In episode 271 of the Pool Nation Podcast — where it’s all pool talk (and we ain’t talking about netting and jetting)! In this Best of Pool Nation special, Edgar, John, Zach, and the Cannonball King himself, Spider, host an action-packed lineup featuring Heritage Pool Supply, Aquastar, and the Pool Nation Hall of Fame inductees.

Get ready for a mix of laughs, real stories, industry insight, and a few surprises — from distribution and leadership to water safety, Hall of Fame jackets, and even where this year’s After Party might be!

Whether you’re a pool pro, supplier, or industry insider, this episode has something for everyone who’s part of the Nation.

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast – Intro & the Marco Polo Champ Returns 01:30 – The “Best of Pool Nation” and why this episode matters 05:20 – Heritage Pool Supply joins the studio: meet Logan, Jeff, Grayson, Chris & Isaac 13:40 – Real talk from behind the counter: how distribution supports pool pros 24:10 – Building bridges between service, retail, and distribution 33:15 – Spider’s Cannonball & JJ’s “two wake-up mornings” story 41:00 – Aquastar x Every Child a Swimmer – safety, purpose & partnership 56:30 – Casey McGovern, Todd Pierre, and Steve Barnes join the conversation 01:10:00 – Why Aquastar’s partnership goes beyond donations 01:27:40 – The emotional side of leadership & water safety awareness 01:40:00 – Pool Nation Hall of Fame: celebrating legends Steve Barnes & Terry Arko 01:54:00 – Behind the scenes: the jacket redesign & Hall of Fame stories 02:10:00 – Remembering Bob Lowry and how his legacy shaped Pool Nation 02:25:00 – Future of the Pool Nation Awards & 2025 After-Party scouting 02:37:00 – Closing thoughts: unity, education, and the future of our industry

• Logan, Jeff, Grayson, Chris, and Isaac – Heritage Pool Supply

• Casey McGovern – Every Child a Swimmer

• Todd Pierre & Steve Barnes – Aquastar Pool Products

• Terry Arko – Industry Hall of Fame Inductee

• SPPA – Pool pros’ trusted insurance partner.

• US Motors – Neptune Variable Speed Motor: smart, quiet, efficient.

• BluRay XL – The real mineral purifier. bluerayxl.com

• AquaStar Pool Products – Safety, innovation, and performance.

• Natural Chemistry – Simplify your service.

• Raypak – The future of heating with Nitec™ technology.

• Hayward – Innovation that shines bright.

Episode 270 Pool Nation Podcast. Welcome to a special Best of Pool Nation Podcast episode! This week, we’re celebrating some of the most inspiring and hardworking professionals in the pool industry — the people who embody what it means to be part of a Nation of Pool Pros.

In this special feature, Megan Kendrick from Pool Pro Magazine joins Edgar De Jesus to talk with James Broderick, Aiden Dunn, and Nick LaPointe — all nominees for the Pool Nation 30 Under 40 Pool Pro of the Year Award. Hear how James built JB Pools from the ground up, how Aiden grew his family business into a thriving operation, and what drives each of them to raise the bar for service and professionalism.

We also feature highlights from powerful interviews with industry leaders like Josh Sandler, CEO of Gold Medal Pools, who shares his family’s multi-generation legacy and how they grew through the 2008 recession, and a fun conversation with Brian Croson, Johnny Davis, Andrew Raglin, and Daniel Nicholas, all nominees for Pool Sales Rep of the Year, sharing stories, laughter, and lessons from the field.

💡 Whether you’re just starting out or running a multi-team operation, these stories remind us why passion, grit, and integrity matter most in the pool industry.

🎧 Listen now to get inspired, laugh with the crew, and celebrate the people moving the pool industry forward.

Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: Welcome to the Best of Pool Nation 01:20 – Megan Kendrick joins the show 03:00 – James Broderick on building JB Pools 12:15 – Aiden Dunn’s family legacy and growth 18:50 – Customer trust and service lessons 24:00 – Green-to-Clean of the Month shout-out 27:10 – Interview with Josh Sandler, CEO of Gold Medal Pools 49:00 – Building through the 2008 recession 58:30 – Sales Rep of the Year nominees panel: Brian, Johnny, Andrew & Daniel 1:10:00 – Funny behind-the-scenes moments 1:20:00 – Final thoughts and wrap-up

In Episode 269 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus sits down with Megan Kendrick from Pool Pro Magazine and the incredible female nominees from the Pool Nation Awards 30 Under 40 — Nelly Allen, Katie Morrissey, Maddy Vandiver, and Sarah Hoopes.

These powerhouse women share their journeys, challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned while shaping the pool industry’s future. From leadership and training to innovation and resilience, each story highlights the strength and passion behind the next generation of pool pros.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• How each nominee built their career and broke through barriers

• Leadership lessons from women redefining success in the pool industry

• Balancing personal growth, mentorship, and career in a demanding trade

• Behind-the-scenes stories from Pool Pro Magazine’s 30 Under 40

• What to expect at the Pool Nation Awards in Las Vegas

🎧 A must-listen for anyone passionate about growth, recognition, and empowering women in the pool industry.

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:00 – Introducing Megan Kendrick & the Queen of Marco Polo 02:00 – Shoutout to sponsors and audience 04:00 – Meet the 30 Under 40 Female Nominees 06:00 – How Nelly transitioned from hospitality to the pool industry 10:00 – The evolution and impact of Amenity Collective 15:00 – Customer service lessons from hospitality to pool service 20:00 – Building communication and customer trust 25:00 – Katie’s journey from Happy Pools to Aquastar 28:00 – Surviving California wildfires and rebuilding a business 35:00 – Wiring pumps and the $10K Pool Pro Challenge 40:00 – Maddy’s journey from lifeguard to industry trainer 45:00 – Leadership through teaching and empowering technicians 50:00 – Managing large teams and running a thriving Atlanta company 55:00 – Sarah’s story: from swim instructor to GM in Arizona 58:00 – Leading a 700-pool operation under Arizona’s heat 01:02:00 – Running marathons and pushing limits 01:05:00 – The importance of education and community in the pool industry 01:07:00 – Closing thoughts and invitation to the Pool Nation Awards

This episode is brought to you by our Visionary Partners, who help make the Pool Nation Podcast possible:

🌟 The SPPA – The premier insurance provider for pool pros 🌟 Blu-Ray XL 🌟 AquaStar Pool Products 🌟 Natural Chemistry 🌟 Raypak 🌟 Heritage Pool Supply 🌟 Hayward Pool Products 🌟 Poolside Tech 🌟 Pool Brain 🌟 Nidec

Thank you for your continued support in driving education, recognition, and excellence across the pool industry.