ABOUT CLARKSON POOLS
Welcome to Clarkson Pools: Celebrating 35 Years of Excellence
Clarkson Pools, formerly “Pools by John Clarkson”, takes immense pride in celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025. Our story began in the 1950s with a dedication to customer service, quality, and innovation that continues to define our approach today.
A Legacy of Customer Service & Quality: The John Clarkson Story
In 1989, our founder John Clarkson embarked on a mission to revolutionize the pool industry in Jacksonville by launching “Pools by John Clarkson”. John’s passion for pool construction had always run deep, with his family laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.
John began working in the family pool business in the 1960s and advanced to running it in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1989, he founded “Pools by John Clarkson” to create a company focused on providing exceptional customer experiences while delivering innovation, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to quality in Northeast Florida.
In the 1990s, John Clarkson attended the inaugural Genesis 3 design school, where he learned modern design principles for creating truly unique pools incorporating water features, innovative construction methods, and high-quality materials. Today Clarkson Pools continues to uphold its commitment to this design philosophy through our Design Consultant Training Program; a multi-year education program designed to continuously evolve our Design Consultants knowledge and skills to ensure they deliver the best pools possible in form, function, and final product.
In 1996, Pools by John Clarkson joined the buying group Aquatech, now known as United Aqua Group (UAG). This enabled direct relationships with equipment manufacturers and material suppliers, granting greater access and control over pool products than could ever be achieved through typical distribution purchasing that many pool builders rely on. UAG also offers a number of yearly educational opportunities through conferences and symposiums, where we are able to share and collaborate on new techniques, ideas, and innovations with other pool builders throughout the country.
From Pools to Outdoor Living: Our Evolution
In 2017, recognizing the desire for a more comprehensive outdoor living experience, we formally established our “Outdoor Living” division, dedicated to creating beautiful outdoor environments for backyard entertainment. From outdoor kitchens and living spaces, to fireplaces, cabanas and pergolas, today we create stunning outdoor spaces that elevate the Florida lifestyle and redefine outdoor living.
Pool Care: A Life of the Pool Commitment
In 2010 Pools by John Clarkson established the Pool Care division to continue providing consistent and exceptional experiences for our customers beyond pool construction. Pool Care provides weekly maintenance, repair service, and pool renovation, allowing us to provide Clarkson Quality at every step of the life of the pool relationship with our customers.
Clarkson Quality: The Clarkson Difference
Since our inception, Clarkson Pools has been synonymous with quality craftsmanship and unparalleled service. Our dedication to “Clarkson Quality” permeates every aspect of our work, from design and construction to maintenance and repair. It is our 100% commitment to deliver quality in everything we do – if we can’t deliver Clarkson Quality in form, function, and final product, then we won’t do it.
Embracing the Future
As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, Clarkson Pools looks forward to the next chapter of our journey. With gratitude for our past and excitement for the future, we remain dedicated to excellence, innovation, and elevating the pool and outdoor living experience for years to come.
A Legacy of Community
As an integral part of the Northeast Florida community, Clarkson Pools has left an indelible mark on the local pool industry. Our longstanding partnerships and respectful relationships with builders and subcontractors reflect our commitment to collaboration and community development. Through our PBJC Family program and other charitable initiatives, we give back to the community that has supported us for over three decades.
Certifications
Aqua Tech/United Aqua Group
PBJC is a proud member of United Aqua Group (UAG) – one of the nation’s largest organizations dedicated to the professional pool building and retail industry. The group is member-owned and is comprised of individually operated business owners that have been selectively qualified and are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, quality and service in the industry. Because members come from markets throughout the country, they are able to share their experiences, best practices, and new concepts to improve the skills and capabilities of the entire group.
The exclusive United Aqua Group will accept no pool builder other than those that meet their strict standards for quality construction, business ethics, and financial strength. Less than 1% of all pool builders in America have been approved to join the ranks of United Aqua Group.
Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA)
The Florida Swimming Pool Association serves as the coordinating organization for swimming pool builders and other pool industry professionals who have committed to abide by the FSPA membership code of ethics.
In addition, the FSPA provides government relations representation on behalf of its members to the Florida Building Commission and the Construction Industry Licensing Board as well as other legislative bodies that regulate the swimming pool industry in Florida (such as the Department of Health).
The Association provides educational courses for industry professionals, produces an annual industry trade show, and acts as a consumer resource for finding reliable professionals in the swimming pool industry.
Clarkson Pools has volunteered in state and local chapters in a number of ways including:
- Board member
Officer - Scholarship committee
- Arbitration committee
- Technical Advisory Committee for state building commission – Responsible for reviewing and making recommendations regarding state building codes.
- Construction Trades Qualifying & Licensing board member – Appointed by multiple governors and mayors in Jacksonville.
FSPA Membership Code of Ethics
Believing that honesty and integrity, high ideals and concern for the welfare of the pool industry and the public we serve are both desirable and necessary, and in a sincere effort to promote the mission of the Association, members of the FSPA pledge themselves to:
- Keep honesty as our guiding business policy.
- Comply with the spirit and letter of business contracts, existing laws and codes, and manage employees, subcontractors and suppliers with fairness and honor.
- Provide fair and expeditious response to claims covered under warranty.
- Work for the benefit of the consumer through the use of quality materials and construction practices backed by integrity and service.
- Keep informed regarding public policies and other essential information which may affect our business interests and those of the pool industry as a whole by attending the minimum number of association meetings as prescribed by my local Chapter.
- Promote the concepts of free enterprise and service to the public and the industry.
- Make all advertising and sales promotion factually accurate, use only competent testimonials, avoid those practices which tend to mislead or deceive the customer, and refrain from false or misleading criticism of competitors.
- Support and abide by the decisions of the Association in promoting and enforcing the Code of Ethics and cooperate with any investigation related to such enforcement.
More information at: floridapoolpro.com.
Awards
Pool & Hot Tub Alliance: International Awards of Excellence
Formally known as APSP, the PHTA International Awards of Excellence honors members whose pools, spas and water features represent some of the best designs in the industry.
NSPI HALL OF FAME
In 1998, John Clarkson was elected into the NSPI Hall of Fame for service at the Local, State and National levels of the organization.
Top 50 Builders
Each year the Pool & Spa News magazine researches all the major pool and spa builders in North America based on criteria such as longevity, customer satisfaction, quality ratings, awards, etc. and compile a list of the Top 50 Builders in the pool and spa industry. We are privileged and proud to have been selected as a Top 50 Builder multiple times.
BEST OF HOUZZ
Every year, the Houzz community selects professionals for Best of Houzz in the categories of Design and Customer Service. The prestigious award highlights the top-rated home improvement professionals and the most popular home designs, Pools and spas. We are privileged and proud to be on the lists of award winners for multiple years.
More info at: houzz.com
Best of UAG
United Aqua Group is one of the nation’s largest organizations dedicated to the professional pool building and retail industry. United Aqua Group manages and operates Aquatech, Aquacommercial and AquaValue, which remain the trusted brands for residential and commercial pool design and construction. Today United Aqua Group is widely recognized as the most prestigious and comprehensive professional member organization in the pool building and retail industry.
Every year at the annual conference, UAG hosts the Awards of Distinction. The Awards of Distinction is a time honored, members-only competition that recognizes the hard work, dedication and many achievements of the members throughout the year. We are proud that we have won many awards of distinction in residential, remodel, and commercial pool design and construction. Our top honors include the coveted Aqua Master award multiple times, The Best of Show in 2011, and the Zodiac Pool of the year in 2014.
Meet the Sales Team
Meet the Customer Service Team
Meet the Operations Team
Meet the PoolCare Team
Meet the Legends of PBJC
Our Mascots
If you’ve ever visited our office, then you have most certainly met our beloved chocolate Labrador mascot, Wrigley, and his brother, Jack Murphy.
Wrigley is actually now a famous TV celebrity. He was the star of an edition of “Animal Attraction” on PBS!
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Wrigley Clarkson – Official Greeter
2004 – 2019
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Jack Murphy Clarkson – Head of Security 2008 – 2018
About Clarkson Pools
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