Josh Sandler and his Team Transform Gold Medal Pools into a Powerhouse While Staying True to Their Roots

Josh Sandler didn’t grow up dreaming of building pools—in fact, he swore he never would. But life has a way of leading us back to our roots, and today, Sandler is the Owner and CEO of Gold Medal Pools, one of the industry’s most recognized names. Known for creating iconic projects like the Lazy River at Dr. Pepper Ballpark and the sleek rooftop pools at the Omni Hotel and TWELVE, Sandler has built more than just pools—he’s built a legacy. 

“A lot of people in this industry focus solely on the work, but for me, it’s about the relationships—whether it’s with our team, our clients, or the community. That’s where the real value is.”

A Childhood in Pools, but Not by Choice

Growing up in the North Dallas area, Sandler’s early life was shaped by his father. Steve, a hands-on, blue-collar worker, founded Gold Medal Pools in 1997 after decades in the industry. Josh spent his youth bouncing between divorced parents and helping out with the family business whenever needed. “If something needed to get done, you did it. That’s just how we operated,” Josh said.

But Sandler wasn’t always enthusiastic about pools. “When my friends were swimming in pools, I was working in them,” he recalled with a laugh. “I swore I’d never go into the family business.” That mindset led him to pursue business school and work for a technology incubator, where he learned how to scale companies and create value. However, those experiences eventually brought him full circle, back to pools.

Finding Passion in Familiar Territory

After college, Sandler returned to Gold Medal Pools, initially thinking it would be a temporary stop before law school. “I thought it was just a stepping stone,” he said. “But as I started working with clients and understanding the business side, I saw tremendous potential.” What began as a small operation—a passion project for his father—quickly evolved under Sandler’s leadership. Today, Gold Medal Pools employs over 200 professionals and has left its mark on the pool industry with high-profile projects like the Crystal Lagoon at Windsong Ranch and the hardscapes at Grandscape.

Sandler attributes much of the company’s success to a shift in his perspective. “At first, I saw pools as just what my family did. But when I started looking at it through a professional lens, I realized how much we could elevate the industry.”

A Lesson in Balance

For years, Josh was laser-focused on growing the business, often at the expense of personal time. A pivotal moment came on his son’s first birthday. “It was a Saturday, and I went to the office like I always did,” he recalled. Unbeknownst to him, his wife had planned a surprise party with friends and family. “She called me and said, ‘I need you to come home.’ I told her I was busy and couldn’t leave work.” After a second call where she revealed the surprise, Josh rushed home, but the moment stuck with him. “It made me realize I needed to work smarter, not harder, so I could be there for my family.”

This wake-up call changed his entire life. “I couldn’t do it all on my own shoulders. I had to learn to delegate, trust my team, and create a scalable model.”

Josh’s leadership style has evolved over the years. Early in his career, he was a hard-driving perfectionist, focused on results at all costs. “I was a ‘win at all costs’ kind of guy,” he said. “But I realized that to truly lead, you have to serve.”

Through mentorship, business coaching, and tools like personality tests, Josh worked to refine his approach. “Leadership isn’t just about driving results; it’s about understanding your team and empowering them to succeed.” This philosophy extends to the company’s younger employees. “A lot of our pool cleaners are young adults. We’re not just teaching them to clean pools; we’re teaching them to be responsible, upstanding members of their communities.”

The Importance of Collaboration

For Josh, industry events like Pool Nation are vital. “This industry is so fragmented—there’s no one standard way of doing things,” he explained. “Bringing people together to share ideas and collaborate is essential. Just because something worked for decades doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.”

Josh believes that adaptability is key to staying relevant in a changing market. “With new technology, consolidation, and shifting employee dynamics, doing things the same way we always have isn’t an option. We have to evolve, or we risk becoming obsolete.”

While Josh is proud of Gold Medal Pools’ achievements, his greatest joy comes from his family. “We have kids excelling in high school, exploring sports, and looking at colleges. Watching them grow into amazing young people is the most rewarding part of my life,” he said. His son recently got his driver’s license, giving the family a “built-in chauffeur” and more flexibility to juggle their busy lives.

Josh also sees parallels between parenting and leadership. “The lessons I’ve learned raising my kids translate directly to how I run the business. It’s all about creating a foundation for growth, whether it’s for my family or my team.”

As Gold Medal Pools continues to grow, Josh is excited about scaling the service and maintenance side of the business across the country. But his focus remains on the bigger picture. “Whether it’s in business or at home, it’s about building something meaningful—something that lasts.”