Parker County Today April 2016 | Page 9

PULLIAM POOLS Debra Smith with her Family Partner Mike Clark Pulliam Pools Co-Owner Debra Smith with her Family Granddaughter Sophia (5), Debra’s Husband, Tom, Reva, and Genny, Celebrate a Century of Making Waves in an Ever-Changing Industry Photos By Megan Parks own new company.  “That would have been bad for the employees because we would have had to start out small,” Smith said. “It would have been bad for Pulliam’s customers because they wouldn’t have someone to take care of their warrantees.” The partners have a plan in place to groom the next generation of Pulliam Pools partners. PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY Debra Smith and Mike Clark have owned Pulliam Pools since 2009, but each were already key members of the company’s management team and had been for a number of years. “I had been running the company for a long time,” Debra Smith said. “I’ve now been there for 24 years. I always felt really strongly that I would own it one day. I already felt like it was my baby because I gave it my all. I loved the employees, just like family. My partner, Mike Clark, oversees construction and our larger projects. We felt like if we bought the company and it continued under the same management it would continue to be a good place to work.”
Smith and Clark had the option of buying Pulliam Pools or establishing their APRIL 2016 By MARSHA BROWN

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