David Townley grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and worked at the original Townley Pool & Spa store founded by his mom, Tracye, when he was 10 years old. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1998 and served as a Navy Pilot and Instructor for 13 years. He continues to serve as a Blue and Gold Officer, recruiting for the Naval Academy inside his home state. After serving on active duty and moving back to Arkansas, Townley wanted to serve his local community. His parents had a transition plan to bring him back into the company and eventually he became the president. Townley’s mission is helping customers gain water wellness and backyard entertainment while also providing a long-lasting career for his employees. He and his wife, Jessica, enjoy four lovely and busy children between them.
David Townley
President
Townley Pool and Spa
Little Rock, Arkansas
Ronak Shah runs Oklahoma-based Galaxy Home Recreation with his sister Nimisha Patel and extended family. Shah’s father, Mukesh, started Galaxy in 1975 and it evolved from pool tables, to coin operated machines, to hot tubs. Shah and Patel took over when Mukesh died unexpectedly. And the pair have grown the business even further, with an eye to do more.
Ronak Shah
Co-owner
Galaxy Home Recreation
Five locations across Oklahoma and Arkansas
Hans Kissmann opened Georgian Hot Tubs in 2008 while he was still a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He’d sold hot tubs since the early ’90s as a part-time gig, but both his wife and brother-in-law needed to move away from their labor-intensive jobs, and Kissmann had been offered a manufacturer’s territory. The timing ended up not being ideal, with the financial crash happening not long after he opened his doors. But he decided to hang his hat on educating the customer and making sure they received excellent customer service. It worked and Georgian Hot Tubs not only survived the downturn but thrived. The pandemic has been challenging since long lead times often result in customer disappointment, but Kissmann has done everything he can to keep up communication.
Hans Kissmann
Owner
Georgian Hot Tubs
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Bob Davis started Aqua Pros in 1984 after two years working as a laborer for a local pool company. He started the company as a pool cleaning and repair business, but quickly moved into new pool builds and selling hot tubs. In 1986 Davis opened his first retail showroom — now they have three Virginia locations in Bedford, Lynchburg and Salem-Roanoke, and also sell barbecue and hearth products.
Bob Davis
President
Aqua Pros Pools & Spas, Inc.
Three locations in Virginia
Kelly Thomas has worked in the hot tub industry for more than 25 years. In 2018, Thomas and her husband Scott helped open The Spa Gallery in Springfield, Missouri. The pair have worked in the hot tub industry together for many years before opening The Spa Gallery — the business gives them the opportunity to service customers they way they want and to support causes they are passionate about. Currently they are raising money for S.A.F.E. Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation, which provides low cost spay and neuter services. .
Kelly Thomas
General manager
The Spa Gallery
Springfield, Missouri
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