David Mele, a Hampton Roads business leader for more than 20 years, is ready to leverage his experience to grow Virginia Beach-based Pool Scouts nationwide as its new president. Mele previously led Homes.com, where he helped grow the company into the second-largest real estate platform with 100 million unique visitors per month.
CoStar Group Inc. acquired Homes.com for $156 million in 2021.
When Pool Scouts’ founding president Michael Wagner stepped down this year, the company reached out to Mele, also a former publisher of The Virginian-Pilot, to fill the role. Mele of Virginia Beach shared why he joined the pool cleaning and maintenance franchise, part of Buzz Franchise Brands , and his vision for growing the business in emailed responses to Inside Business. Why did you join Pool Scouts under Buzz Franchise Brands? I’ve known Kevin Wilson, Buzz Franchise Brands CEO, and Brian Garrison, BFB president and chief operating officer, for years.
They are strong operators with a track record of success growing a wide range of businesses. And they have created an outstanding company culture and assembled a very talented team at Buzz Franchise Brands. I am excited about the growth opportunity at Pool Scouts.
While the brand has built a strong foundation, with more than 70 operational territories across 18 states, there is enormous opportunity still available in the $7 billion U.S. pool service and maintenance industry.
Pool Scouts offers a premium professional service in a highly.