Nicholas Lucia — 30 Under 40 2026
Nicholas Lucia is trying to update a company that was established long before he was born.
Suntek Pools & Spas has served Long Island for over 36 years. Lucia grew up around the family business, joined it in 2018 and went full time after graduating from Marist College in 2022.
Since then, he has worked across sales, service, retail and e-commerce. As operations manager, Lucia now oversees portions of the company’s online business and service operations as well as SunWave Saunas, its in-house sauna and red-light brand.
“Modernizing a 35-year-old business without breaking what made it work” has been one of his biggest challenges.
Lucia believes customers still value relationships and the showroom experience, but they also expect the speed, information and convenience they encounter in other industries. Suntek has responded by rebuilding its online business, introducing new technology across sales, service and marketing and developing internal tools to keep employees organized as volume grows.
At the same time, Lucia has pushed the company beyond its traditional pool-and-spa identity.
“Turning Suntek into a technology-driven, full wellness company instead of just a hot tub and pool dealer” is the accomplishment he is proudest of.
“The industry is good at selling, but the moment something breaks, customers can get stuck dealing with part numbers and hold times.”
— NICHOLAS LUCIA
Lucia sees further opportunity ahead: Suntek is considering a second location and expanding its Farmingdale showroom, with a longer-term goal of serving more of the Northeast.
Service is equally central to Lucia’s vision. Suntek operates seven service trucks and services everything it sells — a capability Lucia considers one of the most important differences between a retailer that simply sells products and one that supports them throughout ownership.
“The industry is good at selling, but the moment something breaks, customers can get stuck dealing with part numbers and hold times,” Lucia says. “That always felt wrong to me.”
Eventually, he hopes Suntek will not only sell and service products throughout the Northeast but also design some of its own.
Lucia’s interests outside the office tend to find their way back into work. He studies investing, software, AI and wellness trends and personally uses many of the products Suntek sells, including sauna, red-light therapy and cold plunge. When he does disconnect, he likes trying new restaurants and watching movies or documentaries.
Locations refer to company headquarters; honorees may work remotely or live elsewhere.
