Meet The Experts
The Team Behind Our Exceptional Craftsmanship
our leadership team
At Keowee Pools, our team is built on a foundation of diverse expertise and a shared commitment to excellence. With decades of experience spanning industries like engineering, manufacturing, real estate, and high-end construction, we bring unparalleled precision, creativity, and customer service to every project. From expertly designing and building custom pools and spas to managing every detail with care, our team’s deep knowledge ensures your vision is brought to life with the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. When you partner with Keowee Pools, you’re working with seasoned professionals dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience from start to finish.
Benjamin J. Winter
Partner & President
Ben graduated with honors from Clemson University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2013. Upon graduation, Ben was selected for the US Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Accession program and began his military training at Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. Ben commissioned as a submarine officer in 2014 and then successfully completed the US Navy’s Dive School. Ben served on the USS GEORGIA for 3 years as the Main Propulsion Assistant, Quality Assurance Officer, Damage Control Assistant, Strike Officer and Diving Officer. After 3 overseas deployments, Ben took orders to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO in Little Creek, VA. Ben completed a 3 year tour as the Hull Officer in Charge of the first Dry Combat Submersible and qualified as one of the first pilots in Naval history. After 9 years in the Navy, Ben moved back to his hometown in upstate South Carolina and founded Keowee Pools, LLC with his father and Phil Still. Ben is a graduate of Fluidra’s Pro Academy and holds an MBA Certificate from the University of Illinois Geiss College of Business.
Ben and his wife, Kayley, live in Pickens, SC with their daughter Adeline and have another baby on the way. When he isn’t building pools, he enjoys spending time with his family travelling, piloting aircraft, boating, fishing & exploring the outdoors.
Justin Winter
Partner & Chief of Business Development
Justin spent 20 years as the founder and president of a Canadian company specializing in lifting and safety equipment manufacturing. After selling the business in 1997, he stayed on through 2003 to ensure a smooth transition. Planning ahead, Justin and his wife Beth purchased property at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards®, drawn to the region’s lifestyle, natural beauty, and mild climate.
With over a decade at the helm of one of the top-performing real estate brokerages in Upstate South Carolina, Justin Winter & Associates, Justin has a deep understanding of home and pool trends. His focus on exceptional customer service and relationship-building ensures that every design meets the highest standards and remains timeless. His experience and vision are key in helping Keowee Pools exceed client expectations.
Philip Still
Partner & Chief technical advisor
Phil holds a B.S. and M.A. in Recreation/Public Administration from Georgia Southern University, where he also played baseball. He began his career working for Arneson Products and Atlas Engineering, gaining valuable experience in pool equipment manufacturing and distribution. In 1984, Phil founded Olympic Atlanta Pools, where he built high-end pools for Fortune 500 executives and developed cutting-edge rooftop construction techniques now used globally. He was also one of only two contractors selected to build the pool for the 1996 Olympic Games at Georgia Tech.
In 1994, Phil founded Olympic Pool Plastering and Shotcrete, which grew into the largest pool plastering company on the East Coast. He became the sole authorized PebbleTec installer for Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. His expertise spans large-scale commercial and luxury residential pool projects, and his work has won the Gold Medal for Pool of the Year. As a recognized industry leader, Phil has chaired the panel to update the International Pool and Spa Code for Georgia and has spoken at national industry conventions.
Matthew Hickson
Chief Operating Officer
Matt comes to us from a long career in the motorsports industry. Matt worked as a Race Technician for Ohlins suspension for the better part of 15 years. Along with traveling the country with top factory race teams, Matt also spent lots of time in product development for brands such as Harley Davidson and Indian motorcycles. Matt also served as a teacher for Ohlins in house training facility to assist other individuals in earning their Master Tech certifications for Ducati North America. In 2019, Matt began working for a German parts supplier Wunderlich America where he wore many hats from PR and Marketing to custom fabrication and restoring vintage BMW motorcycles to period correct, museum quality condition.
Matt joined Keowee Pools in 2022 and has since completed several courses through the Fluidra Pro Academy. He brings expert mechanical experience as well as detailed organization to the company. Matt thrives in trouble shooting and task organization to bring our projects to the finish line as efficiently as possible.
Matt still enjoys his garage projects in his free time along with fishing, golfing and spending time with his wife Trisha and their dog Gus.
Clayton Chester
Regional Manager
Upon the birth of his son, Clayton T. Chester II, Clay and his family moved back to Spartanburg, SC to start a business constructing vinyl-liner swimming pools. He earned his General Contractor’s License with a Swimming Pool Specialty in 2023, and has attended the Pentair Builder’s Courses as well as the Fluidra Pro Academy. He parlayed his experience in building pools into his new role as our Regional Manager over Greenville and Spartanburg counties, which he started in January 2024.
In his off-time, Clay enjoys spending time with his wife, Kirsten, and son, Thomas. He is a habitual attendee of Clemson Football games, loves to play golf, fly airplanes, SCUBA dive, hunt, fish and any activity outside.
Wes Newton
Project Manager
