Southern Pool Designs was founded in November 1997, when John Kirkland left the Army National Guard to pursue his passion for building pools. He bet everything on this vision and built the company from the ground up, one backyard at a time.

From the first infinity-edge shell he shaped by hand to the natural grottos and lazy rivers we craft today, John has led with the eye of a designer and the pride of a true craftsman. His high standards set the tone for everything we do.

Over the years, he’s taught and mentored every team member around him. His hands-on experience and commitment to quality have shaped not only the pools we build but the people who build them.

And yes, his design skills are still sharp. John won a 2025 FSPA Design Award, proving the guy still has it.

That commitment has earned us an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, as well as active memberships in the Florida Swimming Pool Association and the Greater Orlando Builders Association.

In 2025, Austen Ebenger joined John as managing partner, bringing fresh energy and a bold vision to Southern Pool Designs. A graduate of the Wharton School with a full-ride MBA from NYU, Austen built his career in private equity, learning from top investors and operators. But ownership was always the goal. He knew he wanted to build something of his own — and do it differently.

Austen brings a systems-driven mindset, a customer-first approach, and a mission to raise the bar in the pool industry. He’s focused on delivering quality, communication, and reliability at a level most clients haven’t seen, but deserve. With real-time dashboards, smarter scheduling, and clear processes, he’s making the construction journey feel seamless from start to finish.

John continues to lead from the field, visiting job sites daily, guiding crews, and sketching concepts by hand. His experience, instincts, and craftsmanship still shape every pool we build. Austen runs the backend, streamlining operations and ensuring every promise made in a design meeting is delivered on time and on budget.

Together, they lead a team that’s unapologetically obsessed with the customer. We may not control the weather or the city’s permit queue, but we control how we show up with clarity, consistency, and care. That means proactive updates, honest answers, and a build experience that earns trust at every step.

With nearly 30 years of craftsmanship and now two generations of leadership, Southern Pool Designs is setting a new standard for luxury pools in Florida and changing what homeowners expect from their builder.