Pool Industry Mourns the Passing of Icon, Vance Gillette

The pool industry lost one of its brightest stars with the recent passing of Vance Gillette. Known for his unwavering passion and visionary leadership, Gillette was more than just a figurehead in the industry; he was a trailblazer who fundamentally changed how we view and experience swimming pools. His legacy is one that will be remembered for generations, not only for the innovations he brought forth but for the indelible mark he left on everyone he encountered.

Mourning The Passing of a True Innovator: Vance Gillette

Chuck Baumann of Creative Environments, a close friend and colleague, reflected on Gillette’s profound influence on the industry and the people within it. “I was very fortunate to meet Vance early on in his career because we grew up near each other, and we chose the same industry to participate in,” Baumann shared. “We started working with Howard Arneson and Andrew Pansini, two giants in our industry who were instrumental in creating the robotic pool sweeps. Not only was Vance in at the ground floor, but he got to work shoulder-to-shoulder with two of the early innovators of our industry. Both had a major role in influencing him in his early career.”

Gillette’s career was a quintessential American success story. He began by working closely with industry pioneers, quickly making a name for himself through his work in sales and marketing. His journey eventually led him to an important role with Jandy, where he spent years guiding the company to new heights. However, Gillette’s impact extended far beyond the corporate world.

A Champion for the Industry

“He was always such a cheerleader for our industry,” Baumann noted. “Whenever there would be a national show, he would be that guy in the booth promoting not just his product but the industry as a whole. He made it a point to let all of us know how important having a swimming pool was to our life. Vance was really the one guy that championed the concept of having a swimming pool was such an integral part of our lifestyle.”

Gillette’s approach was unique in that he shifted the conversation from the technical aspects of pool construction to the emotional and lifestyle benefits of owning a pool. He encouraged industry professionals to focus on how pools enhance lives, rather than just their mechanical superiority. Baumann recalled how Gillette would send daily emails highlighting the joy and relaxation that swimming pools bring to people’s lives, accentuating the emotional connection homeowners have with their backyards.

Changing Industry & Public Perception

“He diverted our industry from being product focused and said, ‘Listen, guys, we need to be promoting the lifestyle and the enjoyment of having a swimming pool in your life.’ Today, we see what a tremendous influence he had. A lot of people don’t understand where all that originated from. He is the guy that is responsible for promoting the concept of outdoor living,” Baumann emphasized. “Vance was the single person that I can go back and put my finger on and say, this individual really took our industry to a whole different level.”

Gillette was known for his positive outlook and his ability to inspire those around him. Baumann described him as someone who could brighten up any room he entered, not by demanding attention, but by speaking with the wisdom and insight that compelled others to listen. “He had such great passion about our industry, and loved being in the pool business,” Baumann said. “When he opened his mouth and said something, it was very profound. You wanted to sit and absorb what he had to say because you knew it was important. He was a mentor to every one of us.”

One of Baumann’s most cherished memories of Gillette involved a story about an early promotional tape Baumann had created to showcase his pool construction services. After watching the tape, Gillette gently but firmly redirected Baumann’s focus. “He didn’t want to offend me, but he said, ‘Chuck, it’s about the sizzle; it’s not about the steak. People don’t need to see how the sausage is made.’ And that’s what Vance was telling me in a very polite way,” Baumann recalled with a laugh. “He was the guy that said, ‘No, no, no. We do it to enhance people’s lives.’ And once you start selling in that direction, everybody is going to want what we have.”

“A Man Who Saw The Bigger Picture”

Gillette’s forward-thinking approach and ability to see the bigger picture were not limited to his immediate circle. He recognized that the pool industry’s true competition was not other pool builders but alternative leisure industries, such as boating and camping, that vied for consumers’ disposable income. Baumann recalled a summit meeting where Gillette shared this insight, which was a revelation to many in attendance.

“In the COVID era that just passed us, people didn’t go out and buy a motorhome, or a new boat, or take a vacation someplace. They invested in their backyard because of how it enhanced their lifestyle,” Baumann reflected. “And that’s a direct effect of what Vance had been promoting to the industry for years, decades.”

Gillette’s influence extended beyond just marketing and sales; he played a crucial role in changing public perception of swimming pools. “There was a time period where realtors would not show a house if it had a swimming pool in it because it was such a liability,” Baumann explained. “It was people like Vance Gillette that helped turn that around and take a perceived liability and turn it into a very high-valued asset.”

Remembering Vance Gillette

Today, the pool industry is thriving, and much of that success can be attributed to the vision and leadership of Vance Gillette. His ability to see beyond the mechanics of pool construction and focus on the joy and lifestyle benefits that pools bring to people has left a lasting legacy. As Baumann put it, “I was saying that for years and years, thank God we had somebody like Vance Gillette to help stimulate the pool industry and guide it in the direction that it’s in right now.”

Vance Gillette’s passing is a profound loss for the pool industry, but his influence will continue to be felt for many years to come. He was a mentor, a leader, and a friend to many, and his legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched and the industry he helped shape. As we remember Vance, we are reminded of the importance of passion, vision, and the power of a positive mindset—qualities that defined his life and career.

5/5 – (19 votes)

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