Morgan Wykstra, 28
Morgan Wykstra’s career in the pool industry began with Fluidra as a technical writer at the Cover-Pools location.
Christy Townsley, 37
Christy Townsley’s career in the pool industry is built on a strong foundation of marketing experience across both consumer-packaged goods and manufacturing. Currently, as a market manager for Nidec Motor Corporation, she focuses on business development and understanding market segments. Her varied background has helped her adapt and learn, which she views as key elements of her success.
Miguel Cabello, 38
Through a hurricane and a pandemic, Miguel Cabello has grown a thriving business through hard work and perseverance.
Mike Ellison, 40
Once the pool business sucks you in, you won’t get out. That’s what Mike Ellison says, and he is happy it happened to him.
Benny Romero, 21
At just 14, Benny Romero started working as a lifeguard for AMS Pools in Suwannee, Georgia. Over the next few years, he steadily advanced from lifeguard to head guard, then to pool manager and finally to assistant area manager. In that role, Romero was responsible for overseeing 200 lifeguards and maintaining 12 large commercial pools, giving him his first real experience with pool maintenance, chemistry and equipment upkeep.
Makenzi Kinder, 24
Makenzi Kinder joined Payan Pool Service in April 2023, making the move from Dallas to sunny San Diego just in time for a new adventure in the pool industry. Starting as a floater in the service department, Kinder filled in wherever help was needed while managing her small route. “I proved to all the boys I could keep up,” she says.
Renee Porter, 38
Deciding to take a break after college graduation, Renee Porter switched gears from her degree in science and went into commercial insurance. She started working for her “bonus mom,” Jeannette Blanton, in 2010.
Deborah Martin, 39
Deborah Martin inherited a passion for pools from her father and uncle, and she couldn’t have wished for anything better.
Maria Fernanda Lopez Martinez, 35
Maria Fernanda Lopez Martinez’s professional path has been anything but ordinary. Her career began in gastronomy, where she spent eight years honing her skills in various restaurants, focusing on customer service and operations. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a career pivot into administration, where she applied her organizational talents in a fresh context.
Sam Folaron, 36
When Sam Folaron was just 12, she started working in a pool store, cleaning, stocking shelves and learning the cash register.
Omar Falcon, 32
Growing up in Puerto Rico, Omar Falcon spent weekends helping his father with his pool maintenance business.
Donny Rocovits, 32
What started as a way to make some extra summer cash for teenage Donny Rocovits, pulling pool lights and installing heaters, turned into a lifelong career full of passion.