final interviews, we were impressed by the caliber and diversity of so many individuals that we felt it was proper to recognize the outstanding achievements of several other entrants,” says Jeff Smith, Executive VP. "In that spirit, we selected contestants for Special Awards based on their contribution to their community and the pool and spa industry."
2018 Industry Leadership Award : Steve Goodale Paris, Ontario, Canada

2018 Big Heart Award : Chris Richards Hurst, TX
2018 Community Leader Award Eric Honeyman Wichita, KS
2018 Customer Service Award : Libby McKennon El Paso, TX
2018 Future Leadership Award : Lamar Jeantinoble West Palm Beach, FL
“The service industry is extremely important when it comes to helping owners fully enjoy and appreciate their pools,” adds GENESIS® Ambassador and co-founder Brian Van Bower. “Skip Phillips and I started our careers in pool service and it has always been near and dear to our hearts. We are proud to help honor our hard-working service professionals through the Pleatco contest!”
“We also are fortunate to be the co-sponsor of this wonderful contest. At NSPF we fully support initiatives that keep pools safer, keep pools open, and ensure more people can enjoy the water. We recognize the crucial role every pool service technician plays, we are honored to celebrate them, and are pleased to offer our AST® Certification as a major prize for each and every finalist, to nurture their continued growth,” says NSPF® CEO Thomas Lachocki, Ph.D.
This year’s Perfect Pool Guy and Perfect Pool Gal will each receive a trip for two to the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo held in Las Vegas, November 2018. Both winners may attend a GENESIS® school free of charge ($5,000 value) being held at the show. Winners (and finalists) will receive NSPF’s AST® Certification course ($1,100 value) free of charge, also offered at the show. Also NSPF® will offer their AST® Certification course free of charge to ALL other major award winners.
"On behalf of Pleatco, GENESIS®, and NSPF®, we’d like to thank everyone who entered, nominated, and voted in our 11th annual ‘Pleatco Perfect Pool Guy Contest’” remarked Howard Smith, CEO. "We have been truly overwhelmed by the sheer quality of the nominations and the thousands of votes cast. The entries were compelling and heartfelt across the board. And we look forward to a great awards presentation."
The official awards ceremony will be held Thursday November 1st, at the Pleatco booth #3137 at 1:00 pm at this year’s PSP Expo in Las Vegas.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME to attend and congratulate the winners in person.
(Press release)
