Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Gohlke.
In 1953, Gene Gohlke came from Denison, where he grew up, to Denton to attend North Texas State University. In February of 1956, he went to work for Bert Moore (now deceased), owner of Moore Building Products. Moore Building Products sold masonry supplies, concrete blocks, and other building products mostly to the building trade. Mr. Moore and Gene felt the time was right to begin building residential swimming pools and formed a partnership in 1958 named Royal Pools of Denton, which would become Gohlke Pools.
In 1963, Gene bought the business and shortly thereafter opened Gohlke Pool Supply as a separate business, selling pool supplies and offering repairs and weekly cleaning service. They continued to service pools and provide supplies for the pools they had built through Moore Building Products. In 1974, Gene renamed Moore Building Products to Gene Gohlke Building Products.
In 1984, when Matt Gohlke graduated from Texas Christian University, he joined the family business working for Gohlke Pool Supply. In 1985, Matt & Gene formed a partnership, Gohlke Custom Pools, to resume pool construction. In 1992, Matt purchased Gohlke Pool Supply and the remaining 50% of Gohlke Custom Pools.
1953—Gene came to North Texas State University from Denison, Texas.
1956—Gene went to work at Moore Building Products
1957—Gene graduated from North Texas State University with a business degree and joined the business full time.
1958—Gene formed a partnership with Bert Moore to begin building pools—initially it was named Royal Pools of Denton,
1963—Gene bought Moore Building Products and was selling building materials and pool supplies.
1974—Gene changed the name to Gene Gohlke Building Products and Gohlke Pools.
1984—Matt joined the family business after graduating with a business degree from TCU, with his focus being in the pool division part of the business.
1992—Matt purchased Gohlke Pools and is still involved daily in the business.
Gene continues to own and operate Gene Gohlke Building Products.
Has it been a smooth road?
There are always challenges, but that is what keeps me motivated–trying to make things better. With the growth that we have experienced, the biggest challenge has been meeting our staffing needs while maintaining the quality that we expect to deliver.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Gohlke Pools story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a second-generation pool firm located in Denton, Texas. Gohlke Pools is a full-service company—including retail, service & repairs, renovation, pool construction, and hot tubs. I would say that we are known in the industry for having a highly trained staff, and we have received many national awards (Aqua 100 Pool Company Hall of Fame, Pool & Spa News Top 50 Pool Builder, Texas Family Small Business of the Year (2009); UNT Family Business Hall of Fame, as well as many national pool design awards.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We are in a great area with all of the grow that the north Texas area has experienced and will continue to experience. I believe that our business will continue to grow as this area grows. Pools will continue to evolve as they have over the past 10-15 years and will become even more spectacular.
Contact Info:
- Address: 909 Dallas Drive
Denton, Texas 76205 - Website: www.gohlkepools.com
- Phone: (940)384-7665
- Email: matt@gohlkepools.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/gohlke_pools/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/GohlkePools
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/gohlkepools
- Other: Gohlke Pools
Image Credit:
Gohlke Pools
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