Teddy Dellas, 35

President
Leisuretime Warehouse
Wickliffe, Ohio

For Teddy Dellas, the hot tub industry is more than a career — it’s a family legacy. Starting at 15 years old, Dellas got his first taste of the business at Leisuretime Warehouse, his family’s company. From cleaning tubs to deliveries, pool installations, customer service and sales, he “worked every job imaginable,” gaining hands-on experience across departments. 

After high school and college, Dellas broadened his skills outside the family business, joining POOLCORP’s Management Training Program and later taking a sales role in Virginia Beach, where he repeatedly hit sales goals. Yet the pull of home was strong, and in 2015, he returned to Leisuretime Warehouse, where his leadership helped expand the company from one location to three and grow service coverage across four states.

Becoming president was a milestone that marked the official passing of the torch from father to son. Dellas describes it as “a very full-circle moment” and takes pride in continuing the family tradition while growing the company’s presence and reputation. He thrives on the dynamic environment and the close-knit relationships with employees and customers. “Customers are always surprised when an owner answers the phone,” Dellas says. “It helps keep a pulse on the business about what is good and bad.”

The COVID-19 pandemic brought obstacles and opportunities. While the early outlook was “very grim,” Dellas pivoted to meet soaring demand during a chaotic time. Navigating shortages, shipping delays and rising costs, he credits the company’s agility and teamwork for helping them thrive. “Our ability to be dynamic gave us a lot of chances to redirect efforts quickly toward different challenges as they arose,” he says.

Dellas hopes to continue expanding Leisuretime Warehouse into new retail markets and imagines a future where his children carry on the family business. “My strong work ethic was developed by weekends as a kid earning extra money cleaning hot tubs and pools in my dad’s showroom,” he says. “What could be better than seeing the next generation follow those same steps?”

He also hopes to raise industry standards, addressing what he sees as “some subpar brands that can ruin a customer’s experience” and hurt the industry. His objective is to transform Leisuretime Warehouse into a regionally recognized name synonymous with health and wellness, built by a committed team focused on quality and customer care.

Dellas enjoys spending time with his wife, toddler son and newborn daughter. He also loves reading, gaming (when time allows) and cheering on the Browns, Buckeyes and Cavaliers.