The J. Tortorella Team

At J. Tortorella, your pool is backed by the design and construction resources of 150 dedicated professionals with exceptional skills who share a common mission: to surpass your expectations with creativity and innovation… to offer the utmost in professionalism, reliability and knowledge… and to build a lasting relationship based on superior service. These professionals are led by John Tortorella and his management team. Here are some of them.

Sales and Construction Division

 

Angelo J. Rizzi

Director of Construction Operations

Angelo has over 15 years' experience in the construction industry. As a part of the Construction Division of J. Tortorella Swimming Pools, Angelo has overall responsibility for sales, project management and operations. During his 8 years with the company, he has managed the construction of numerous gunite pool projects, ranging from commercial to residential in various environments throughout Long Island. Keeping our clients' needs in mind, Angelo works very closely with builders, architects and homeowners to manage projects in the most efficient way possible, meeting the goals of all involved.

Angelo holds a Masters Certificate in Concrete Construction Management and has multiple certifications pertaining to construction.

Mostafa Mahmoud

Senior Associate Director – Sales/Project Management

Mostafa brings close to 20 years of field experience with J. Tortorella Swimming Pools to his role as Senior Associate Director. Over the years, he has gained intricate knowledge of masonry, plumbing, hydraulics, project management and service. This experience allows Mostafa to assist all clients in making the best, most informed decisions to create the backyard oasis of their dreams.

Born and raised in Egypt, Mostafa initially began his career in Spain, which brings a unique perspective to J. Tortorella pool design and construction.

John O'Keefe

Senior Associate Director – Logistics and Operations

With more than 25 years' construction industry experience, John's hands-on expertise makes him an integral part of the J. Tortorella team – both on and off the job site. He joined J. Tortorella in 1999. Over the years, John's strengths in methodically and efficiently working through all on-site challenges as they arose opened the door to his current position on the Tortorella team. His attention to detail is key as he leads the excavation department, works closely with the field employees and oversees all new construction layouts.

Justin J. Tortorella

Associate Director – Sales/Project Management

Quality pool design and construction is in Justin's "blood" and it shows in the attention to detail and customer focus he brings to each project. A "veteran" of the business – having worked here when not in school since he was 14 – Justin joined the company full time in Summer 2008, following his graduation from the University of Delaware where he majored in International Business Management.

John Barrie

Associate Director – Sales/Project Management

Known for his drive, enthusiasm and attention to detail, John joined our team full-time in 2007, after graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He quickly excelled at selling and managing our renovation and repair projects. John holds a bachelors degree in financial services management with concentrations in real estate and management as well as an associate degree in entrepreneurship.

Kristine DeFlorio

Associate Director – Quality Assurance

As Quality Control Manager of our construction division, Kristine helps ensure that every J. Tortorella pool adheres to our exacting specifications – and exceeds our client's expectations. Kristine has been an employee here for more than 20 years and previously served as the manager of our Service Division after starting with us as a pool service professional. She is a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and has completed Tech2 training for chemicalization and pool service.

Joseph M. Tortorella

Director of AutoChem, Serafina & Fleet Operations, Acquisitions

A valued member of the J. Tortorella team, some of Joseph's most notable contributions include: the establishment of an in-house Fleet Maintenance Program that accommodates our business needs; assisting in the design of AutoChem's unique bulk chlorine tanker trucks, expanding our delivery area to include Suffolk, Nassau and Queens, and creating Serafina Industries, LTD. To support this business, Joseph and John Tortorella designed an advanced volumetric concrete truck that mixes all types of concrete, shotcrete and mortar mixes at the job site with precision control.

Joseph is affiliated with ACI Committee 506 for Shotcrete, ACI Certified Trainer, Certified Pool Operator (CPO), NYS DOT Inspector, and Board of American Shotcrete Association. Joseph also holds a CDL Class A w/Haz-Mat license.

Theresa A. Tortorella

Director of Employee Welfare and Payroll

As co-owner of J. Tortorella Custom Gunite Swimming Pools in 1981, Theresa established the internal framework for the growing company, which now ranks as an industry leader in the Long Island and the Greater New York area. Theresa oversees the performance of all Human Resources functions, including payroll, benefits and retirement savings. Married to John Tortorella, Theresa and John have three sons Jonathan, Jason and Justin who all reside in Southampton, NY.

Barbara S. Rizzi

Chief Financial Officer

Barbara provides strategic direction as well as financial and operational oversight for all divisions of the J. Tortorella Group. Barbara is a Certified Public Accountant whose career has included several years with Long Island accounting powerhouse Holtz Rubenstein. Prior to her extensive work experience at Holtz Rubenstein she was a team member in Computer Associates' Treasury Department for two years. Her intricate knowledge of finance has enabled J. Tortorella Group to be nimble and expand on great ideas such as the launching of SunStream USA, Serafina Industries, the delivery of propane from our Heating and Gas division as well as the ribbon-cutting for our own in-house training facility.

Service and Heating Division

Kenneth Troyan

Director of Hampton Bays Operations

Ken supervises the daily operations of three J. Tortorella flagship companies: J. Tortorella Swimming Pools Service and Maintenance, Inc., J. Tortorella Heating & Gas and Accents Backyard Essentials by J. Tortorella, all headquartered in our Hampton Bays location. Prior to being promoted to his current position as Director in 1995, Ken coordinated the opening of our retail store Accents and served as Retail Manager as well as Service Manager for J. Tortorella Pools. Ken joined the J. Tortorella group in 1990 after graduating from Syracuse University with a marketing and MIS degree.

Bill Gaias

Associate Director – Service Division

Bill's desire to go above and beyond for our clients and to strengthen our reputation as the East End's premier pool and spa service company is key to his role as the manager of our service department. A professional with more than 13 years of swimming pool plumbing and repair experience, Bill holds several APSP certifications including CPO, Tech1 & Tech2 as well as an Associate degree in Business Administration from Suffolk Community College.

Gail Heinzerling

Training Coordinator

Gail brings a unique blend of pool industry knowledge and corporate training to her role as Training Coordinator at J. Tortorella, where she facilitates the development of new training courses for our state-of-the-art training center and oversees the ongoing training and certification of all employees.

Prior to joining the management team, Gail was the Director of Concept and Product Development for a FORTUNE 500 company, as well as a multi-unit manager for a major national retail chain where she opened two regional training centers on Long Island, training both hourly and management employees and attaining the title of Master Learning Coach. She holds a masters degree in Business Administration, a bachelors degree in art education and is certified in pool water chemistry.

Jason Tortorella

Service Field Manager

Jason’s managerial and technical skills make him a valuable asset to the J. Tortorella team. He demonstrates quick decision making and outstanding follow-through in his day-to-day managerial duties, while his knowledge as a certified Technical Diver and Instructor are frequently called upon for leak detection and algae treatment. Jason gained that knowledge during two years with Salvage Diving, which he joined after graduating from Seton Hall University. A Certified Pool Operator, he re-joined the family business in 2008 as a Quality Control technician.

Erik Yanez

Service Field Manager

Erik brings both in-depth knowledge and solid hands-on experience to his position as a service field manager at J. Tortorella Pools, where he is responsible for ensuring that his team of technicians provides superior service to our clients. A Certified Pool Operator who holds his Tech 1 and Tech 2 certifications, Erik joined our company in 2008. He also holds a bachelors degree in international relations and a masters degree in international marketing from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

Kevin Murphy

Service Field Manager

Known for his an unwavering dedication to client satisfaction and drive to exceed their expectations, Kevin skillfully leads his team of service technicians by example. He brings more than eight years experience in the service industry as well as Certified Pool Operator and HazMat certifications to his position at J. Tortorella, which he joined in 2007. He graduated with honors from the University at Albany with a bachelors degree in business administration.

Robert Fischer

Service Field Manager

With more than a decade of experience in the swimming pool industry, Bob is well qualified for his managerial role at J. Tortorella Pools, where he helps to ensure that our technicians provide outstanding service to our customers. While he is still working on his bachelors degree in psychology at Stony Brook University, Bob currently holds his Certified Pool Operator (CPO) designation and CDL-B with HAZMAT certification and X endorsement, as well as an associate degree in psychology from Stony Brook.

Robert Tryon

Service Field Manager

Bob’s extensive expertise in all facets of residential and commercial pool and stamped concrete construction gives him a well-rounded, in-depth perspective that’s invaluable to his J. Tortorella customer service team. Bob, who joined our staff in 2009, has spent the last five years in sales and service after working in pool construction for three years, specializing in electrical, residential and commercial upgrades. He holds a bachelors degree in business administration from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania.