Tyler Waters, 31

Operations manager
Backyard Leisure
Terre Haute, Indiana 

Tyler Waters’ name seems almost destined for the hot tub industry, and he joined it at a pivotal moment — the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He started with Backyard Leisure as a digital wellness consultant, focusing exclusively on selling through digital channels. As the pandemic escalated and demand for hot tubs surged, Waters’ role expanded, and he transitioned into an IT specialist position, managing the company’s digital infrastructure. Eventually, he took on the responsibility of overseeing operations across all Backyard Leisure locations. 

One of Waters’ favorite aspects of his work is seeing the benefits a hot tub brings to customers. 

“The best part is hearing from our customers about how the hot tub has changed their lives for the better,” he says. “It’s humbling and brings meaning to serving others in the one life we are given.”

Given his background, Waters recognizes that the hot tub industry is underserved when it comes to technology. 

“This industry lacks the diversification of products on the market to facilitate manufacturing and dealer business models and operations,” he says. “I believe I can help the industry evolve and catch up to other industries.”

His vision for the future is ambitious yet straightforward: He wants everyone to own a hot tub. Waters hopes to position the industry so health care providers and insurance companies will cover hot tub purchases as a preventative measure. He also envisions improvements in communication and resource-sharing between manufacturers and dealers. Technology is key to facilitating these changes, he says, from cyber security to SaaS platforms, and he’s eager to help drive the industry forward to meet modern demands and improve the overall customer experience.