Parker County Today April 2016 | Page 14

PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY APRIL 2016 When technology started expanding exponentially, Clark spent time learning 3D Design and brought Pulliam’s design team into a new era of pool design. He hardly knew how to turn on a computer so his efforts were greatly appreciated and propelled the company into technologically savvy territory. Clark said that “pool design has definitely evolved over the years and staying on top of continuous regulatory changes and city codes has made the permit process cumbersome in many cities.” 
 Barry Pulliam implemented construction criteria that propelled the industry.  12 “His wife, Lizz Pulliam, was a marketing guru who had networking down to a science,” Smith recalls. “She was a master at telling the Pulliam story, which lent even more credibility to the company.” In 1988, Barry was asked to join the prestigious Aquatech group, an invitation-only buying group. He served on the board during his tenure at Pulliam Pools. “He was recognized throughout the years as an industry leader who understood his business and promoted new ideas,” Smith said. Smith joined the company in 1992. In 1996, Lizz Pulliam started the first drowning prevention program in Tarrant County using the “Water Watcher” tags implemented in Orange County, California. It was called, “Be Wise, Supervise.” The program was so successful that Cook Children’s Hospital took over the program under its Safe Kids umbrella.  During Barry’s tenure, the company received numerous accolades and awards. Baylor University recognized Pulliam Pools as their Texas Family Medium-Sized Business of the Year in 2006 and inducted them into their Small Business Hall of Fame for their sixth win. Pulliam was also named Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year in 1999 and 2005, and was awarded the firstever Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Business Ethics in 2006. Pulliam is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ Rating. Pulliam Pools was named Big Business of the Year in 2008 by the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce. Pulliam was twice selected National Pool Builder of the Year by its industry peers and is the only North Texas pool company to be selected six times by Aqua Magazine as one of the Top 100 Swimming Pool Companies in the Nation, and placed in their Pool Building Hall of Fame. When Pulliam Pools turned 90 years old in 2006, the company’s then-vice president Debra Smith wanted to add a new philanthropic dimension to the company.  “My goal was to raise money to help local and state charities,” Smith said. “I felt the 90th anniversary could be a giant stepping stone in that endeavor.” Smith established the Annual Pulliam Pools Golf Tournament that year and since that time Pulliam has donated three pools for auction for the Texas Moslah Shriners Children’s Hospitals of Texas, and donated thousands of dollars from the proceeds to charities like the Careity Foundation, Center of Hope, CASA, the Weatherford College Foundation, Zonta Scholarships, Grace House Ministries, the Freedom House, to name a few. Smith is always looking for ways to help children. “With the help of Continued on page 15