Terry ArkoHASA, Inc

Terry Arko has more than 40 years’ experience in the recreational water industry, working in service, repair, retail sales, chemical manufacturing, technical service, commercial sales, and product development. He has written over 100 published articles on water chemistry. He is a member on the board of the Recreational Water Air Quality Committee (RWAQC). He is also a Certified Pool Operator instructor with the Pool Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and is head of instructors for the Pool Chemistry Training Institute PCTI Pool Chemistry Certified Residential Course. Terry is currently working as Technical Content and Product Training Manager for HASA Pool, makers of HASA Sani-Clor. He can be reached at terryarko@hasapool.com.

Daniel ChavezMesa Industries-Avient

 

Joey ChavezPoolcorp

Raised in a plaster family and approaching 20 years in the pool business from new builds to complete remodels as well as pool service. Joey has direct experience in sales and construction, from oversight to management. Joey’s active in the National Plasterers Council, IPSSA, and ICPI as well as taking and teaching numerous classes specializing in water chemistry earning him Chemistry Nerd status! He works for POOLCORP as an Interior Finishes Specialist for the complete line of NPT pool finishes. Joey approaches all customer interactions with a simple ‘what did I learn and what did I teach?’ approach.

David CookeDavid Cooke Plaster Company

Dave started plastering pools in 1977 and started the David Cooke Plaster Co. in 1983. He has been on the Board of Directors of NPC since 2003 serving as Chairman 2010-2011. He contributes to many committees and is Chair of the Membership Committee.

Jonathan DongellPebble Technology, Inc.

He is current Director of Research & Development at Pebble Technologies Inc. He is the past president of Whitestone White Cement and Universal White Cement. He is a fellow of American Concrete Institute. He has worked in the construction trade spanning 40 years. He has worked as a tradesman, journeyman, superintendent, manager, contractor, consultant, mediator, materials expert, and failures analyst. He has held a residential and commercial contractor’s license. He is a designated expert witness, failures analyst, and an inventor having three patents. He is a voting member of committees within the American Concrete Institute; American Shotcrete Association; American Society of Testing Materials, and the National Plasterer’s Council. He is a speaker and has written numerous technical papers and articles relating to plastering, shotcrete, concrete, cement, pozzolan, and polymers. He is the author of several books and was the principal author of the initial draft versions of the NPC Technical Manual; ACI 524 Guide to Plastering; and BRE/APSP/ICC/ANSI/NPC National Standard for Swimming Pool Plastering.

Bill DrakeleyDrakeley Pool Company

Former president of the American Shotcrete Association, Bill Drakeley is a managing member of Drakeley Industries, a nationwide consulting firm specializing in shotcrete applications and techniques that offers review, training, and expert witness services for shotcrete-oriented projects. Bill is also the principal and founder of Drakeley Pool Company, a luxury swimming pool and watershape design and construction firm serving Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. Drakeley Pool Company designs and installs residential swimming pools, large commercial and competition structures, and interactive and decorative water features.

An ACI-certified Examiner and Nozzleman for the shotcrete process, Bill is the first and only pool builder to sit as a Voting Member on the American Concrete Institute’s (ACI) Committee 506 – Shotcrete. Bill is also Chairman of the newly formed 506-0H Pool Shotcrete subcommittee and sits on the Board of Directors of the American Shotcrete Association (ASA). Bill serves on the Advisory Council of the Genesis 3 Design Group and is a Platinum member of the Society of Watershape Designers.

A member of APSP, NESPA, CONSPA and an educator on industry standards, Bill has conducted training at numerous venues, including for the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Genesis 3 Construction School, World of Concrete, American Shotcrete Association, Aqua Show, and the IPSP. His technical writings have been widely published in trade magazines. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University.

Jay EatonCal Plastering

NPC’s auctioneer extraordinaire! Jay Eaton has worked in the swimming pool industry since 1974 and has continuously worked for the same company. Jay started out as a self-taught pool repair technician. Over the years he has been involved in all areas of swimming pool building and remodeling including tile, deck and pool interior finishes. He is general manager of Cal Plastering, a swimming pool interior finish company with multiple demo, clean-up, acid wash and repair crews. Jay has served as a Chairman, is currently a Board member for the National Plasterer’s Council and sits on multiple committees.

Skip PhillipsGENESIS

Skip Phillips, former owner of Questar Pools, is one of the world’s most renowned designers and builders of custom swimming pools, spas and other forms of aquatic architecture. In 1993, the Robb Report declared Phillips “the world’s most influential swimming pool designer” and since then he has received extensive coverage in trade magazines and on T.V., including multiple HGTV appearances, newspapers and prestigious national publications including Better Homes & Gardens, New York Times and Wall Street Journal. He is co-founder of GENESIS and is a charter member of the Society of Watershape Designers. He is widely credited for transforming and uplifting the pool and spa industry. Phillips’ body of work includes some of the most beautiful and technically advanced watershapes of the modern era.

Jason EckenrodMulticoat Corporation

Jason is a seasoned pool industry professional with 20-plus years of practical experience including sales, distribution, construction, and education. His extensive background includes consulting on major commercial projects that include Aquatica at Sea World, Coronado Resort, Gaylord Palms, Universal Water Park, and The Peabody to name a few. He is an instructor at the Factory Training Pool School and teaches plaster application, exposure, preparation techniques, troubleshooting, and servicing pool plaster and deck finishes. Jason is well-connected in the industry and has many long-standing relationships that have proven invaluable to his success.

Tom Engel Poolcorp

Tom was born in New York and grew up between there and Virginia Beach Virginia. Tom earned his degree in Business Administration in 1987 from Old Dominion University in Norfolk Virginia. After college, he began his professional career in New York working for a large tire retail and wholesale company starting in export sales and attaining the title of Vice President in charge of export, private label products, and distribution. Tom joined PoolCorp in 2002, moving with his wife and two children to Florida. Working closely with PoolCorp branches, customers, and vendors Tom earned many team and individual performance recognitions. Over the years Tom developed a passion for the Building Materials side of our business and helping customers and employees to achieve success with these product categories. . Tom now serves as a National Building Materials Trainer with responsibilities to work with vendors, and train and assist PoolCorp employees and customers with building materials product knowledge, industry-standard best practices, and installation techniques. He is Certified in Residential Pool Chemistry, Certified Start-Up Technician and is a Certified Pool Inspector by the NPC.

Phil GreggsSouthern Grouts and Mortars (SGM)

Philip Greggs is the Technical Director for Southern Grouts and Mortars (SGM) and was born and raised in the swimming pool renovation and service industry. Since joining SGM in 1997, he has been responsible for developing new products and processes to aid in the application of swimming pool finishes, construction goods, and tile installation products. During his tenure, Philip has developed and taught SGM’s Factor Training Programs for swimming pool finishes and tile installation products. He has also developed and taught continuing education courses approved by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. Philip graduated from Keiser University with a degree in Aquatic Engineering and has a commercial pool contractors licenses issued by the state of Florida. Philip Greggs currently serves on several National Plasterers Council Committees, is a member of the NPC’s Board of Directors, and serves as the chair of NPC’s Research Committee.

Hector GuzmanLucero Pool Plaster

 

Jeremy HasbrouckHasbrouck Pool & Spa

 

Brent LaneArtistry in Mosaics

Brent Lane has been an active member of the National Plaster Council for over 15 years. He is a current member of the board of directors and chairs the Marketing committee as well as participating in many of the other committees. He has been a vendor to the industry with his current role as Director of Operations and Market development for Artistry in Mosaics, Inc. and prior role as National Sales Manager for SGM, Inc.

Lupe MariscalBlue Moon Pools

Mariscal’s career began at 16 in the Los Angeles area, starting as a laborer and working towards setting tile, coping and doing concrete jobs. Once he moved his family to San Diego, Calif., he began as a skilled tile setter for long-time NPC Board member Scott McKenna. His career took off at Blue Moon Pools with Richard Smith, where he built a reputation for consistently delivering quality work on projects of all sizes and personally thanking each customer, reflecting his values. Respected by peers and competitors alike, Mariscal is known for supporting fellow industry professionals and ensuring the security of their businesses and employees. His commitment to education is evident through his sponsorship of numerous start-up certification classes — some even hosted in his garage. Driven by a desire to benefit the greater good, he consistently prioritizes the needs of others over personal gain. Mariscal serves on several NPC committees and the Board of Directors.

Jeff McGalliardJMK Associates dba Premier Pools and Spas

Jeff is President of JMK Assoc. dba Premier Pools and Spas in Souderton, PA. He was a plastering contractor from 1975-2010 and a pool builder for over 40 years. Jeff is a long-time member of NPC, is Chair of the Technical Committee, several PHTA committees, and is past president of the Northeast Spa and Pool Association.

Scott McKennaGardner Pool Plastering

Scott got his start in the pool industry at the age of 24 working for California Pools, a pool builder, digging ditches for plumbing. Over the years, he slowly moved up in the business and became a superintendent. After working for them for 4 years, he opened, with his father and brother, his own pool construction company called Trimac Pools. They built high-end pools in the San Diego area. Having decided to stay in the industry but to change focus slightly from building pools to remodeling them, they bought Gardner Pool Plastering. His dad has since passed away. Over the years, they built up Gardner from a small plastering company to a complete remodeling business with three branches in Southern California. Personal Touch: Scott has been playing basketball 3 days a week at 4:30 in the morning for 25 years.

Matt McMasterLaguna Pool Interiors

Brad MeadPoolside Plastering

 

Ken MilberyLunada Bay Tile

Ken Milbery is Director of Technical Services for Lunada Bay Tile, a glass tile manufacturer in Southern California. Prior to his current position, he worked for National Pool Tile as a Building Material Specialist. He is highly regarded as one of the pool industries top specialist in waterproofing, glass tile installation systems and building material technologies. Ken worked alongside the elite luxury pool contractors in Los Angeles and surrounding areas for more than 15 years. Ken continues to share his extensive knowledge through training, seminars, and industry trade shows around the country. A former Masonry contractor, he has 25+ years of combined experience in the pool industry.

Edgar SanchezModern Method Gunite

Edgar Sanchez leads his organization with an unparalleled passion for excellence. Believing in a TEAM (Trust, Excellence, Attitude and Motivation) culture and ensuring his employees carry MMG’s values: family, quality, and the promise to go above and beyond. Sanchez’s positive attitude and astute business skills motivate his team to achieve greatness. As COO of Modern Method Gunite, the largest gunite contractor in Houston and largest PebbleTec applicator globally, Sanchez is a Baylor University and Harvard Executive Education graduate and has held leadership positions with the National Plasterers Council, former APSP Chapter and numerous other local and state organizations. However, Sanchez’s highest priority is his family, raising two incredible daughters with his amazing wife, Julie.

Dave SchilliSchilli Plastering Company

Dave is the 2nd generation president of Schilli Pool Plastering, a family-owned business that started in 1951. Dave started plastering pools right out of high school while learning the business end of the company from his parents. He took over full office management in the early 90s and is now in the process of transitioning into retirement and handing the reins over to his son Ryan. Dave is a long-time member of the NPC, Board member, and past Chair, and sits on multiple committees.

Ryan SchilliSchilli Plastering Company

 

Rudy StankowitzAquatic Facility Training & Consultants

Rudy Stankowitz is a 33+ year veteran of the swimming pool industry and pool water chemistry expert. He is an award-winning instructor and has conducted training sessions worldwide, for which he has received over a dozen NSPF/PHTA honors. Rudy is the CEO of Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants CPOclass.com and owner and host of the Talking Pools Podcast (a podcast series geared toward pool service professionals & builders). Stankowitz has certified thousands of pool operators and health officials in the CPO (Certified Pool Operator) and AFO (Aquatic Facility Operator) classes he teaches. He is an Instructor at Rutgers University in their environmental health program, has written three pool care books, contributed dozens of articles to pool industry trade publications, and has brought previously unknown discoveries to the attention of the industry; precisely, his research identifying Swimming Pool Black Algae as Cyanobacteria biofilms and the ability of Aluminum Sulfate to successfully remove Cyanuric Acid from water. His experience includes retail pool supplies, equipment manufacturing, swimming pool service, consulting, and numerous speaking engagements. Rudy and his wife Joy, native Long Islanders, live in Florida, and all their children and grandchildren are nearby. Avid travelers, the couple is always looking for an exciting destination to visit where they can immerse themselves in the local culture. Stankowitz is known to sneak into the pump rooms at resorts in foreign destinations to see what equipment is popular in the area.

Jon TempleTempool, Inc.

Internationally recognized industry expert and respected business leader specializing in the application of pool plaster finishing. Spearheaded the creation and establishment of pool finish application company servicing pool builders, homeowners, and resorts throughout the United States and internationally (Honduras, Mexico, Trinidad, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Canada, Spain, & Qatar)

Imran UzunCIMSA Americas Cement Mfg & Sales Corporation

Imran currently works for Cimsa Americas Cement Mfg. & Sales Corp., as their Technical Marketing Manager. Previously, he worked for Heidelberg Materials Trading as Quality Control Supervisor, and prior to that, as R&D and Customer Technical Support Engineer for Cimsa Cimento San. Ve Tic. A.S., and served as a technical expert for the Turkish Cement Manufacturer’s Association, Council for Quality and Environment. Imran was in the Master’s Program in Cement Engineering at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey in 2014, with a B.S. in Mining Engineering from Middle East Technical University in 2010, and is a graduate of Çankırı Süleyman Demirel Science School, Çankırı, Turkey. Imran’s knowledge spans global industrial product standards (EN, ASTM, BS, BG, etc.) and best practices, as well as how to use, maintain, and calibrate a wide variety of lab equipment used to analyze cement quality, i.e., XRF Spectrometer, physical and mechanical analysis. He has a proven history of executing high-quality control standards related to all technical aspects of cement and cementitious products. Imran has extensive knowledge of various cement and cement-related applications, from plastering to technical mortars.

Alex ValdovinosPoolcorp

Alex was born in San Diego, CA and lived in Oceanside, CA all his life. As a National Technical Trainer for Fluidra Pro Academy, Alex was responsible for accurately and efficiently hosting 2-Day seminars where attendees would learn how to properly install, troubleshoot and repair all Polaris, Jandy and Zodiac products. Alex hosted webinars for clients and created How-To videos on various products. Alex is a Certified Pool Operator Instructor, Certified Pool Inspector, and Certified Pool Technician by PHTA.

After 15 years working for Fluidra, Alex joined the PoolCorp team. As an NPT Product Trainer, he trains POOLCORP employees and contractors on a wide range of products including Glass Tile Installation, Waterproofing Installation, and NPT Pool Finishes. Alex is bilingual and teaches in both English and Spanish whether in the field or in a classroom. Alex manages the NPT training program on the POOLCORP LMS which includes over 40 hours of training and continues to create video content for use on multiple platforms for use by contractors and the POOLCORP team.

In his free time, Alex enjoys being a dad to his beautiful daughter Sofia and his two stepdaughters Dannia and Illianna. He also has a passion for the sport of boxing, where you can find him at live boxing events, watching boxing fights at home or organizing his ever-growing boxing memorabilia collection.