Contributors

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Andrea Nannini

 Andrea Nannini is a seasoned pool service professional and owner of Hibiscus Pool & Spa in Port St. Lucie, Florida. With nearly two decades of experience, she has built a reputation for technical expertise, resilience, and humor in a trade full of challenges. In 2018, Andrea was named the Pleatco Perfect Pool Gal, a recognition of her skill and leadership in the pool industry. She co-hosts the Talking Pools Podcast, where her candid, down-to-earth style educates and entertains pool professionals worldwide. Andrea also created “Adventures of the Pool Girl,” a popular social media page chronicling the unpredictable, often hilarious stories from her route. Featured in PoolPro Magazine, AQUA Magazine, and The Deep End Podcast, Andrea has become a strong advocate for women in the trades, challenging stereotypes and inspiring the next generation of pool professionals. 

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Lee Salisbury

Lee Salisbury is a renowned pool and spa industry veteran based in New South Wales, Australia, with nearly 25 years of experience owning and operating a highly successful, multi–award-winning retail and service business. He is a fully accredited and licensed pool technician, as well as a qualified trainer holding diplomas in business, leadership, and management. Driven by a passion for helping business owners and key staff grow and strengthen their ventures, Lee recently joined the Talking Pools Podcast as a co-host of the "Mondays Down Under" segment, where he brings practical wisdom, industry insights, and genuine mentorship to listeners across the globe. 

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Paulette Hester

 Paulette Hester is the director and driving force behind Pools by the Sea Inc., a Florida-based pool service business. Beyond her role as a business owner, she plays a key leadership role in the regional chapter of the Independent Pool & Spa Service Association (IPSSA)—serving as President of the Treasure Coast Chapter and acting as a Director within IPSSA’s local network. In these positions, she helps steer chapter initiatives, supports professional development, and fosters community engagement among pool industry peers. Known for her passion for the field, Paulette regularly contributes to IPSSA programming and events, helping cultivate both education and connection within Florida’s pool-service community. 

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Rudy Stankowitz

 Rudy Stankowitz is a 30-year pool industry veteran, educator, author, and the unapologetic voice behind the Talking Pools Podcast. As President of Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants, he’s trained and certified thousands of pool operators and health officials worldwide, turning complex water chemistry into something both understandable and useful. His best-selling book How to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Algae set the standard for algae remediation and spawned a certification course based on his original research. A columnist, keynote speaker, and consultant, Rudy is known for cutting through industry myths with humor, honesty, and the occasional well-aimed rant. His résumé isn’t just chlorine and test kits either—he once worked as a grave digger in a pet cemetery, took gunfire as a NYC club bouncer, and served as a U.S. Army Infantryman. These days he calls Florida home with his wife Joy, where he enjoys travel, fishing, & scary movies with the grandkids.

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Sarah Bero

 Sarah Bero—better known online as "The Pool Girl"—is a dynamic pool service professional and engaging podcast host based in Texas. With over 30,000 followers on TikTok, she’s beloved for her unfiltered, laugh-out-loud content that mixes pool care wisdom with field stories—from proper brushing techniques to pulling turtles or even rabbits out of skimmer baskets. Sarah began her career alongside her husband in a small family operation and now maintains a weekly route servicing more than 50 residential pools. Her real-world insights, humor, and practical advice earned her a position as the midweek host on the Talking Pools Podcast, where she brings clarity, authenticity, and chlorine-scented charm to audiences every Wednesday. Whether she’s advocating smart workflow hacks or spotlighting common pool care missteps, Sarah’s voice resonates with both industry professionals and homeowners alike. 

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Shane Sneddon

 Shane Sneddon is the director and co-owner of Pukka Pools Limited, an Auckland-based pool and spa maintenance and cleaning company established in mid-2021. Under his leadership, Pukka Pools delivers dependable services across the region, from routine cleaning to repairs, with Shane serving as the primary point of contact for clients. With a background as a trained Swimming Pool & Spa technician and ties to Swimming NZ, he brings both technical know-how and local expertise to his work. Shane also extends his influence across industry circles as a co-host of the Talking Pools Podcast, where he collaborates with fellow professionals to share insights, best practices, and innovative ideas with the wider pool community. Whether managing the day-to-day demands of pool service or engaging in industry dialogue, Shane remains committed to elevating standards and fostering community in New Zealand's aquatic service sector. 

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Steve Sherwood

 Steve Sherwood is a veteran of the pool and spa industry with more than two decades of hands-on and consulting experience. As CEO of Sherwood Pool Consulting Group, he has built a reputation as a trusted educator, inspector, and advisor for both homeowners and professionals. Steve holds multiple industry credentials, including Certified Pool Operator Instructor, CPO Inspector, and APSP Tech I & II certifications, reflecting his deep technical expertise and commitment to raising industry standards. His consulting group provides a wide range of services, from pool startups and maintenance training to troubleshooting, expert witness work, and professional education. Beyond his business, Steve is well known as the co-host of the Talking Pools Podcast’s “Thursdays with Wayne & Steve,” where his approachable style and practical insights help pool professionals navigate complex challenges.  

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Wayne Ivusich

 Wayne Ivusich is a veteran pool and spa industry educator, consultant, and speaker recognized for decades of contributions to water chemistry training. During his long tenure at Taylor Water Technologies, where he served as Director of Education and Technical Services, he taught thousands of professionals through Certified Pool Operator and Certified Pool Inspector courses and helped shape key industry handbooks. In 2022, Wayne was honored with the Robert Lowry Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting impact on pool industry education. Although retired, he continues to serve as a consultant and instructor, delivering specialized “Testing Thursdays with Wayne” sessions and presenting at major industry events. He is also a co-host of the Talking Pools Podcast, where his Thursday episodes with Steve Sherwood bring practical knowledge and engaging discussion to professionals nationwide.

Guests

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Greg Beard

Greg Beard is the President of Greg Beard’s Pool Service, a full-service pool care company delivering routine maintenance, equipment diagnostics and repair, energy-efficient upgrades, and crystal-clear water care for homes and HOAs. Greg oversees strategy and day-to-day operations, leads technician training, and sets the company’s standards for safety, communication, and quality.

Known for a hands-on leadership style, he still visits job sites, consults on tough diagnostics, and partners closely with clients to prevent problems before they start. He champions technician education, modern water-chemistry practices, and smart automation to reduce downtime and operating costs.

Greg’s philosophy is simple: protect swimmers, protect the team, and do the job right the first time. Under his leadership, Greg Beard’s Pool Service is recognized for on-time service, transparent recommendations, and consistent results—season after season.

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Kevin Post

As Chairman and CEO of Counsilman-Hunsaker, Kevin Post leads the firm’s executive team and strategy. With more than 20 years in the aquatics industry, he has advised clients across municipalities, universities, YMCAs, school districts, and public and private clubs and waterparks. As CEO, he is focused on strengthening Counsilman-Hunsaker’s industry leadership by speaking at national conferences and major universities and by educating operators on sustainable pool business practices, emerging technologies for aquatic facilities, and the science of risk management.


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Laci Davis

Laci Davis is co-founder and president of The Grit Game, a manufacturer rep firm serving the U.S. and Canadian pool & spa industry. A plain-spoken marketer, she contributes to AQUA Magazine, showing pros how to grow with accessible—often free—tools. In 2024 she appeared on the covers of Agency Sales and SpaRetailer (inaugural 30 Under 40), was named to Pool Nation’s Next Generation of Female Leaders, and was listed in the 125th Who’s Who in America.

Beyond business, Laci champions mental-health literacy and anti-trafficking efforts: she serves on a mental-health board, hosts a podcast on “reclaiming your happiness,” and was honored as a Tampa Bay Hometown Hero for volunteer work in Florida and Ireland. Her Gallup top strengths—Strategic, Significance, Belief, Futuristic, Relator—drive a values-led style that builds trust, sparks ideas, and turns potential into progress.

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Maddy Vandiver

Maddy Vandiver is the Maintenance Supervisor and Company Trainer at The Pool Butler, an Atlanta-based pool service firm serving residential, commercial, and hospitality clients. A former lifeguard and swim instructor, she has worked every side of the trade—from weekly maintenance to diagnostics, repairs, and installations—across both residential and commercial pools. 

Inside the company, Vandiver mentors new hires and upskills experienced techs through structured one-on-ones, quality checks, and individualized training paths. She teaches CPO® classes, often co-teaching with senior instructors. In 2025, she was named a Top 10 finalist for the Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Award, recognizing professionals who raise standards and share knowledge across the industry.


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Natalie Hood

Natalie Hood is the Director of Education & Network Development at The Grit Game, bringing over 25 years of experience in aquatic education and certification. Formerly with the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) and Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), she managed global programs across 127 countries, grew certifications by over 200%, and advanced the industry-standard CPO Handbook. Known for blending passion with expertise, Natalie has been a competitive swimmer since childhood, performed CPR multiple times, and even competed as a physique bodybuilder. At The Grit Game, she leads innovative training initiatives that empower pool professionals to expand their knowledge, strengthen networks, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. 

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Que Hales

 Que Hales is co-founder of onBalance and longtime manager of Pool Chlor in Tucson, with 40+ years in aquatics since 1980. 


Known for field investigations and practical research, he has advanced understanding of plaster chemistry, scaling, and hard-to-solve mineral deposits; he’s authored pieces for AQUA Magazine and collaborated on lab work exploring calcium phosphate and calcium sulfate scale. 


A former service-company owner and hands-on mentor, Hales is sought by operators and builders for diagnostics, start-ups, and water-balance strategy; he holds a B.A. in English from the University of Arizona. 

 In 2025 he was named among the Talking Pools Podcast’s Top Ten Mentors, reflecting his steady, science-first approach to sharing knowledge across the trade. 

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Shannon D Wilson

Shannon D. Wilson is a service and training leader with HHHunt, where he oversees aquatic operations, develops technicians, and helps apartment and community teams deliver safer, more reliable pools across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. A Certified Pool Operator (CPO) instructor, Wilson has taught widely—translating complex water chemistry and safety practices into clear, field-ready routines—and is a go-to resource for on-site audits, troubleshooting, and emergency response planning. 

Recognized inside and outside his company, Wilson earned HHHunt’s Team Excellence Award and was selected as a Top 10 finalist for the Talking Pools Podcast 2025 Mentor of the Year—a nod to his steady, service-first approach to mentorship. 

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