Meet our Shasta University Trainer

Shasta University Trainer

John R. Mortensen

Since 1975, John Mortensen has worked in the swimming pool industry. He started as a laborer on a deck crew, worked his way into sales, then construction supervision, new pool construction field leadership, remodeling general management, training and development, and ultimately, company ownership, where for nine years, he focused on commercial new construction, remodeling and custom water features. Through the decades, John has designed, sold and built residential new pools and remodels, commercial pools and remodels, splashpads and custom water features. Along the way, he's earned degrees from American River Community College and the University of California at Berkeley and did post graduate work at California State University at Sacramento. 

John has served on numerous trade association boards through the years including: NSPI (Sacramento Chapter-Builder chair 1997-98), APSP (Central AZ Chapter-Ethics Chair, Builder Chair and Pres-Elect 2004, 2005, 2006), SPSA (Co-Founder, Communications Director, Public Relations and Newsletter Editor 2007, 2008, 2009) and has done Training Instruction for the APSP on structures and finishes (2004-2006). 

In addition to serving on various industry boards, John also served on the Maricopa County Swimming Pool Advisory Committee (for Semi-Public Pools Variances) from 2006-2015. 

In 2016, John came to Shasta Pools to help with sales pricing and operations, then sales training, helping with special projects, and directing the Learning and Development team. 

John is the creator of Shasta University and has created original content on subjects such as: sales presentations, handling objections, water chemistry and products that can help customers manage it, sales fatigue, features, advantages and benefits, how pools and spas are built, how to maintain pools and spas, Pool Studio tips and tricks, and many others. He’s also facilitated many Franklin Covey courses, including: The Four Essential Roles of Leadership (Coaching Module); The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; The 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team; Helping Clients Succeed: Closing the Sale, and more.