Builder of the Year

The Builder of the Year Award is a peer-nominated award given annually to one PHTA builder member who has advanced the pool building profession through outstanding achievements and dedication to the industry.

Nominees must meet the following criteria:

• Nominee is committed to being a positive role model for the profession and peers.
• Nominee must have proven track record of meeting or exceeding industry standards in designing and building pools and spas.
• Nominee has been employed in the pool, hot tub, or spa industry for at least five years.
• Nominee actively participates with PHTA at a local or national level.
• Nominee is a current employee of a PHTA member company in good standing.

The 2024 nomination period has ended. Stay tuned for the 2025 application period!

Past Winners:

• 2024: Claffey Pools
• 2023: Edward Gibbs, Gib-San Pool & Landscape Creations
• 2022: Kyle Chaikin, CBP, CSP, CPO, Chaikin Ultimate Pools
• 2021: Joseph Vassallo, Jr., CBP, Paragon Pools
• 2020: Robert Baron, Baron Pools (Posthumous) and Larry Biscornet, LBI Pools (Posthumous)
• 2018: Stephen Neville, CBP, CSP, PPSO, Island Construction Corporation
• 2017: Guy Larsen, CBP, Mid America Pool & Spa Show
• 2016: Jason Schallock, CBP, Anderson Pool Works
• 2015: John Migliaccio, CBP, The Pool & Spa Place, and Bill Shehan, CBP, Shehan Pools
• 2014: Robert Blanda, CBP, CSP, Mill Bergen Pool Center
• 2013: Dick Dal Pino, CBP, Dal Pino Quality Pools, Inc. and Dan Johnson, CBP, Swim Incorporated
• 2012: Joseph M. Vassallo, CBP, Paragon Pools
• 2011: Jeff Mitchell, CBP, Dynasty Pools
• 2010: Tommy Johnson, CBP, CSP, Johnson Pools and Spas
• 2009: Lew Akins, CBP, Ocean Quest Pools by Lew Akins
• 2008: John C. Romano, CBP, CSP, All American Custom Pools & Spas
• 2007: Al Rizzo, CBP, CSP, Rizzo Pool & Spa