E-246 Pool Nation Podcast - The Next Chapter in Pool Nation Education: Welcoming Doreen King to the Team

The pool industry is experiencing a wave of transformation, and the Pool Nation Podcast is leading the charge with groundbreaking announcements that promise to reshape professional development in the field. In their latest episode, hosts Edgar De Jesus, John "JJ Flawless," and Zach "The Pool Boy" Nicholas revealed exciting developments that signal a new chapter in pool industry education and partnership opportunities.

Major Team Expansion: Welcoming Doreen King

The biggest news from this episode centers around a significant addition to the Pool Nation team. Doreen King has officially joined as Vice President of Business and Leadership Development, marking a strategic move to enhance the organization's educational offerings and leadership training capabilities.

We are announcing that Doreen has joined the Pool Nation family as a VP of Business and Leadership Development. Doreen, welcome.

— Edgar De Jesus, Pool Nation Podcast

This appointment represents more than just a new hire—it's a commitment to elevating the professional standards and business acumen within the pool industry. Doreen's role will focus on developing comprehensive training programs that address not only technical skills but also the critical business and leadership competencies that separate successful pool professionals from the competition.

The timing of this announcement couldn't be more strategic. As the pool industry continues to evolve with new technologies, regulations, and customer expectations, there's an increasing need for professionals who can navigate both the technical and business aspects of the field effectively.

Strategic Partnership with NIDEC US Motors

Alongside the team expansion, Pool Nation announced a major partnership that will significantly impact their educational offerings. NIDEC US Motors has joined as a visionary partner, bringing specialized expertise in motor technology and variable speed pump education.

Starting today or yesterday, our new visionary partner we want to announce is NIDEC US Motors. I think they're going to be a wonderful addition to what we're trying to accomplish. And they're going to be bringing a whole heap of education and a different dynamic to our conferences, to our boot camps.

— John JJ Flawless, Pool Nation Podcast

This partnership addresses a critical industry need. With changing regulations around variable speed motors across the country, pool professionals require up-to-date knowledge and training to remain compliant and competitive. The collaboration with NIDEC US Motors ensures that Pool Nation can provide cutting-edge education on motor technologies, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

The partnership development process itself demonstrates Pool Nation's commitment to quality over quantity. As the hosts mentioned, this collaboration has been in development for six to seven months, starting with conversations at the international show last year. This deliberate approach ensures alignment of values and educational objectives rather than purely transactional relationships.

Expanding Educational Horizons

The combination of Doreen King's leadership expertise and the NIDEC partnership creates exciting possibilities for comprehensive professional development. The focus extends beyond traditional technical training to encompass business leadership, strategic thinking, and industry innovation.

We're able to provide a lot more education and kind of get the word out there because it's a pivotal time, especially now for the country when it comes down to variable speed motors and rules and regulations and things that are being implemented across the country.

— John JJ Flawless, Pool Nation Podcast

This educational expansion comes at a crucial time when the pool industry faces multiple challenges: technological advancement, environmental regulations, labor shortages, and increasing customer sophistication. By addressing these challenges through comprehensive education and leadership development, Pool Nation positions itself as an essential resource for industry professionals.

The approach also reflects a understanding that modern pool professionals need to be more than technical experts—they need to be business leaders, customer consultants, and industry advocates. This holistic approach to professional development sets a new standard for industry training programs.

Women's Summit: Continuing Momentum

The episode also highlighted the continued success of Pool Nation's Women's Summit, scheduled for August 21st and 22nd. The impressive registration numbers—42 confirmations in just the first day—demonstrate the strong demand for specialized professional development opportunities.

The Women's Summit represents an important initiative in addressing diversity and inclusion within the pool industry. By providing targeted networking, education, and mentorship opportunities, the summit helps build a stronger, more diverse professional community.

The growth trajectory of this event is remarkable: starting with 18 women in the first year, growing to 80 in the second year, and reaching 130 participants last year. This year's early registration momentum suggests another record-breaking event, reflecting the increasing recognition of women's contributions to the industry.

The Vision Behind the Growth

What makes these announcements particularly significant is the strategic vision driving them. Pool Nation's approach to partnerships and team building prioritizes alignment of values and educational objectives over purely financial considerations.

We partner with, it's not about money, it's about vision and it's about understanding, having a common goal or what the purpose of Pool Nation and what we're trying to accomplish out here. And we see eye to eye 100% with that.

— John JJ Flawless, Pool Nation Podcast

This philosophy ensures that all initiatives serve the broader goal of elevating the entire pool industry through education, professionalism, and innovation. It's a long-term approach that prioritizes sustainable growth and meaningful impact over short-term gains.

The focus on becoming "a nation of pool pros" isn't just a catchy slogan—it's a comprehensive vision that encompasses technical expertise, business acumen, leadership development, and industry advancement. Each new partnership and team addition serves this larger purpose.

Looking Forward: Industry Impact

These developments signal several important trends for the pool industry. First, there's a growing recognition that professional development must address both technical and business skills. Second, partnerships between educational organizations and industry manufacturers can create powerful synergies for knowledge transfer and innovation.

The timing is particularly relevant given the industry's current challenges and opportunities. New regulations, emerging technologies, and changing customer expectations require professionals who can adapt, innovate, and lead. Pool Nation's expanded capabilities position them to address these needs comprehensively.

For individual professionals, these developments offer expanded learning opportunities and career advancement possibilities. The combination of leadership development through Doreen King's expertise and technical education through the NIDEC partnership creates a comprehensive professional development ecosystem.

Practical Implications for Pool Professionals

These announcements have immediate practical implications for pool industry professionals. The expanded educational offerings will likely include new training programs, certification opportunities, and professional development resources that can enhance career prospects and business performance.

The focus on variable speed motor education addresses a specific, urgent need as regulations continue to evolve across different markets. Professionals who stay current on these developments will be better positioned to serve their customers and grow their businesses.

The leadership development component, under Doreen King's guidance, promises to address critical gaps in business skills that often limit the growth potential of technically skilled professionals. This could include areas such as customer relationship management, business strategy, financial management, and team leadership.

Pool Nation's commitment to comprehensive education reflects broader industry trends toward professionalization and standardization. As the industry matures, the most successful professionals will be those who combine technical expertise with business acumen and leadership skills.

The strategic partnerships and team expansions announced in this episode represent more than organizational growth—they signal a commitment to elevating the entire pool industry through education, innovation, and professional development. For pool professionals looking to advance their careers and improve their businesses, these developments offer exciting new opportunities for learning and growth.

As Pool Nation continues to expand its educational offerings and strategic partnerships, the vision of creating "a nation of pool pros" becomes increasingly achievable. The combination of experienced leadership, industry partnerships, and comprehensive programming creates a powerful platform for professional development and industry advancement that benefits individual professionals and the broader pool industry community.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Team Updates
• 05:00 Announcing NIDEC US Motors Partnership
• 10:00 Welcoming Doreen King to the Team
• 15:00 Women's Summit Registration Success
• 20:00 Vision and Future Plans