Marcus Ragonese, 32

Service technician
Patio Pleasures
Madison, Wisconsin

He may be a fresh face in the pool and spa industry, but Marcus Ragonese is standing out with his knack for solving problems. At the end of 2023, he joined Patio Pleasures as a service technician. In just a short time, he has handled everything from scheduled maintenance to complex repairs on both hot tubs and pools — often in situations that demand quick thinking and a hands-on, adaptable approach.

What excites Ragonese most is the puzzle each day brings. He takes pride in finding solutions that are both efficient and thoughtful, sometimes coming up with multiple ways to handle an issue. “You’d be surprised by how many ways a problem can be tackled,” he says, stressing improvising when resources are limited.

Still early in his career, Ragonese admits he’s not sure exactly where the industry will take him, but he’s curious to find out. Improving the serviceability of hot tubs through smarter design is a key focus for him. “It would be nice to see some more concrete standardizations within the industry in regard to hot tub construction,” he says. “The way certain tubs are constructed leads to complications when servicing them — [service] feels like an afterthought.” He hopes to see manufacturers embrace streamlined designs that make repairs easier and more cost-effective for technicians and customers.

Ragonese carries that same practical, resourceful spirit into the outdoors. He and his girlfriend enjoy backpacking, where navigating hurdles — whether it’s unexpected weather, tricky terrain or limited gear — feels familiar in the best way..