William A. Kent

Bill Kent, born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, holds a Doctorate degree in Global Business from Keiser University (2015), a Master of Business Administration degree from Xavier University (1967), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the University of Cincinnati (1964). Bill worked in Ohio for 6 years at General Electric, designing and manufacturing rocket motor components and cases, including work on attack missiles and Saturn 5 moon rocket. Bill has three grown children, all college graduates. In 1972, Bill moved with his family to South Florida area and identifying the swimming pool business as a growing industry, started a pool service company. Shortly thereafter, he bought a part ownership position in a then-fledgling wholesale distribution company in the swimming pool industry, HornerXpress®, started by Mr. Earl Horner. Earl sold his share of business to Bill in 1975. Bill was the sole owner from 1975 through 2015. In January 2016, Bill transitioned ownership of Team Horner® to the employees as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and has continued on as Chief Executive Officer. Bill has been extremely active in the industry associations, including the National Swimming Pool Foundation, the Florida Swimming Pool Association, the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and the national trade association, now called A.P.S.P., including National President in 1996.