Stewart C. Vernon is the Founder and COO of ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Company, the nation’s largest swimming pool cleaning, repair, and renovation franchise system. Vernon, as the company COO, is responsible for the day to day operations of the franchise company, which include Public Relations, brand management, vendor relationships, financial planning, and strategic oversight of his staff. Vernon also serves currently as the CFO of the company.
Founded in Macon Georgia in 2002, the business was born out of the need to provide a higher quality swimming pool company to customers in Vernon’s hometown. Upon launching the business and experiencing rapid growth at the flagship location in Macon, Ga., Vernon looked for a way to expand both the business model and the ASP brand.
In 2005 ASP Franchising, Inc. was formed, and the company had its first two franchise owners in place. Vernon and his company quickly began to fill a void in the swimming pool service sector. The model for franchise expansion was built by partnering with business-minded individuals who wanted to start their own venture, needing a business road map to follow. As the franchise model expanded its training, its support, and its brand, the reach of the company expanded and the Southeast was no longer its boundary. Currently, ASP has 115 franchise partners who own and operate franchise locations in 22 states.
ASP has become a leader in the swimming pool arena, while also rising in the ranks of the national franchise spotlight. ASP’s success has been recognized by its inclusion in the rankings of Entrepreneur Magazine’s prestigious Top 500 Franchise List. Most recently, recognized again with the Entrepreneur 500 list ranking number 150 for 2021.
