Pool Builder
Going Above & Beyond For Pool Customers
Scott Payne knows a few things about making brand ambassadors out of his pool customers. As one of the leading pool builders in Pennsylvania, he says he considers it his personal priority to make sure that his customers are happy with the end product.
His company Scott Payne Custom Pools is a local fixture in Montgomeryville which is located roughly 40 minutes between Allentown and Philadelphia as the crow flies. Word-of-mouth referrals are important to the builder who says that when it comes to the backyard, his clients are looking for a firm that does it all.
Recalibrating For Success
“Over my career, I saw the disconnect with some of the companies I worked for in the industry. We set up the model of Scott Payne Custom Pools to be different. When you’re expecting a client who is spending a lot of money with you to GC their own project, that never ends well. So we vertically aligned with carpenters, landscapers, and hardscapers. We created a very good sub-base,” said Payne, “now most of that work is in-house for us. We employ Scott Payne Outdoors as our sister company and have four full-time carpenters in that company. We have landscape, hardscape and fencing in-house, with a landscape architect on staff. There’s a benefit to it, and the customers appreciate it. They want to write one check to one person,” said Payne.
Being a One-Stop Shop
Being that all-in-one solution for the homeowner means that quite often, Payne is handling every aspect of the backyard renovation. This goes for everything from the swimming pool, to the hardscaping, to the landscaping, to all of the carpentry that goes into building the various outdoor amenities his clients are looking for. “When clients call, they ask, ‘You do everything, right? Yes, ma’am. Good, that’s what we want.’ and it just reinforces the decision for them,” said Payne.
Payne said that being that one-stop shop is what his pool customers are looking for nine times out of ten. “I have a silly rule, and that is if someone asked me more than three times for something, I explore it just to see what it would take to become fluent in it,” said Payne, “for example, we do sports courts. Now we’re one of the top distributors on the East Coast for Versa Court. We do X Grass for putting greens. Now we do Danver outdoor door cabinetry. There’s just such a benefit to being that person and having all that in our back pocket. We’re a Generac dealer and do generators. Why? People ask for them or they had bad experiences with their existing contractor. They complained about it. So we got licensed. We’ll do 50 to 60 generators this year. It makes sense. We’re already there. We have an electrician there, and we have a gas guy there.”
On Educating Himself
For Payne, the path to becoming a top pool builder would mean educating himself on what he’d need to learn to make a difference in his own local market. That meant taking the time to take classes that would make him a better builder. “I made a promise when I started the company to forget everything I thought I knew,” said Payne, “I was taught things when I worked for a national builder who was very high volume. Everybody had the same sentiment and that was how it was always done. Their process never factored in if it was right or wrong or justified.”
“I developed a relationship with Kevin Ruddy from Omega Structures. And at the time he was entrenched in Genesis with Skip Phillips and Brian Van Bower. We had this amazing friendship and he kept telling me to come take a class,” explained Payne.
“I just thought it was such an oxymoron because everything that this company stood for was not what Genesis stood for. There was just no sense in doing it their way because it was going to benefit me, but it was never going to trickle down to my customer. Literally, I think the day that I started my company, I called Kevin Ruddy and I said, hey, I’m ready,” said Payne.
“He connected me with the office at Genesis. The first class I took was in October of 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. It was a pool studio class at a Master Pools Guild event. So it’s a very nice hotel and I didn’t have a laptop. I did my pool studio on a desktop. I literally dragged my CPU down there with my monitor, my keyboard and my mouse. And I walked into class the first day and it just brought looks and laughter, but I set it up on a table where everybody set their laptops up, and that was it. I was hooked. And I’m very proud to say that I completed my SWD. 150 hours of education all over the country inside of two years,” explained Payne.
On Educating Pool Customers
Payne said that getting that education was key for him simply because building pools in Pennsylvania can be difficult at times. That education often comes into play when it comes time to educate the customer about what is involved with building a pool. “I think the consistency of state, county, and township regulations do not exist in Pennsylvania. It’s a state where every township has its own set of rules. We build in probably 40 townships in a 75 miles square area. Each has different rules and regulations. I have a full-time person where all they do is handle permits. They expedite engineering, download and fill forms out. It’s all they do all day.”
Other than the permitting concerns are the restrictions that come with building an inground swimming pool. “Stormwater management has become very prevalent in the past ten years. In almost every township it could cost the customer an additional $5,000 to $15,000, depending on how big the devices are,” said Payne.
While the pandemic spurred a tremendous increase in outdoor living improvements, rising costs are also something Payne said he has to frequently contend with. “When it comes to price increases, there’s a sadness to it. I have to be honest, we had a base price pool that we sold all day, every day. Pre-Covid that base pool was $59,000. The base price of that pool today is $84,000. It’s at the identical margin and we’re not making a penny more on that pool,” said Payne, who said it’s his unfortunate duty to break the news about what pools cost these days.
It’s also incumbent upon him to educate consumers about the pool-building process. “The process is horrible. It’s like a hip replacement,” explained Payne, “the client says, ‘I don’t want to go to PT, I don’t want to be in a hospital, but I want to dance.’ So I’m going to come in, I’m going to tear your yard up for six weeks, six months, hopefully not six years, right? But you’re going to have that first party and you’re going to remember Scott Payne Custom Pools. That’s why I do this,” said Payne.
Making every customer happy is the goal, even when things go awry, said Payne. “I think I was in business about two years and I was called out on a job for a woman named Rachel. She gave me her budget and her wish list. The number she threw out was not going to get this done. I politely start to excuse myself and say, listen, you’re probably more of a vinyl pool client than a gunite pool construction. She gets upset and I listen to her. She says, ‘I went through this hard divorce, and want to build a swimming pool for my kids, you’re going to be the builder.”, said Payne.
“I pictured my mom with my sister and me, struggling. So I said, okay, you know what? That budget, can you stretch it? And she said, ‘Yeah, I can stretch it.’ And I said, okay, ‘I’m going to bend. You stretch, I bend and we’re going to do this together,'” said Payne.
The project, which was one of Payne’s first, had its inevitable hiccups. One Payne counts as a costly lesson in doing the right thing when it counts. A few weeks after starting construction of the pool, Payne would hear back from his customer with an urgent concern. “I think it has something to do with the pool she said,” explained Payne, “the toilets are all backed up and I think you hit the sewer line. I walk through her backyard, and I walk through the neighbor’s yard, and I walk another yard over and guess what I find? A sewer line that goes right through the middle of the pool. The sewer line is leaving the basement at about seven feet deep. It’s under the pool. My excavator more than likely nicked it. Gunite comes in and shoots over it and concrete just seeped into the pipe,” said Payne.
“There’s a Marriott around the corner. I get them a room, and call my excavator,” said Payne, “I said, ‘can you do me a favor and bring the mini X and meet me at that job? He and I, over the next five or six hours dig down the front side of this pool to find the pipe. Sure enough, it’s broke.”
“We find the break. Now I have to make a decision, do I fix it or do I move it?”, said Payne, “The pool is parked on top of this pipe. I do the right thing. We dig all the way around the deep end of the pool and demo the equipment that was already set. We connect it, if you can imagine, like a question mark to the other side to the lateral going three yards down. We dig the hole, plumb it, put in cleanouts and get it inspected and backfilled. We reset the equipment, which is now junk. We redo all the plumbing, paid for that twice. We tiled, coped, and put the deck on the pool while still completing it in 28 days. It cost me $8,500 for that mistake but that story sticks out to me as a win, as setting the expectation at that point that we’re going to do things the right way, because it’s not about money. It’s about integrity.”
Pool Builder
Tenex Capital Management Acquires Pool Builder Franchisor, Blue Haven National Management Inc.
New York, NY – December 3, 2025 – Tenex Capital Management (“Tenex”) is pleased to announce an investment in Blue Haven National Management, Inc. (“Blue Haven” or “The Company”), a 71-year-old franchisor of swimming pool builders.
Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Blue Haven is believed to be the 2nd largest residential-focused pool builder franchisor in the United States. With 60+ locations nationally, Blue Haven is one of the most recognized brands in the pool industry. Blue Haven will continue to be run by Ryan Ripley, President/CEO and Matt Kimball, COO.
Blue Haven CEO, Ryan Ripley, commented, “We were very impressed by Tenex’s experience and network in the pool space and other similar industries. They offer extensive operational expertise and are poised to support our efforts in expanding our footprint by enabling us to better service existing and new franchisees. We have spent the past couple of years developing new technology for pool builders that is designed to improve the customer experience, and we believe Tenex will be a valuable partner as we continue to develop and implement Blue Haven’s offerings.”
Blue Haven COO, Matt Kimball stated, “Tenex provides the capital and resources that we believe will support our growth plans. We expect this partnership to help us move more quickly and make targeted investments for the benefit of our franchisee base and other stakeholders.”
Tenex Managing Director, Gabe Wood, remarked, “We are thrilled to partner with the Blue Haven management team & franchise operators. We look forward to providing marketing and technology support, as well as other capabilities that will allow Blue Haven to pursue their strategic and operational objectives to drive sustainable growth for this respected brand.”
The transaction closed on November 26th, 2025.
A client approached Rockwater Farm Landscapes & Hardscapes with a unique request: design a luxury backyard pool and spa that incorporated an autocover system. For many designers, that detail might have been a limitation, but for Todd Thomasson, owner of Rockwater Farm, it became the spark for something original. Rather than compromise the spa design, he treated the challenge as an opportunity to elevate the overall aesthetic. The result is a one-of-a-kind “Pac-Man” style spa that delivers both functionality and a striking focal point for the backyard.
A Philosophy of Unique Design
For Thomasson, every project begins with the belief that no two backyards should ever look the same. “We simply don’t build the same thing twice,” he explained. “Even if it’s another 20 by 40 pool, the backyard, the access, the elevations—all of it is different. Every time is the first time for us, and that’s what makes design exciting”.
This philosophy extends beyond pools. Founded nearly two decades ago, Rockwater Farm began as a landscaping company rooted in Thomasson’s background as a trained stonemason. Over the years, the company evolved to specialize in complete outdoor environments—pools, pavilions, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, and landscape integration. That holistic approach ensures projects flow seamlessly, with one point of accountability and a vision that unifies all elements of the backyard.
Setting the Stage for Something Different
Like many of Rockwater Farm’s most memorable projects, this one began with a relationship. The homeowners had been long-time maintenance clients, trusting the company with their property care for years. When they purchased a new home in a growing neighborhood, they wanted more than just a functional backyard — they envisioned a place to entertain, gather, and enjoy with family.
The project unfolded in phases. First came a patio, outdoor kitchen, and pergola connected to the house — all designed and built by Thomasson’s team. But those elements were only part of a bigger dream. From the start, the homeowners knew a pool and spa would eventually complete the space. The question wasn’t if, but how.
The “Pac-Man” Spa
When it came time to plan the pool and reconcile the client’s desire for an autocover, Thomasson faced a design puzzle. The cover system required uninterrupted space at one end of the pool, which conflicted with traditional spa placement. Rather than forcing a compromise, he cut a quarter out of the spa and turned it into a design opportunity.
“I didn’t want the typical spa on the side of the pool that spills in. Those are dime a dozen,” said Thomasson. “We’re always asking: what haven’t we done, or what can we pull from different projects to create something unique? This became what we call a crow’s nest of a spa, perched up on the corner of the pool. Because of the shape, it ended up looking like Pac-Man”.
The cut-out serves multiple purposes. It creates a clean line for the autocover to function, ensures no one has their back to the pool—a safety consideration—and frames the water in a striking way. “By taking out that piece, we kept visibility of the water as a priority. Everyone in the spa is still looking across the pool, not away from it,” he explained.
A Balance of Safety and Style
Safety wasn’t an afterthought. For Thomasson, it was ingrained in the design process. He recalled his own childhood experiences as part of the inspiration: “I grew up with a pool. My mom was a school teacher, sitting on the deck with a whistle. That always stuck with me—the importance of seeing the water. It’s something I think about in every project”.
In this way, the spa design became both functional and symbolic. It respected the client’s need for safety, maintained visual oversight of the water, and at the same time became a distinctive element that elevated the project’s sophistication.
Material Selections That Complement the Design
The pool’s elegance extends beyond its shape. Every material was selected with care. Around the pool, Thomasson used marble decking with a sandblasted finish, chosen for its comfort and practicality. “It doesn’t get hot underfoot like flagstone, pavers, or even concrete. At the same time, it provides grip, so it’s safe as well as beautiful”.
The pavilion, angled to enhance views from the house, introduces a rustic counterpoint with Pennsylvania flagstone underfoot and heavy timber framing overhead. “Everything on this project is natural stone. We don’t really do pavers. I’m biased as a former stonemason, but I believe it’s a better product. It holds up, and it looks timeless,” Thomasson said.
The interior finish of the pool is a darker blue plaster, selected for both aesthetic and practical reasons. It reflects light beautifully and helps maintain water temperature, creating shimmering, reflective tones that change with the sky.
Transitioning Spaces Through Stone
Another intentional design detail was the use of contrasting materials at transitions. “I like step treads to be a contrasting material so they stand out. If you run travertine everywhere, bright sunlight can wash out those changes and someone could trip. By mixing materials, you get safety and visual definition, while also creating a sense of arriving in a new space,” Thomasson explained.
Bringing the Backyard to Life at Night
While the spa steals the show during the day, the backyard transforms into something even more dramatic after sunset. Thomasson integrated extensive lighting throughout the landscape, pavilion, and pool features. Solid granite fire bowls, gas-powered and glowing after dark, punctuate the scene. The pavilion’s fireplace adds warmth and atmosphere, while deck jets and bubblers with LED lighting create playful movement and vibrant accents.
“There’s just a lot of different activity that can happen out here. It’s not just a backyard—it’s a resort,” Thomasson said.
The Moment It All Came Together
For Thomasson, the true impact of the design hit during the project’s first photo shoot. “It really sank in when I was there at night. The lights were on, it was warm, everything came together. I just walked around and thought, ‘We actually built this. This looks awesome.’ It was one of those moments where you stop, take it in, and appreciate what you created”.
That moment of reflection underscores what makes Rockwater Farm distinctive: a blend of design ingenuity, craftsmanship, and respect for the client’s trust.
Beyond the Expected
What could have been a design obstacle—the integration of an autocover—became the genesis of one of Rockwater Farm’s most memorable projects. By embracing the challenge, Thomasson and his team produced something that is not only functional but also a signature piece of design. The Pac-Man spa represents more than a clever workaround; it reflects a philosophy of turning limitations into opportunities.
In Thomasson’s words, “Ultimately, you want something different in your portfolio. That’s how we approach design. It’s about pushing creativity while still serving the client’s needs”.
For Rockwater Farm, thinking around covers and corners has become second nature—and it shows in every detail of this unique backyard retreat.
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation with Todd Thomasson of Rockwater Farm on the Pool Magazine Podcast.
WARMINSTER, PA, UNITED STATES, October 10, 2025 — Anthony & Sylvan Pools – the premier residential swimming pool and spa builder, renovator, and service provider in the United States – today announced that Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Chong will be stepping down after nearly eight years with the company to pursue a new opportunity in the professional services sector.
Since joining Anthony & Sylvan in 2018, Chong has held several key executive positions, including General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, and most recently Chief Executive Officer since April 2022. During her tenure, she guided the company through the challenges of the pandemic and the post-COVID market environment while helping to strengthen its culture, built a high-performing leadership team and prepared a framework for the next phase of growth. Chong reflected, “Leading and supporting Anthony & Sylvan’s growth over the past eight years has been a true honor for me. I am grateful for what we have achieved and look forward to its continued growth and success in the years ahead.”
Chong will remain on the Anthony & Sylvan Board of Directors to support a smooth transition and continue contributing to the company’s strategy.
The Board has appointed Alan Walker, Senior Vice President of Operations, as Interim CEO, effective October 22, 2025, while a search is conducted for a permanent successor. With more than 20 years at Anthony & Sylvan, Walker brings extensive operational experience, deep industry knowledge, and strong relationships throughout the organization and the pool industry.
“Bonnie’s leadership, intellect, and integrity have guided Anthony & Sylvan through a transformative period,” said Erik Waldin, Chairman of the Board. “We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. We also have full confidence in Alan’s leadership and his ability to continue the company’s positive momentum.”
About Anthony & Sylvan
Founded in 1946, Anthony & Sylvan Pools is one of the nation’s largest and most experienced swimming pool design and construction companies. In its nearly 80-year history, it has served more than a million customers throughout the U.S.
The entities doing business as Anthony & Sylvan Pools include Anthony & Sylvan Pools Corporation, Anthony & Sylvan Corp. and Anthony & Sylvan Pools North Carolina LLC. Anthony & Sylvan’s statewide licenses/registrations: #SPB.0000089 and HIC.0501976(CT); #2006201521(DE); #410512000233(DC); CPC1459629 and CPC1459777 (FL); #203008(MA); 05-129792 – Reg#95872(MD); #13VH01546700(NJ); #H-20201 and #WC22294H09(NY); #0023414(NV); #68766(NC); #006381(PA); GC-46619(RI); CLG 125269(SC); #75966(TN);13800478-5501(UT); #2701011419(VA RFC/ELE); and #WV030223(WV). FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CONTRACTORS AND THE NEW JERSEY CONTRACTORS’ REGISTRATION ACT, CONTACT THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT 1.888.656.6225.
Nicole Lasorda
Anthony & Sylvan
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