membership
Member Profile: Rick Woemmel
- How long have you been a member of PHTA?
I started my company 27 years ago and knew that education was the backbone of becoming an elite company. I joined as soon as I started my company.
- Why did you join PHTA?
Education and networking were my primary goals in joining. I have met so many great builders, retailers, and service companies... I am awestruck every day when I hear how people are doing that I have known for many years.
- What committee/council/chapter do you currently volunteer with?
I am on the Builders Council, the Technical Committee, and the CPO Task Force.
- What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
Meeting different people in the industry. I have become very good friends with many of them through the years.
- What is your current occupation? How long have you been in the pool and hot tub industry?
I am the President of Bi-State Pool & Spa, which I started 27 years ago. I was in the industry for 8 years prior to that.
- What do you love most about the pool and hot tub industry?
Obviously the people. But working outdoors and seeing families gleam at their finished projects sure puts a smile on my face as well.
- How do you define success?
When all of the people that work with me are happy, I feel like I am successful.
- Who inspires you?
Being a part of the Carecraft group, plus all of the other folks I have met at Latham, Pentair, etc. I feel truly blessed to have met so many great people that I can call at any time to ask a question and they always treat me like family.
- If you could choose anyone as a mentor, who would you choose? Why?
There was a guy, Paul Jensen, who would tell the story of NSPI (which was later APSP and now PHTA) starting in his father's basement. Paul passed a year ago, but was the instructor for many of the classes I had taken when I first got into the industry. I later had the privilege of teaching many courses with him. Simply a great guy.
- What’s one thing - either industry-related or not - you learned in the last month?
Helping out on various committees, I get to hear about ideas and legislation that may be on the horizon. Increasing gunite PSI standards was the latest news that I have come across.
- What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I love to SCUBA dive and while I do not actively teach any more, I did earn my instructor certificate many years ago.
- What’s the last book you read?
Where the Crawdads Sing
- What’s the first concert you ever attended?
The Beach Boys
- If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Crab legs and ice cream... I probably wouldn't live long if I ate it every day, though.
