John Oakes, Ryan Wells, and Paul Malone of Oak Wells Aquatics.

Perfecting pools since 2014.

Two builders who learned the trade underground, a company built on four pillars—craftsmanship, communication, accountability, and respect—and more than a thousand pools held to one standard.

Talk to the team

It began with a shared vision.

Oak Wells Aquatics was founded in Jacksonville in 2014 by John Oakes and Ryan Wells, with a shared vision: build high-quality swimming pools, and give every customer a professional, transparent, dependable experience along the way.

The first years were spent behind the scenes, on excavation and structural work for other pool builders. That ground-level education in how a pool is built correctly became the foundation for designing and constructing complete residential and commercial pool environments of their own.

An aerial view of a rectangular pool and surrounding patio.

Perfection is a process. This is ours.

2014
Oak Wells Aquatics is founded by John Oakes and Ryan Wells. John brings twenty-five years of construction discipline; Ryan, a career in hospitality. The agreement between them is simple: build pools correctly, and treat the process as part of the product.
2014 to 2017
The first work is underground. Excavation and structural packages for other pool builders become a quiet apprenticeship in how pools are actually built, method by method, detail by detail.
2017
That education becomes a portfolio. Oak Wells begins designing and delivering complete residential and commercial pool environments under its own name, start to finish.
2018
Paul Malone joins as Director of Residential Construction, bringing the planning and field leadership that carry the company's standards through a period of rapid growth.
Today
A full-service aquatic contractor: custom pools, renovations, water features, commercial facilities, and year-round service, delivered from four offices across Florida and Georgia.

The people behind the pools.

John Oakes: Co-Founder

John brings more than 25 years of construction experience to Oak Wells Aquatics. He began in the pool industry in 2005 shooting gunite, then spent several years in heavy civil construction building highway crash walls and pavement. That work grounded him in structural concrete and large-scale jobsite management.

He earned his pool contractor license in 2010 and has been part of Oak Wells Aquatics since its beginning in 2014. He helped grow the company from structural excavation and shotcrete work into full residential and commercial pool construction.

Today John leads the field side of the business. His command of construction management, jobsite coordination, and quality control sets the standards that guide every Oak Wells build, from layout to final inspection.

Ryan Wells: Founder & CEO

Ryan Wells founded Oak Wells Aquatics in 2014 with a vision of building a company centered on quality, innovation, and exceptional customer experiences. As Founder and CEO, Ryan brings a data-driven, business-minded approach to the pool industry, combining strategic leadership with a passion for creating outstanding outdoor living environments.

A graduate of Florida State University's College of Business, Ryan built his professional foundation in the restaurant and hospitality industries before transitioning into pool construction. His background in customer service and operations has helped shape Oak Wells Aquatics into one of Northeast Florida's premier pool builders.

Ryan is committed to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and delivering a first-class experience for every client. Outside of work, he enjoys boating and spending quality time with his wife and children, making the most of Florida's outdoor lifestyle.

Paul Malone: General Manager

Paul Malone is the General Manager of Oak Wells Aquatics and has spent nearly a decade working in every corner of the pool construction industry. From retail and service to remodeling, shotcrete, paver installation, and new construction, Paul has done just about everything there is to do in the business.

His passion goes far beyond building beautiful pools—he loves creating outdoor spaces where families can make lifelong memories, just as he did growing up in Florida.

Paul is equally passionate about the craftsmanship behind every project, always looking for ways to build stronger, smarter, and longer-lasting pools that homeowners can enjoy with less maintenance.

He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA), where he helps support and advance the pool and spa industry throughout Florida.

Paul believes Oak Wells Aquatics stands apart because of its unwavering integrity, commitment to quality, and dedication to building lasting relationships—not just completing projects.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and new granddaughter, fishing, hunting, and helping deploy artificial reefs off the Northeast Florida coast to support marine conservation.

Our Philosophy

Craftsmanship
A pool is concrete, steel, and water held to a sixteenth of an inch, and we build as if every tolerance will be tested.
Communication
A pool takes months and touches every corner of your property, so one point of contact keeps you current the whole way.
Accountability
A project is measured not only by the finished pool, but by your experience along the way. Schedules are published and commitments are kept.
Respect
For your property, your neighbors, and your time. Crews arrive when they say they will and leave the site clean every day.