Paragon Pools Media Releases
Nevada Pool Builder NAMED TO APSP NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joseph M Vassallo, CBP Founder of Paragon Pools also Named to Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition
(September 12, 2011, Las Vegas, NV) Nevada pool builder, Joseph M. Vassallo, CBP founder of Paragon Pools in Las Vegas was named to the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) National Executive Board of Directors during the organizations recent Builders Council meeting in San Diego. Vassallo was appointed Director at Large by Chairman Elect Joe Amato.
A longtime member of the APSP, Vassallo has been an active participant with the organization on local, regional and national levels working closely with industry peers to enhance educational, ethical, safety and licensing initiatives. In addition to serving on the APSP National Board, Vassallo also serves on the National Builders Council, the Education Committee, and the CBP of the Year Committee.
Vassallo was also named Director at Large to the Board of the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition (SNCDPC), a non-profit organization. The coalition's goal is to educate the public on how to safely use and enjoy residential and public swimming pools and spas; by hosting community events, issuing public service announcements, and presenting collateral materials.
A stalwart water safety advocate, he has diligently worked with organizations, public service entities and local officials for over two decades to bring awareness to the community through events and Paragon Pools' Float Like A Duck program.
Vegas Pool Builder Joseph M. Vassallo, CBP Named Int. Adviser for Editorial Board by
Waves: India’s pool, spa, and bath Magazine
(July 2011, Las Vegas, NV) The international publication Waves: India’s pool, spa and bath Magazine has named Las Vegas pool builder Joseph M. Vassallo, CBP to the publications editorial board as the International Adviser. Published by Media One Group, the bi-monthly publication features articles and editorials on the latest design, construction and innovations in the pool, spa and bath industry.
“Waves would like to take this opportunity to welcome International Waterscape designer Joseph M. Vassallo on joining the editorial team,” scribes Editor Suraj Bali in the Editor Notes of the April/May 2011 issue. “We are excited and honored to have an innovative prodigy among us.”
The inaugural issue of Waves – July/August 2010 featured a 4-page spread on Vassallo and Paragon Pools showcasing the company’s multi award-winning cabana spa project. Vassallo was the first and only American pool builder/contractor showcased in the publication that caters to a dual audience of industry types as well as consumers.
Vassallo is recognized internationally for his innovative design concepts, industry involvement, consumer awareness, safety activism and community service. His editorial contributions began as a contributing columnist for the Las Vegas Review Journal where he penned a pool and spa column for two years. He then went on to co-author an award-winning, coffee table book, The Al Fresco Life: Pools, Spas, Bars & Kitchens featuring Paragon Pools’ projects across the Las Vegas valley. Since then he has published two more pool-trensic books, edition I and II of the Intentional Award Winning Pools, Spas, & Water Environments based on winners of the annual GAVA Awards. In addition, he is contributor for the APSP’s technical manuscript the Certified Building Professionals Builder’s Manual.
Vassallo’s feature story in the April/May 2011 issue beginning on page 16 explains, “The Dynamics of an Infinity Edge Pool.” http://www.wavesmagazine.in/virtual_magazine04/index.htm "I am very impressed with the Waves Magazine team; Christopher Castillo, and Suraj Bali’s commitment to informing and educating their readers is inspirational,” states Vassallo. “I look forward to sharing ideas and concepts with our international associates and hope to bring insight to the exciting field of AquaTekture.”
Vassallo who founded Paragon Pools in 2001 is celebrating the companies 10th anniversary. Prior to opening Paragon Pools, Vassallo spent 13 years in the pool industry as a top executive for other pool construction companies in the Las Vegas valley. www.paragonpoolslv.com
Summerlin-RIDGES POOL CLAIMS MAGAZINE COVER AND AWARD
Paragon Pools Presented the Aqua Choice Award for the Las Vegas Project
(April 2011, Las Vegas, NV) Aqua Magazine, the business magazine for pool and spa professionals features an award winning project by Paragon Pools of Las Vegas, Nevada on the cover of the March 2011 issue. The project “Fire in the Desert”, a pool located in the prestigious Ridges custom development in Summerlin Las Vegas was presented the esteemed 2011 Aqua Choice Award- a distinction bestowed annually to only 11 winning entries. Winners receive a multi-page, editorial and photo spread in one of the publications monthly issues.
“The judges were unanimous on their selection and felt that the Paragon Pools project, “Fire in the Desert”, was perhaps the finest work in the contest,” notes Scott Webb, Executive Editor, AQUA Magazine. “It was selected as the cover of the March issue because of its stunning use of fire, water and great design in a waterscape.”
Project credits include design collaboration between Paragon Pools and Tannie Luke of Tannie’s Design Works, incorporation of Structure Studios -Pool Studio 3-D software to assist with visualization, custom fire elements by Fire by Design, and architectural photography by Mary Vail, OSG Publicist all of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Paragon Pools founder and president Joe Vassallo, CBP has designed and built numerous award winning pools in the exclusive Ridges development, in addition Vassallo is also a resident in the Ridges.
The multi-level pool features Zodiac- Jandy equipment, a Paramount PV3 cleaning system, PebbleTec interior, travertine decking, custom copper runnels, glass tile, granite countertops and granite bar stool tops.
Paragon Pools founder and president Joe Vassallo, CBP has designed and built numerous award winning pools in the exclusive Ridges development, in addition Vassallo is also a resident in the Ridges.
This is the second year in a row that Paragon Pools has claimed an Aqua Choice Award. In addition, the Las Vegas pool builder has also received numerous other accolades from Aqua Magazine including being named to the Aqua 100 Hall of Fame, after receiving the Aqua 100 award five years consecutively. Paragon Pools is the only independent builder in the state of Nevada to attain the Aqua 100 status.
An in-ground, custom residential and commercial swimming pool construction company, the Paragon Pools team are experts in new construction and renovations. The company was founded in 2001 by Joseph M. Vassallo, CBP For more information call 702.251.0500 or visit the website at www.paragonpoolslv.com
Paragon Pools Founder Joseph Vassallo, CBP Notes Many Accomplishments
(April 26, 2011, Las Vegas, NV) In 2001, a thriving economy and a longing desire to take control of his own destiny in business, Joseph Vassallo parlayed his 13 years’ experience in the pool industry to open Paragon Pools, a custom in-ground pool and spa design and construction company. Ten years later, Paragon Pools’ list of accomplishments has even surprised its founder’s expectations.Today, the family owned business is known locally as well as internationally for their innovative design concepts, industry involvement, consumer awareness, safety activism and community service.
Innovative concepts such as the signature WetFlame, combination water and fire feature was instrumental in igniting a major trend in the pool industry as well as obtaining a feature segment on HGTV.
Taking an active role in the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) was a natural step for Vassallo. “I initially became involved with the APSP because of numerous regulations being introduced at the local, state and national levels. I knew it was important to have a say in the regulations that directly impacted our industry and the consumer. In each situation, through my involvement as a representative of the APSP we were successful in developing reasonable and economical solutions that allowed the industry to prosper as well as protect the consumer.”
He currently serves on the APSP Builders Council, National Board of Directors, and the Education Committee. Vassallo was a contributor to the 3rd edition of the APSP Builders Manual- the industry’s leading technical publication. And, as a noted educator his has presented numerous higher-level seminars for international expositions.
Working side-by-side with Vassallo is his son, Joseph Jr.; both hold the state required Qualified Expert (QE) rating, as well as the APSP’s Certified Building Professional (CBP) credentials, the association’s top scholastic honors.
He shares his design expertise with consumers as well as with industry professionals. A former contributing columnist for the Las Vegas RJ – Home section, his pools and spa column ran for two years. The column resulted in Vassallo penning an award-winning, coffee table book, The Al Fresco Life: Pools, Spas, Bars & Kitchens featuring Paragon Pools’ projects across the Las Vegas valley.
Currently, he is a contributor to the international publication Waves: India’s pool, spa and bath Magazine. The inaugural issue of Waves featured a 4-page spread on the Vassallo’s and Paragon Pools showcasing the company’s award-winning cabana spa project.
His extensive credentials make him the “go to” expert for the media where he is tapped for advice and commentary on a range of issues from design trends, to safety applications, how to select a reputable contractor and the do and don’ts of remodeling.
A stalwart water safety activist, Vassallo initiated a major awareness campaign to educate the public- especially families with children on the importance of water and pool safety. In 2003, the program introduced “Float Like A Duck”, an annual free event featuring the lovable mascot Duckie. Paragon Pools partners with major supporters: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, the SNHD, the YMCA, FOX-5, KTNV TV-13 as well as other media outlets and businesses to present the program year-after-year.
The multitude of design, business and philanthropic awards that line the walls and shelves of the office remind Vassallo of the importance of delivering high quality projects to every client, as well as giving back to community.
A collection of international design awards include numerous APSP- Awards of Excellence, Pool and Spa News- Masters of Design, several Signature Pool & Spa- Design Awards, ADAS- Best Pool Award, HD Magazine- HEIDI Award, multiple GAVA awards, 2009 LV Parade of Homes – Best Pool, and two Aqua Choice Awards. Most recently, a project entitled “Fire In The Desert” earned Paragon Pools the 2011 Aqua Choice Award as well as capturing the cover of the publication’s March 2011 issue.
As for business accolades, Paragon Pools was named to the Aqua 100 Hall of Fame, after receiving the Aqua 100 award, five years consecutively, presented to Top pool industry businesses in the US. Paragon Pools is the only builder in the state of Nevada to attain the Aqua 100 status. In 2009, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce honored Vassallo Sr. as Entrepreneur of the Year. In March, Vassallo Jr was named to the 2011 InBusiness 40 Under 40. And, Paragon Pools is a finalist in the Nevada Business Magazine Family Owned Businesses 2011, with winners to be announced in May.
Vassallo’s community work with water safety, the CCSD Title 1 Homeless Education HOPE program, the Salvation Army Food Bank and other non-profits has been recognized by many entities including proclamations from the Mayor as well as and congressional citations from the state and national level. He has been presented with the Citizens of Distinction, The Jefferson Award, and the Golden Hands Service Award.
That leap of faith to open his business has presented challenges over the years, especially when the housing industry went bust, but the tenacious Vassallo met those challenges head-on, even altering the business model to accommodate an alternative client base. When the company opened ten years ago, its clients consisted of residential projects more specifically –new home construction. Since 2009, the company’s client list is a combination of residential and commercial projects with a heavy focus on remodeling and renovations of existing pools, and spas. Advanced education, experience and crucial industry contacts give Vassallo and his team the credentials and capability to take on problematic and difficult projects.
“When I look back at the last ten years I think, “Did we really accomplish all that”, exclaims Vassallo. “ But when you’re passionate about what you do, it's not difficult to share it with others. I believe that passion has been evident to our clients over the years and they have allowed our visions to become part of their lives. For that we are grateful.”