Ninety Years!

Fortunately, our history is well chronicled. Here is a section from our web site. 

A company built on values

When Frank Geremia Sr. immigrated to California in 1915, he did so with a vision of building a company of unsurpassed quality. By 1922, he formed Angelo and Frank, a business partnership in cement contracting. You can still see the Angelo & Frank stamp on concrete curbs in downtown Sacramento. In 1949 when Angelo retired, the company became known as F. Geremia & Sons. In 1970 , the building of the Chinatown Gate that overlooks the Chinatown Mall in downtown Sacramento was one of their most profiled construction jobs. This construction business provided the foundation that flourishes today in the hands of third and fourth generation Geremia pool builders. With family roots in Venice, Italy, you might say the Geremia family has "water in their veins."  

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The early years

The business diversified into swimming pools in 1937 and eventually became the most prominent pool builder in the Sacramento Valley. The first pool was an above-ground combined water-reservoir and swimming pool on Spanish Ranch in Pleasant Grove. 

Chinatown Mall

Cal-Expo Moats

The transition to the next generation started when Frank passed the torch to his eldest son Gene. Shortly thereafter Gene's brother Robert (Bob) joined what was then called F. Geremia & Sons. Then in 1949 Anthony (Tony), another brother, joined upon graduating from the University of the Pacific -finished on a Friday and started that Monday. It was a small company at the time with only six to eight people working hard to develop the business. Ten years later, Frank Jr. graduated from Notre Dame turning away a football career to join the company, which had then diversified into a concrete, engineering and swimming pool construction company. Frank was shoveling sand into the gunite machine within a week of graduation.

F. Geremia & Sons grew by building such landmark projects in the Sacramento area as the Chinatown Mall that links Down Town Plaza to Old Sacramento. They also built the South Land Park Pumping Plant, the canals that meander throughout the central part of Cal Expo, the fountain at Cal Expo, and the multi-level concrete steps that lead to the exposition buildings. The company built the sewer and drain system for Orangevale and parts of Citrus Heights. They worked with other contractors too, doing all of the concrete work in the construction of St. Mary’s Church in East Sacramento.

Over the years the commitment to “Quality without Compromise” along with good customer service and superb construction techniques became the company hallmark. With society becoming more affluent, the back yard swimming pool became a reality for more and more families. By the early 1960’s, the sons developed Geremia Pools, Inc. into the foremost pool company in the Sacramento Valley.

When commercial swimming pools became a popular feature in schools, sports clubs,apartments, and hotels, Geremia Pools, Inc. became the builder of choice. Early commercial projects included the swimming pool at California State University, Sacramento, most of the local high school swimming pools and the Clunie Pool at McKinley Park in East Sacramento. Today they continue to be the contractor’s choice, building commercial pools for major hotel chains, schools, and sports clubs.

In 1962, Geremia Pools, Inc. was a founding member of the Master Pools Guild—a group of top swimming pool builders across the United States that shared professional business and technical ideas in order to better meet the challenges of the growing swimming pool market place.

Gene	Tony	Bob	Frank Jr.

Third and fourth generation

Each generation has learned the business from the bottom up, working with the crews during school summer vacations. It has been no different for the third and fourth generations. They joined to fully embrace the family business that has been such a part of their lives. No longer a small company, each family member who has joined the company has specialized in a different area of expertise—from construction, service, sales, administration, and management—all committed to the ultimate goal of building a quality swimming pool and providing excellent customer service.

Today, Mike Geremia is president of Geremia Pools Inc. He oversees the swimming pool design team and the office staff that is made up of some family members along with committed long-term employees. Robbie Geremia runs the construction end of the business managing all of the in-house construction crews and dedicated area supervisors. Cathy Del Chiaro (Geremia) and Patty Roth (Geremia) manage the Service Department. Marc Del Chiaro, Katie Roth, and Brian Geremia represent the fourth generation.

Robbie & Mike Geremia

“It works because everyone has put in their dues and has worked up through the organization” says Mike Geremia. “We are all proud of our heritage and have an undisputed commitment to quality, and customer service that make us all work so well together and earned us an unparalleled reputation for dependability and quality within the greater Sacramento region."

Already Three Weeks at Geremia Pools

Marc Del Chiaro, Brandon Koch, Jean-Michel Richard, Robbie Geremia

Hello readers, this is Jean-Michel, the Geremia's relative from France.

I have already spent three weeks at the company and I would like to share my experience with you. My favorite part of the job is creating the best strategy for selling products online with Brian, Marc, and Scott. This Monday, we received a new counter for the store in the showroom and we are organizing the display.

The two weeks since my first article have permitted me to know and appreciate each member of my family; every day I am happy to wake up because I know that I will see my family and work in a warm atmosphere. As the weeks pass, I am more self-confident. I am in charge of more and more important tasks and I like this evolution.

I try to talk with some customers to improve my English and because I like to be in relation to people in general. Sometimes, the family asks my opinion about shop organization or asks to hear my opinion about the company system. I am happy when I can propose some improvements.

A new Geremia at Geremia Pools!

Geremia Pools is happy to welcome Jean-Michel Richard to Sacramento; Jean-Michel is a Geremia relative from France and this is his first trip to the United States! He will intern with us for the summer, helping with various tasks around the office. 

Jean-Michel will share reflections on his internship as a way to improve his English -- he is doing very well!

L to R: Brian Geremia, Mike Geremia, Scott Geremia, Jean-Michel Richard, Cathy Del Chiaro (Geremia), Patty Roth (Geremia), Marc Del Chiaro, Katie Roth  

Jean-Michel

I will introduce myself: my name is Jean-Michel; I am visiting to learn about my family’s business from France. I arrived last Tuesday as part of an intership for my family company with the desire to work well. I was warmly welcomed; they introduced me to all of the employees and showed me the differents parts of the building and the warehouse. I began working the same day by cleaning swimming pool filters and sending packages to online customers. My tasks are simple but useful for the company. Each morning, I am very glad to go to work because I can see my family and improve my English.

Geremia Pools - Designer Profile

We are thankful for our talented designers! 

Today, a conversation with...

Wanda Campbell

What is your professional background?

My background consists mostly of sales; I started out as a manufacturer sales rep with a really strong customer service practice and later worked into design and landscaping for swimming pools and construction. Initially, I went to a local community college for landscape design, ultimately finding my way into construction and swimming pool design.

What sparked your interest in pools?

I had a friend who was designing and selling pools and after taking the classes for landscape design, I realized that there were already plenty of landscapers out there. I figured a pool designer with landscape experience would fend well when selling a potential customer on the big picture of their backyard. So, I decided upon pools to strategically expand my horizons and to do something that I enjoy – being creative through designing and drawing.

What do you consider your expertise?

I consider my expertise to be the ability to take the customer’s desires and wishes and create a design that addresses both function and aesthetic. It is always a pleasure when a couple is involved to meet both of their expectations adequately.  Additionally, with my landscape background I am strong when it comes to balancing the spatial relationship between the softscape and the hardscape.

Are there any consumer trends in the pool industry?

There are trends when it comes to pool style. Customers either want a rectangular pool that is formal or a more free form, natural design with boulders and rockwork. There are also trends when it comes to concrete and decking; stamped concrete, for instance, was very popular at one time. So, there are trends like that in the pool industry but ultimately it comes down to personal taste. These days people are gravitating toward water features. There isn’t necessarily a leaning toward a specific type of pool, but they realize that water features can be beneficial and soothing.

What is your design style/aesthetic?

I really don’t have a specific style. It is very mixed because I am constantly running into people with different tastes, so I am able to accommodate multiple tastes.

What are some important things for buyers to consider?

Some important things for customers to think about are how they plan going to use the pool and how it will function. There are many factors: size, shape, depth, width, decking, safety, traffic flow, etc.  A lot of people have lived in the home long enough to realize how they use the space and how they’d like to use the space. Of course, budget is important, taking into account ongoing operating expenses and maintenance costs. When choosing specific components, it is very important to consider the value of what they are building and the longevity of each piece.  

Are there things about swimming pools that buyers do not realize?

Buyers often do not realize that a pool is not a pool is not a pool. It is easy to think of a pool as a singular product, but it is really a very dynamic product with many choices that influence the quality of the final pool. Quality construction by Geremia means lasting and real value for your dollar. A realtor will even advertise a house with a Geremia pool if we built it; otherwise, it is just a house with a pool.

What is a lesson you have learned?

The best lesson I’ve learned over the years is that you really do get what you pay for. Quite often I talk to people who regret going with the lowest bid – I feel bad for them. Even in my own life I find it is important to shop for quality, not price. There are a lot of clever sales people out there and homeowners open their doors to people thinking and wanting to believe they will all tell the truth. But I find that many homeowners are being told what it takes to make the sale. This is a big purchase and you need to do your homework when choosing a company.

Why should someone choose Geremia Pools, even if the bid is often more expensive than others?

When I am talking to people about Geremia Pools, I mention that we have a strong reputation within the industry and it comes from doing quality work, charging a fair price for the work and following up to make sure people are happy with what they have purchased. In our industry there are a lot of differences in the way things are built. It has to do with the company making very intentional choices about construction and Geremia is consistent in their goal and mission for quality construction. In addition to using the best materials and employing highly qualified workers, in my 14 years with the company I have learned they are very fair and adaptable when dealing with issues during and after construction.

What is an example of a conscious construction choice?

There are many examples, but I have seen pictures of work where the plumbing is undersized or there are too many bends which effects efficiency and water flow. The quality of the gunite shot into the pool also has a big impact on the structural integrity of the pool. A lot of companies try to sell the quality of the steel over the gunite, but it is the structure of the concrete that needs to hold up over time. Each step of a project can create a better product and each time Geremia chooses the best. As with any type of construction, if there is attention to detail, you are going to realize a better product.

Have there been any major industry changes over time?

The most notable change within the industry is that equipment is becoming more energy efficient, whether it has to do with pumps and motors or items that are available for keeping the water clean, balanced and pure. Geremia has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to applying efficient, effective technology to the swimming pool. We are part of the Master Pools Guild, which recognizes top pool builders in different regions throughout the world. There is a lot of testing that goes on with equipment within the industry and we don’t bring it on until it is tried and true and until there is a manufacturer’s product that has proven to be the best. Installing energy efficient products has a higher installation cost, but it translates to long–term savings for the customer and a vastly improved system.

What is Geremia Pools’ perspective on water quality?

Geremia focuses on using fewer chemicals to treat water and relying on sound technology instead. It started out with mineral bed cartridges, then salt generators, then ozone creators. Now, in efforts to use as little chlorine as possible, we have shifted to UV technology, which is what water treatment centers use to clean water. It is the only technology that kills bacteria and viruses.

What has your experience been like when talking to customers about GeoSmart?

Interest in GeoSmart is very high. I get the impression that when it is time to replace heating and air units, this is the way people want to go. So, it is just a matter of timing and finding someone who is interested and in a position to change out their equipment. In the installations we have done we have been able to realize a huge cost savings in ongoing monthly savings in utilities as well as the customer realizing a 30% tax credit for following the green-movement.

What sparks your creativity?

By the time I sit down to create a design I have spent hours with the customer, visualizing what is going to happen and it is just a matter of getting it on paper. What sparks me is the customer’s enthusiasm for the project. I find that I am able to exhibit as much enthusiasm as they do and inject that into my design.

What do you tell customers interested in Arctic Spas?

When a customer wants a spa I try to find out what they are expecting from a spa. If they are interested in the aesthetics of a water feature and having a warm place to relax, we can build an in-ground spa to go with the pools. But if they want more of a therapeutic massage option and plan to use the spa a lot, we have the ability to sell above ground portable spas. We sell Arctic Spas, which we believe are the best on the market. We have the ability to cover three categories of price ranges and offer energy efficient, well insulated, spas. We have different spas for different budgets, lifestyles and tastes.

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Chemical Matrix from E-Z Clor

Sometimes water chemistry seems like a mystery. 

This is useful matrix provided by E-Z Clor. 

Geremia Pools conducts computerized water testing to identify exactly what your pool needs and we carry these E-Z Clor products in our showroom and online. 

You can also find more information about water chemistry on the E-Z Clor website.  

Water Balance Adjustment	E-Z CLOR Product Needed
To Raise pH	pH Up
To Lower pH	pH Down
To Raise Total Alkalinity	Alkalinity Up
To Raise Calcium Hardness	Calcium Hardness Up
To Lower Calcium Hardness	See your E-Z CLOR Dealer (You can also contact G-pools!)
To Prolong the Life of Chlorine	Stabilizer

Master Pools Guild

The Master Pools Guild is a global network of elite pool builders who share building techniques and creative ideas to propel the industry forward.

For anyone considering a swimming pool, the guild's web site is a great place to gather information; visit the 'planning your poolscape' section for wonderful introductory materials, including the video below.

Geremia Pools is proud to be a member of the Master Pools Guild.