Team

Our team is CPO certified, and training is ongoing. Our staff is always on top of the latest advances in pool design and construction.

Partner & President, Ben Winter:

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 Greenville, SC and are expecting their first baby in the new year. When he isn’t building pools he enjoys spending time with Kayley travelling, boating, fishing & exploring the outdoors.

Partner & Chief of Business Development Justin:

Justin spent 20 years as the founder and president of a Canadian corporation that specialized in the manufacturing of lifting and safety equipment. After selling the business in 1997, he was requested to remain with the company through 2003 to assure a smooth transition. Planning for the future, Justin & Beth purchased a property in The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards® on beautiful Lake Keowee, South Carolina. They were introduced to the upstate South Carolina area in the late 1990’s by colleagues from Greenville, and immediately fell in love. The quality development, lifestyle, majestic mountains, crystal clear lakes, southern hospitality and mild, year-round weather enticed them. With every visit they made from the Toronto area – especially during winter months – they knew they would relocate and spend the rest of their lives in this very special place. Justin’s first business was built around the principle of uncompromising customer service and relationships. With a sales and marketing background, Justin understands the importance of exceeding customer’s expectations and building confidence through trust, education and knowledge. At the helm of the top performing real estate brokerage in the upstate for the last decade; Justin is aptly aware of the trends affecting home & pool projects and is our advocate for producing designs that will remain in style for decades.

Partner & Chief Technical Adviser Philip Still:

Phil Attended South Ga. Junior College and Ga. Southern University. where he played baseball for three years and earned a B.S. and M.A. in Recreation Administration/Public Administration. After graduation, Phil worked four years for Arneson Products (Pool equipment manufacturer) and two years for Atlas Engineering (Equipment Distributor). In 1984, Phil started Olympic Atlanta Pools where he built pools for many CEO’s and upper level management of Fortune 500 Companies. There, he pioneered techniques and methods for roof top construction pool projects; many of which have been adopted around the globe. Phil was one of two contractors to build the pool for the 1996 Olympic Games at Georgia Tech.

In 1994, Phil Started Olympic Pool Plastering and Shotcrete, which grew into the largest pool plastering/ shotcrete company on the east coast. He was the only authorized PebbleTec installer for Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Phil holds a Commercial Contractor License in Georgia and South Carolina, was a featured Speaker at the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) national convention, and has won the Gold Medal Award for Pool of the Year category at the National Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. Phil also c haired the panel to modify and adopt the International Pool and Spa Code for the State of Georgia.

Matt Hickson, Project Manager:  

Matt has recently joined our team as a project manager after a long career in the motorsports industry. Matt comes to us with over 15 years experience from the top racing suspension company in the world. From a career where every millimeter and millisecond counts for success, Matt carries over his skills in absolute precision and team communication to assist in bringing our projects through to completion. Matt enjoys saltwater fishing, smoking briskets, fast cars and spending time with family and friends. He and his wife Trisha live close by in Liberty with their big dog Gus!