Where the River Pools Story Began

It all started in 2001, when Jason Hughes, an ambitious young builder with a passion for pools, partnered with Jim Spiess to launch what was then a small pool construction company in rural Virginia. With little more than a truck and a dream, they began installing above-ground and vinyl liner pools across Northumberland and Lancaster counties. Before long, Marcus Sheridan joined the team, originally managing their modest retail store. He soon became a partner, helping expand River Pools into a powerhouse of backyard design and fiberglass pool installation.
Though Jim fully retired from the business in 2021, his contributions helped shape the company’s early success and enduring culture.

The Early Years (2001 - 2007)

From the beginning, Jim and Jason were determined to grow. They opened their first retail pool and hot tub store in Warsaw, Virginia, transforming a beat-up metal building into a vibrant showroom. With Marcus running the retail side and the team focused on installation, River Pools began gaining traction across the Northern Neck.

As their momentum grew, so did their ambitions. The team opened new locations in Tappahannock and Glen Allen, selling everything from hot tubs and pool tables to above-ground and inground pools. But they were most drawn to fiberglass pools—an innovative product offering beauty, durability, and ease of maintenance.

While Virginia was traditionally a concrete and vinyl-liner market, River Pools bet on fiberglass—and it paid off.

Reinvention Through Adversity (2008–2009)

The 2008 financial crisis hit hard. Consumer confidence plummeted, and the swimming pool industry was brought to its knees. River Pools came dangerously close to bankruptcy.

Instead of folding, the team made two bold decisions: they exited the retail business to focus exclusively on fiberglass pool installations, and they committed to building the most educational pool website in the world.

That move forever changed the company’s trajectory—and the pool industry at large.

Survive, Thrive, and Expand (2010 - Today)

The strategy worked. River Pools became a national leader in fiberglass pool education, with their blog, videos, and resources generating more traffic—and trust—than any other site in the industry.

Spa News, ranking #14 overall and landing in the top 10 for training, customer experience, and digital presence. This achievement reflected the team’s relentless dedication to craftsmanship, service, and consumer education.

That same leadership team played a pivotal role in taking the River Pools brand national, developing a network of independent dealers across the U.S. and creating a scalable model for fiberglass pool installation. Their efforts laid the foundation for the brand's expansion beyond Virginia and helped redefine how fiberglass pools are sold and installed across North America.

In 2021, the manufacturing and national network operations of River Pools were acquired by Thursday Pools, LLC, a fiberglass pool manufacturer based in Fortville, Indiana.

Today, River Pools Virginia remains independently owned and operated. We install premium fiberglass pools across the region and deliver a customer experience rooted in transparency, education, and exceptional craftsmanship.

Note: River Pools Virginia is an installer of fiberglass pools. We do not manufacture pool shells.

Meet the Owners

The leadership team at River Pools Virginia brings together decades of experience in construction, education, and customer service. Each member contributes a unique skill set that enhances our commitment to excellence.

Jason Hughes, co-founder and nationally recognized fiberglass pool installation expert, teaches advanced techniques through the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s Genesis program. His methods have become the benchmark for installers across the country.

Marcus Sheridan, also a co-founder, is the mind behind the groundbreaking They Ask, You Answer approach to marketing and sales. His book has been adopted by businesses worldwide, and his latest work, Endless Customers, has recently landed on the USA Today Bestseller list. Marcus continues to champion customer education as the cornerstone of everything we do.

Aaron Daley joined River Pools Virginia in 2021 with a deep background in construction and team leadership. His work has been featured in Arlington Magazine, and he currently serves as Vice President on the board of Special Operations Wounded Warriors. Aaron is known for building customer-first teams that deliver an unmatched installation experience.

Wes Butler, also joining in 2021, leads our project management operations. His career began in the U.S. Coast Guard and continued as a tugboat captain on the Chesapeake Bay. Now a business owner of a local hardware store, and project leader at River Pools Virginia, Wes is known for keeping projects on track and customers fully informed and cared for.

Cristian Shirilla joined River Pools Virginia in 2021 and serves full-time on the leadership team of River Pools’ national manufacturing brand. Since 2017, he’s led brand strategy and launched the River Pools YouTube channel, home to the popular Two Minutes in the Pool video series. Cristian’s 13 years with the YMCA as a director and program developer continue to shape his approach to customer education and service.