Right in time for May’s Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day Weekend, America’s Swimming Pool Company the nation’s leading swimming pool service franchise, launched the 2017 America’s Swimming Pool Company Veteran Program and announced Brad Baglio as the 2016 winner. Baglio was awarded the newest America’s Swimming Pool Company franchise in Bell County, TX.  It serves Temple, Killeen, Belton, and other locations in the area, with complete swimming pool maintenance, repairs, and renovations.

Baglio, an Army veteran, competed against dozens of other military veterans nationwide to win the 2016 ASP Veteran Program.  He became the 17thveteran to join the ASP franchise family when he launched his Bell County, TX location on May 15th.  As the winner of the 2016 ASP Veteran Program, Baglio’s franchise fee was waived by the ASP corporate office.   His award, based on location, amounted to $65,000.

America’s Swimming Pool Company, headquartered in Macon, Ga., is proud to honor and reward deserving veterans.   According to Stewart Vernon, the CEO/Founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company, ASP’s franchise development team targets veteran franchise candidates because they possess unique skill sets that make them a perfect fit as a ASP franchise owners.

“We have franchise owners from just about every branch of the military,” said Vernon. “Since franchising ASP in 2005, we have discovered that military members, like Brad, are accountable multi-taskers who thrive when following a proven plan.  Our veteran franchisees tell us they love service-based franchise models, like ours at ASP, because they have a structure in place, a set of rules to follow, and a need to fulfill a duty – just like the military.   We are confident veterans will thrive with ASP because they are willing to embrace an established franchise model and have supreme confidence in their ability to accomplish any goal set before them.”

Jef Flournoy, Vice President of Sales and Development at ASP Franchising, echoes Vernon’s sentiments and says the company is excited to launch the 2017 ASP Veteran Program – which will be open to all military veterans until Veterans Day (November 11, 2017).

“At America’s Swimming Pool Company, the Veteran Program is our way of thanking veterans for their service to this country, while providing one qualified veteran per year with the solid support they need to start their own business,” said Flournoy.  “Veterans make outstanding ASP franchisees due to their commitment, trustworthiness, and unmatched determination to succeed.   Therefore, in addition to our annual Veteran Program, we offer 15% off the franchise fee to any qualified US military veteran who becomes an ASP franchisee.  We look forward to helping countless veterans realize their dream of business ownership by becoming an ASP franchise owner in 2017.”

For Brad Baglio, coming back to Bell County, and Central Texas is a homecoming with exciting business potential.

“My wife and I have many ties to the Bell County area,” said Baglio.  “Our son was born here when we lived here 10 years ago and we have great friends who are welcoming us back.  It has always been our heart’s desire to return to Bell County. There is nothing like America’s Swimming Pool Company in the area, and I can’t wait to get started showing people the ASP difference.”

“It is an honor to be a part of a franchise family that supports military veterans.  Being selected as the veteran program winner is a dream come true! This opportunity is opening doors for me to build a business that I am passionate about.”