IN THE NEWS: "Lew Akins Honored as 2009 CBP of the Year"

Alexandria, VA, Oct. 1, 2009- The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) has chosen Lew Akins as the 2009 "Certified Building Professional^™ (CBP) of the Year." This is the APSP Builders Council’s "lifetime achievement" award, presented to a Certified Building Professional and APSP member whose accomplishments have made a significant contribution to the profession.

Dedicated to the pool and spa industry since 1979, Akins is widely known as a well-respected builder, speaker, trainer, consultant and expert witness. Akins has won more than 187 regional and national design awards from APSP, NSPI and other industry organizations. Lew's company "Ocean Quest Pools" has been named one of the "Top 50 Pool Builders in the U.S." by Pool and Spa News on six separate occasions - most recently in 2009. In 2000, Akins was inducted into the NSPI Region III Hall of Fame.

For the past 24 years, Akins has been a regular speaker and educator at the APSP regional and international conventions, training pool builders on advanced subjects including hydraulic design for swimming pools, designing and building negative-edge pools and the proper construction of waterfalls. He is widely considered one of the pioneers of vanishing-edge pool construction.

Among the APSP Builders Council, Akins is known as a superior instructor and an asset to the pool and spa industry. Nominators cited his contributions to the builder's manual, extraordinary teaching skills and "the attention to detail and the passion he brings to his work." They expressed their gratitude, naming Akins' efforts "above the call of duty of membership."

About Lew Akins

Lew Akins is the owner and founder of "Ocean Quest Pools by Lew Akins," with locations in Belton, Waco and Killeen. In the pool business since 1979, Lew is a well-known speaker, consultant, sales trainer and expert witness for the swimming pool industry. Lew has also written numerous articles on pool design and "negative edge" pools.

Lew founded Ocean Quest Pools in Austin Texas in 1984. Since then he has won more than 187 national and regional awards, more than any other central Texas pool builder. Lew was one of the modern pioneers of vanishing edge pool construction, building hundreds of these projects for clients, and providing consulting services on hundreds more.

Lew is a regular speaker at the APSP/NSPI regional and international conventions, and a featured writer and columnist for Pool and Spa News. His column, "At the Competitive Edge," answers builders' questions on complex construction issues.

As a Certified Building Professional with the APSP, Lew is frequently requested for consultation on complex and sophisticated commercial and private pool projects throughout the country.

In 1998, Lew sold Ocean Quest Pools of Austin to focus on his consulting and specialty construction business. In February of 2000, Mr. Akins was named to the N.S.P.I. Region III Hall of Fame. In 2002, he opened "Ocean Quest Pools By Lew Akins" in Belton Texas, and added facilities in Killeen and Waco in 2006.

On six occasions, Lew has been named one of the top fifty pool builders in the U.S. in the annual Pool and Spa News "Industry Choice Awards."

Lew can be reached by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by phone at 254-933-8370, or by appointment at Ocean Quest Pools By Lew Akins; 2606 S. I-35, Belton, TX. 76613.

Expert Consultation

If you’re facing a pool construction challenge such as a steep slope, difficult access, multi-level or negative edge plumbing, or other advanced construction challenges, Lew Akins is the guy to call. Lew has assisted contractors across the country, in Europe, Central America, South America and Asia with challenging projects for their clients. If you’re struggling with a pool construction challenge, give Lew a call at 254-933-8370. There’s no charge for an initial phone consultation.

“Lew was great. He definitely knew his stuff. He arrived when he said he would, and he got right down to business. I had several other people tell me ‘Hey, you should try this,’ or ‘you should try that,’ but I didn't want to ‘guess’ on a big project like this. Lew knew exactly what we needed to do to fix the problem."

 

“When he went back home, he followed up with me to make sure everything was fine. He didn't just take my money and disappear. He’s a good dude. If I ever need help with a pool again, I will definitely call him.”

 

Jamie Brimacombe
Owner, BRIMACOMBE LANDSCAPE, Clarkston MI

International Speaker

Over the last twenty years, Lew has provided training for pool builders all around the world on many advanced subjects including:

• Building Custom Water Features
• Proper Construction of Waterfalls
• Designing & Building Negative Edge Pools
• Hydraulic Design for Swimming Pools
• Pool Designs with Landscaping In Mind
• Proper Presentation of a Sales Proposal (To Ensure a Satisfied Customer)

Other courses are available on request. Fees are reasonable, and satisfaction is always guaranteed.

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Sales Training & Sales Assistance

Lew conducts sales training programs specifically for the pool construction industry, sharing his time-tested selling and presentation methods with sales teams and sales individuals.

Lew also offers sales consultation on an ad hoc basis for builders who really want to close a spectacular project or critical deal. Fees are reasonable, and satisfaction is always guaranteed.

Here are some comments from one of Lew's more recent sales training classes at the International Pool and Spa Expo:

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Expert Witness

When disputes arise in swimming pool construction, you may want an expert to offer an unbiased third party opinion. Whether you are a client who’s been treated unfairly, or a pool contractor unjustly accused, an honest and objective third party opinion will often bring about a quick and inexpensive resolution to pool construction problems and misunderstandings.

Lew has frequently served as a mediator, a binding arbitrator and/or expert witness on frequent occasions throughout the US. As a Certified Building Professional and recognized industry expert in swimming pool construction and design, Lew is an ideal resource for dispute resolution on the subjects of:

• Design Standards
• Workmanship Standards
• Suitability of Materials
• Equipment Selection
• Pool Hydraulics
• Drainage
• "Vanishing Edge" Design & Application
• Adherence to Contract

For a FREE no-obligation consultation with Lew, please call (254) 933-8370, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fees are reasonable, and satisfaction is always guaranteed.

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Certified Building Professional® (CBP)

Lew Akins is a Certified Building Professional® who has been tested and certified by the world's largest trade organization of professional pool and spa builders.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals™ (APSP) has developed the most comprehensive testing program for today's builders to demonstrate their mastery of the latest techniques in pool and spa construction.

Gone are the old “see-ment” ponds of yesterday, replaced by sleek, well-designed swimming pools that require less maintenance than you might imagine, if equipped with the latest in pool cleaning systems. Today's pools and spas also have more features available to create a romantic ambience. Now there's fiber optic lighting that changes water to liquid rubies or molten gold, mood lighting that illuminates the water's edge, and landscaping that transforms a suburban backyard into a tropical paradise and a soothing place to float while pondering the important issues of the day.

Choosing a CBP means you're hiring a builder who has demonstrated knowledge of state-of-the-art pool and spa information, including:

• Construction standards approved by the American National Standards Institute.
• APSP workmanship standards.
• Government regulatory requirements.
• Compaction, excavation and soil.
• Stabilization techniques.
• Heaters, decks and other accessories.

“Our members build the most beautiful pools and spas in the world,” says Bill Weber, President and CEO of APSP. “When consumers work with an APSP-certified builder, they can rest assured that the beauty is not just skin deep. Their pool and spa will be built using the most current standards and technology, and built to last.”

A certified service professional can guide customers in their choices of what equipment and accessories best suit them, from heating and filtration systems to fully automated cleaning systems and fiber optic lighting.

APSP has more than 5,200 members representing manufacturers, distributors, builders, retailers and service companies who share a commitment to fair business practices and a standard of excellence in health and safety.

APSP – “The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals”

The APSP is the world's largest international trade association representing the swimming pool, spa, hot tub and recreational water industries. APSP is the leading industry advocate promoting professional best practices through education, industry standards, and safety.

APSP members adhere to a code of ethics in business and technical practices and share a strong commitment to the safe, healthful, and enjoyable use of industry products.

The APSP effectively replaced another well-known industry organization known as “National Pool and Spa Institute” or NSPI in 2006.

More information at: The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals

APSP Member Code of Ethics

All members of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals agree to observe and be dedicated to the following principles and policies:

• To promote the concepts of free enterprise and service to the public and the industry.
• To strive continually to gain respect for the industry, both in the local community and on the regional and national levels.
• To contribute to the health, safety and welfare of the public in the installation, maintenance and operation of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs, and to comply with applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.
• To support efforts to improve swimming pool, spa and hot tub products and services, and to encourage research and development of new materials, techniques and methods.
• To avoid statements which will mislead customers in advertising and other efforts to sell products.

International Awards of Excellence

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) purchased the rights to the International Awards of Excellence competition, formerly called the Design Awards, from Swimming Pool Weekly publisher Robert Hoffman in 1969.

The competition is open only to APSP member builders, designers, and service and retail firms. Many hundreds of entries are submitted each year, representing member firms across the United States and around the world. More information at: International Awards of Excellence

ECOsmarte

ECOsmarte sanitizes your pool or spa without chemicals. Their planet friendly system costs less than $1 per month to operate and will save you money on your electrical bill from reduced filtration. Once you installed, you will have major savings by eliminating chemical expenses.

You will eliminate:

• Toxic chemicals
• Health hazards
• Offensive chemical odors
• Damage to our environment
• Damage to pool equipment

For spas and above ground pools the system uses copper ionization, which has a faster and longer kill rate than chlorine or bromine. Natural oxygen is delivered to your spa at a rate ten times greater than ozone whenever the pump runs. Copper only systems may be used for waterfalls, fountains, ponds and water displays. ECOsmarte

BBB – “Better Business Bureau”

An organization with local branches across the United States who act as an intermediary between consumers and businesses to resolve disputes and provide information on ethical business practices. Examples of services that they provide are Business Reliability Reports, Dispute Resolution, Truth-in-Advertising, Consumer and Business Education and Charity Review.

Businesses earning the right to be included in this organization have a strong reputation of taking care of their customers. More information at: Better Business Bureau

NSPI Hall of Fame

We received what is considered the most prestigious award in the pool industry when inducted into the Hall of Fame by Aqua Magazine. The Hall of Fame recognizes swimming pool companies that have consistently demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and creativity in customer service, workmanship, store design, promotions, advertising, and product knowledge. NSPI Hall of Fame