Q&A with David Turnage, 2023 PHTA Instructor of the Year

Get to know CPO Instructor David Turnage, who received the 2023 PHTA Instructor of the Year Award at the World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC) last November.

How long have you been a CPO?
Since 2002.

How long have you been a CPO Instructor?
Since 2003.

How long have you been working in the pool industry?
I started my first job in the industry in 2001. I had been working in the international freight business but interviewed for a pool company. They were looking for someone to set up and run chemical deliveries to commercial pools, plus deliveries to the wastewater/water treatment systems. I went in with an excited attitude to set up the total operation. I was able to accomplish this very quickly. Then the company said, “We want to keep you and have you run our Houston location.” I replied, “I don’t know anything about pools,” and they said, “Don’t worry about it, we have you scheduled for the CPO course this Thursday and Friday.”

What is your favorite part of being a CPO Instructor?
It is absolutely watching those lightbulbs go off when people get the concepts. No matter what the concept is, you can see it in their faces—they light up and say, “I’ve got it!”

The clientele that I have are predominantly in maintenance. My forte is the apartment industry. I get a lot of people from there who are doing other things than the pool. The pool is something they have to do as part of their job, but they don’t really know what they’re doing. They get the education and it’s fascinating to see how they react. They come into the classroom not very enthused, but by noon it’s, “Oh my stars!”

It is evidenced by when I get their reviews and comments. My teaching style is to reach out and identify with my students. It’s about the students, it’s not about me. I don’t need any incentives to teach. I always tell my students, “It’s about you, you’re the one I care about.” The students are the most important thing for me. Watching them grow right there in the classroom is awesome.

What’s something new you’ve learned about the industry in the last month?
I don’t work in the pool business other than training, which puts me in a very unbiased situation. I can have pool companies come to my class and I’m not their competition. I learn from everybody out there. That’s how I grow.

Recently, it’s been the new products that have come out that are much better. Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) equipment, for example—more and more competition is getting in there because they’re seeing that’s a good thing.

When I attend industry tradeshows, I’m always amazed at the equipment. More types of controllers are being made, and they are getting more affordable. That’s been a plus in my book. I’m pro-automation, not just for residential, but commercial too. The people working at commercial facilities really, really need it.

What does being Instructor of the Year mean to you?
I am beyond honored. I had no idea that I was even in the running! That didn’t even cross my mind. I vaguely remember there was something sent to vote for someone. I voted for someone else. I did not realize my peers even knew who I was. I meet my peers when I go to the conferences and I enjoy that, but I’m not running for political office or anything.

When I got the announcement that I had won, I had to read it three times. I had to show it to my wife and say, “Am I reading this right?”

That’s not what I was seeking, but I am honored. It floored me. I was speechless—I’m still a little speechless right now! It is just a great honor to be recognized that way. There are some great instructors out there. I’ve met them, and some of them are my mentors. For them to sit there and tell me that they learned something from me, that’s just—wow. Connie Sue Centrella and Fontaine Piper were my mentors. I learned a lot from them, I took to heart what they said, and they steered me in the direction of teaching.

But the foundation for me to do what I do, the kudos has to go to my wife Kathleen. She is part owner of the company and she takes care of everything in the office. Right now, for example, I’m on a three-week nonstop trip, and I can’t do that without her. There’s no way I could do the advertising, the paperwork, all that stuff—she’s the one who takes care of that. That frees me up to go out and take care of the students. Otherwise, I couldn’t do it at the level I’m doing it. People in the background don’t get the recognition, but this honor is just as much hers as it is mine.

With opening season just around the corner, what is one tip you have for current CPOs?
I tell them in class—and probably only 30% do it—when you’re stuck and you don’t know what to do, grab the CPO Handbook, and if you still can’t find something, call me. I do get calls and messages. Students have to break out of their shells. I don’t know if it’s pride or if they’re scared to call me, but eventually they do call. And they all say, “I wish I would’ve called you a month ago.”

Call your instructor. All of the CPO Instructors I know are willing to help their students. That is my mentality. I don’t charge for that. You call me, it’s consultation, guidance, and education. I’m more than happy to help. Every once in a while I’m stumped and I tell them I don’t know everything, but I will go up the line and find an answer. Give me a call!