About Texas Innovative Pools

Learn why we do what we do

Building a Legacy of Integrity

At Texas Innovative Pools, we believe a pool is more than just water—it is a significant investment in your home and your family’s future. Founded by Paul and Leah Hughes, our company is built on the principle that luxury should never compromise structural integrity. We believe every pool must be more than visually stunning – it should be built with uncompromising quality and craftsmanship.

With over 38 years of expertise in structural concrete and steel, combined with our PHTA education and certifications, we infuse engineering excellence into every project we construct. We lead with integrity to ensure your pool survives the unique challenges of the Texas climate.

OUR MISSION

To provide a true start-to-finish expert experience that exceeds industry standards through professional certification and engineering mastery.

WHO WE ARE

We are owners, designers, and builders dedicated to high-quality products and a seamless, integrated experience for every Texas family.

CORE VALUES

Integrity in every pour, transparency in every quote, and “Texas Tough” durability in every build.

How it Started

Paul Hughes spent decades mastering the complexities of structural steel and concrete, developing an uncompromising eye for precision and stability. He recognized a critical gap in the industry: too many builders focused on the surface-level beauty of a pool while neglecting the engineering required to stand the test of time. Driven by a mission to do things the right way, he founded Texas Innovative Pools on a simple but powerful premise—prioritizing what is beneath the water as much as the aesthetics above it.

How We Grew

By refusing to accept the “industry standard” of cutting corners, the company quickly built a reputation for reliability in two of the most geologically challenging regions of the state. We evolved from a local operation into a regional leader by investing in professional education and assembling a PHTA-certified team of project managers. This commitment to excellence allowed us to scale without losing our personal touch, leading to the creation of dedicated divisions specifically tailored to the rocky terrain of the Austin/Hill Country and the expansive soils of the Houston/Tomball areas.

Where We Are Now

Today, Texas Innovative Pools stands as a premier, family-owned and operated builder with over 630 custom projects completed. As we’ve grown, we’ve evolved into a multi-level corporation—expanding our capabilities, our team, and our reach—while staying true to the family-driven values that built our reputation. Paul and Leah Hughes remain deeply involved in the details of every project, and with our son, Tyler Hughes, stepping into a leadership role, we are shaping a multigenerational future for the company. Our extended family—the Herrmann’s, part of Leah’s immediate family—lead our Houston/Tomball location with the same commitment to excellence, strengthening the foundation of who we are. We don’t just see ourselves as contractors, but as your neighbors, dedicated to elevating the standard for Texas pool builders and creating backyards that become lasting legacies.

What You Can Expect Working With Us

INITIAL CONSULTATION

We start with our innovative 3D design consultation to establish a clear vision and upfront pricing without hidden costs.

PLANNING & DESIGN

Once we confirm the vision, our experts assess your specific terrain to ensure a "Texas Tough" structural plan tailored to your property.

INSTALLATION & WALKTHROUGH

From the first dig to the final walk-through, our owners and certified team remain personally involved to ensure uncompromising craftsmanship.

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Ready to create your perfect outdoor living space?

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Paul Hughes

CEO & Founder

Paul’s love for the Lone Star State runs deep, and nothing brings him more pride than transforming ranches and backyards across Texas into stunning outdoor retreats. He brings over 38 years of extensive experience to the table in structural concrete, structural steel, carpentry, site work/excavation, and design through his construction company where he has been excavating pools, foundations and subterranean structures in the Texas Hill Country for over 23 years. He knows the various Texas terrain and how to build on it. When you call on Texas Innovative Pools in the Hill Country area, you are calling on the experts in this industry.

As well as his expansive experience, Paul works to continually expand his knowledge in the pool industry and holds the internationally recognized PHTA Certified Pool Builder designation and will obtain his PHTA Certified Master Pool Builder and Design Professional designation by year end 2025. There are fewer than 80 pool builders who hold this designation and he is currently on the fast track to claim his. His deep technical knowledge, combined with his eye for design, creates a truly comprehensive, all-in-one, beautiful solution for your outdoor project no matter the difficulty of the project. Whether your style leans modern or you’re dreaming of a classic Hill Country ranch aesthetic, under his direction, the Texas Innovative Pools team will deliver beautifully crafted, thoughtfully planned projects—every single time. A real cowboy, Paul spent much of his life on the rodeo scene and would rather be nowhere than on the back of his horse or spending time with his children and grandchildren.

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Leah Hughes

Founder and VP of Culture & Design

A native Texan, Leah Hughes brings over three decades of financial expertise paired with a refined eye for outdoor living. Originally from Tomball, she now calls the beautiful Texas Hill Country home after marrying her husband, Paul. As Controller, she leads the business operations of Texas Innovative Pools with precision and strategic insight.

In Leah’s spare time, she’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, lover of God and all things nature, and loves spending any time she can with her children and grandchildren.

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Tyler Hughes

Operations Manager & Lead Designer

Tyler serves as the Operations Manager at Texas Innovative Pools, bringing a strong foundation of hands-on experience along with formal training in both pool design and construction. He holds the PHTA Certified Pool Builder designation, a credential that reflects his commitment to excellence and industry best practices and is advancing his education to obtain his PHTA Certified Master Pool Builder and Design Professional designation.

A graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Economics and Personal Finance, Tyler combines strategic insight with creative problem-solving skills to help bring each project to life. Tyler oversees development, design, procurement, and project management. He has a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the construction process. He ensures every project is executed with the precision, quality, and care our clients expect and deserve. Paul and Leah were proud to have Tyler join the team after graduation from college and are preparing him with all the expertise, knowledge, and further education to carry him far into the future of Texas Innovative Pools. Tyler is a resident of Marble Falls, and in his spare time you can typically find him on the golf course or watching a sports game.

Ronnie Herrmann

Superintendent Houston division

With over 40 years of hands-on experience in carpentry, construction, and pool building, Ronnie has earned a solid reputation as a trusted expert in the industry. He has built hundreds of pools, outdoor kitchens, and cabanas, and possesses exceptional carpentry skill in seamlessly adding patio extensions to existing homes—making them look like they were part of the original design.

Ronnie is also actively pursuing certification through the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) Pool Builder Certification program — the same internationally respected program that’s elevating our entire team’s pool building construction knowledge and standards. This continued education ensures we’re delivering every project with the most up-to-date, best-in-class construction practices available and one that sets us apart from the competition. Along with being a proud Marine Dad, he’s also a proud father and grandfather and in his spare time you can typically find him at one of his grandsons baseball games, or on the motor cross track.

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Bobbi Herrmann

Client Concierge

Bobbi brings a wealth of expertise in sales, customer service, and pool construction operations throughout her career. Bobbi also serves the role of Client Liaison and is readily available to assist all of our clients in Austin and Tomball areas with any of their needs throughout their project. Ronnie & Bobbi have been married for 42 years and have been a husband-and-wife team in construction serving the Tomball and surrounding areas for years. Along with being a proud Marine Mom, Bobbi loves cooking, quilting, drawing and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Nick Hughes

General Manager - Dallas/Rockwall division

Nick is the latest family member to join our growing team and is the General Manager of our Dallas/Rockwall division. Nick is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics. Combining his education with years of hands-on experience in sales, project management, customer service, and problem-solving, Nick is dedicated to creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for every client from concept to completion.

Known for his approachable personality and attention to detail, Nick takes pride in building strong relationships and delivering exceptional service throughout every stage of the project. His commitment to communication, professionalism, and client satisfaction helps ensure each experience is as stress-free as it is rewarding. Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, Nikki, and their son, Rhett, whether relaxing at home or exploring new adventures together. His passion for family, community, and serving homeowners across the DFW area is what drives his commitment to excellence every day.

Sean Reece

Outdoor Living Sales Consultant

Sean Reece is the face of our Spicewood location and we’re proud to have him serve our retail clients with their outdoor building and outdoor living needs. Sean and his family moved here from Michigan and have lived in Austin for 19+ years. Sean has worked in various industries, including the auto and tech industry, as well as serving in ministry as a Children’s Pastor for over 10+ years. Sean lives in Spicewood, and in his spare time likes to spend time with his wife and two sons. His hobbies include traveling, archery, hunting, and fishing. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University, and a Master’s degree in Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary, along with the experience of his previous stops, gives him the ability to collaborate with a variety of individuals. He has a driving passion for building relationships, helping people, and growing our local community. A large part of this process is education. Sean believes that his role is to make sure that his clients understand the general nature of the business so that the process makes sense and the reasons behind why steps are done in a particular order or way.

Greta Cook

Office Manager and Bookkeeper

Greta Cook is the friendly face behind the scenes keeping everything running smoothly as our Office Manager and Bookkeeper. She’s been with Texas Innovative Pools for several years, and with her background in bookkeeping and office management, she quickly became the perfect fit for our team. Greta is all about quality work and staying dedicated to every task she takes on. Whether it’s helping customers or coordinating with vendors, she’s always happy to lend a hand and keep things on track. She is a resident of Marble Falls and a proud mother of two boys. Outside of work she enjoys family time and spending time outdoors.