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Category:
Published: May 2006
Tom: Mike, what does success mean to you?
Mike: Tom, over the years I've learned that success should not be based on what one has accomplished or accumulated but rather on what he has given up over the years in order to achieve that success. There lies the true value and meaning.
Tom: When you say accomplishments, obviously you have accomplished a great deal. Would you review a few of them for me?
Mike: I started in the pool business while attending Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady. I worked at Carmen Goody Imperial Pools in Colonie in 1972. After graduating from Saint Michaels College in Burlington Vermont where I received my degree in Corporate Finance, I was promoted to General Manager there. In 1980 I purchased a small pool service company located in Latham named Concord Pools. The company installed about 40 pools that year.
Tom: What happened after you took over?
Mike: Wow, that's a long time to recap in a few words. God has blessed me with the good fortune of attracting and retaining quality employees. Our team of men and women at Concord are second to none, and I mean none! This company has grown into a $15,000,000.00 organization that has received literally every top award in the pool industry. Our average length of stay for top management is over 25 years and 18 years for construction personnel, which is unheard of in this industry.
Tom: That is impressive. Mike, I know Concord is synonymous with quality and innovation, could you tell me why that is so.
Mike: Concord Pools is always thinking "outside the deck" as I put it. We pioneered Negative Edge pool construction and invented the world famous I-Brace as well as Radiant In-Floor heat for pools. After the downfall of most of the steel pool manufacturers back in the 80's, we partnered with Pacific Pools and Latham International to create the strongest and most advanced pool structure available today. Totally non-corrosive swimming pools to last for years of carefree enjoyment for our clients.
Tom: Mike, your company has so many awards up on that wall, could you pick out a few of the most important and tell us a little about them.
Mike: Well Tom, "our" company has been nationally as well as globally recognized by so many publications and organizations. Concord Pools has been recognized eight times as being a "Top 100 Pool Company" in the United States. As a result, Concord Pools was inducted into the AQUA 100 "Hall of Fame". We are also a Pacific Pools "Hall of Fame Inductee". They are the largest swimming pool manufacturer in the country.
Tom: That is impressive, however what was the award I saw recently on the local news.
Mike: 2005-2006 was and is very surreal for me. This past year in Orlando and again in Las Vegas Concord Pools was named as a "Power 50" Company - one of the top 50 retailers in the country. Along with that we won the "Masters of Design" award, one of only two individuals in the USA. Then like living a dream, we won 1st Place in North America for vinyl liner swimming pool design. No other pool company in history has ever accomplished this.
Tom: You need more walls!
Mike: That's my life up on those walls. I could never have done any of these things without my family at home and here at Concord.
Tom: But isn't there one more you are leaving out?
Mike: Well, since you brought it up - in Orlando I was awarded "Pool Dealer of the Year" for 2005-2006 by Pool & Spa News for all of North America.
Tom: That is the highest award in the industry is it not?
Mike: Once again, the answer lies within your point of view. I would trade all of those for just these two smaller ones.
Tom: And what are those?
Mike: That one is a picture of my family and the other a plaque from my employees.
Tom: Congratulations, that's really great. Now this will link to the article and potential links.
Mike: www.AquaMagazine.com go to Hall of Fame and Award Winners, www.PoolandSpaNews.com, www.ConcordPools.com. We have four locations Guilderland, Latham, Clifton Park and 136 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs Dream Center.
Tom: The South Broadway location seems to be very unique. Could you share a little bit about your South Broadway location and what you're doing with it that's different?
Mike: The concept with dream centers came about on the west coast. Quite frankly, there are certain communities and locations where people have the money but they don't have the time. They are willing to invest their hard earned money but they don't want the hassle of having to visit a pool company, a fence company, a landscape company and an irrigation company. With a single pass through the door here at Concord's Dream Center you can choose the swimming pool you'd like along with a spa. We can show you landscaping, fencing, decorative decking, brick pavers, irrigation and financing all in one visit. That way a customer can come in, we can define and meet their expectations for their entire backyard living project and save them very valuable time, thus offering them a more in depth service for their dollar.
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