Member Spotlight: Justin Ivey
What was your first industry job?
When Blue Wave hired me, I came in once a week to work on their email outreach and internal system organization. I basically started as their IT professional.
How long have you worked in the pool & spa industry?
One whole decade! Blue Wave hired me in 2010.
Tell us about your favorite Pool & Spa Show memory?
The launch of the Rookie to All-Star class! I spent a lot of time as part of the development team for the training, and seeing a sold-out room for the first class at the Show was absolutely outstanding.
How has being a part of NESPA impacted your career?
NESPA gives me the best opportunity each year to network and learn from industry peers. The Pool & Spa Show has given me the ability to connect with new vendors, find new products, and receive beneficial training across a variety of topics.
What is your favorite pool project that you have worked on, and why?
My favorite project must be Blue Wave's continued work with the City of Bridgeport. Blue Wave has helped them secure the Pool Safely Grant from the Consumer Product Safety Commission twice. The allocated funds were used to train operators and health department staff in Connecticut and educate their youth programs on enjoying swimming safely.
What are the key skills or traits a person needs to be successful in our industry?
Focus and determination. In the Northeast, pool service season hits hard and moves quickly. To get through the chaos, one definitely needs to learn how to focus and keep pushing forward.
Tell us about your favorite Pool & Spa Show memory?
The launch of the Rookie to All-Star class! I spent a lot of time as part of the development team for the training, and seeing a sold-out room for the first class at the Show was absolutely outstanding.
When you aren't working, you are…?
Disc golfing. Throwing discs through the woods into chained metal baskets. It really is a wonderful sport!
What is something that most people don't know about you (fun fact)?
I collect records! I do, in fact, mean pressed vinyl records. The collection includes many genres and spans many decades - from 1958's Mitch Miller and the Gang Christmas Sing-Along to 2020's Pepper – Kona Town. I play them all – nothing remains unopened or not played!
Who inspires you?
Trey Anastasio. The accomplished musician, best known for his part in the band Phish, continues to give back and create for the community that helps him fight his struggle with addiction every day. Just recently, he raised over $1 million through a series of live-streamed concerts from the Beacon Theatre in New York City to be put towards a state-of-the-art addiction clinic in Vermont. To accomplish that during 2020 is quite a feat!
Get to know fellow NESPA members and leaders in a new light! Each month we will put the spotlight on a member of the NESPA community. Know someone we should profile or interested in being profiled? Email Kelly McKelvey at kmckelvey@nespapool.org.