“My favorite part? I was going to say the food, but I’m not sure that’s the right message.”
As an industry vet of 50 years and founder of the beloved Pool Man’s Band, Eric Christiansen is leaving behind a legacy of music, good humor and hard work as he steps into his next chapter following his retirement this year.
Christiansen began his career in the industry as early as 1968, cleaning a pool at 11 years old. After serving as territory sales manager at Pentair for 40 years and enjoying a rewarding career, he’s looking back at some of his fondest memories.
“I mean, my favorite part about this industry is without a doubt the people I get to work with,” he says. “Many of the folks I’ve met along the way have become lifelong friends. Beyond that, the customers. I’m in the third generation with several of them.”
It’s a familiar sentiment to many of us in the industry; beyond the actual work we do, it’s usually the relationships we build that hold the most weight as years go by. Some of these close relationships come in the form of the infamous Pool Man’s Band, which was Christiansen’s own creation back in 1989 after the Western Pool & Spa Show.
The beloved Pool Man’s Band even made an appearance at Christiansen’s retirement party, held on May 31, 2025
in Northern California. They played for over 200 guests, customers, friends and family in celebration of reaching the next chapter in his life.
Perhaps the most pressing question: Will Christiansen and the Pool Man’s Band continue to play? “That’s the hope,” he says. “I’d love to play music more often in the future. Retirement will be a big change to my daily routine, but I don’t think I’m going to run out of things to do anytime soon.”
“It’s a really weird deal,” he admits with a laugh. “I’ve worked since I was 11 — since I could throw a newspaper, push a lawnmower or clean a pool. To think that I finally made it...it’s a big deal.”
This article first appeared in the July 2025 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.
