Jim DeBerry (born July 13, 1977) is an American entrepreneur, actor, comedian and radio personality, and has been a C-level executive for several home services and entertainment companies.
Early life
Born in Detroit, Michigan, DeBerry's family relocated to Central Florida in the 1980s. DeBerry participated in an Early College/Dual Enrollment program where he earned an associate degree in arts from Seminole State College and later attended the University of Central Florida and Florida International University. His father, Jim DeBerry, Sr. is a retired businessman and his mother, Linda DeBerry, was a homemaker. His father is French and Norwegian while his mother was of Irish and Yorkshire descent which provided a culturally diverse upbringing. DeBerry is married to Amy DeBerry, an actress who has been appeared in Walmart television advertisements and as Ditzy Misty for Definitive Television.
Swimming pool and solar industries
At the Miami Beach, Florida, based Pool Service America, DeBerry was general manager and company qualifier for one of the largest swimming pool companies in America in 2008.
DeBerry was featured in the Hanley Wood publication Pool and Spa News for his philanthropy work with programs such a USO and Make a Splash Foundation by making charitable contributions in his customers' names. In 2010, DeBerry obtained the profession's highest possible license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Aqua magazine covered DeBerry in a featured spread related to his technical expertise on suction side and pressure side cleaners and why industry workers should not be concerned with robotic machines taking their jobs.
In 2011, while managing partner for Orlando-based Aqua Pool Dealer, DeBerry was featured in marketing campaigns for radio, television and internet promotions. On September 26, 2011, DeBerry's appearance on WTKS 104.1 FM's The Buckethead Show, host Jason Bailey spoke to DeBerry regarding career opportunities and did a comedy bit in the segment with DeBerry about pool owners in the nude by their swimming pools. At the 2011 American Pool and Spa Professionals' International Pool and Spa Expo Award Show in Las Vegas, DeBerry was awarded with the Industry's Achievement Award.
In 2012, DeBerry advocated for homeowners related to the Florida Energy and Conservation Code possible burden upon home owners and energy savings, in which DeBerry gave multiple solutions to combat federal guidance regulations used by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) related to changes regarding criminal background checks. DeBerry was sought after as an industry leader with experience working with investors related to REO properties' downfalls and how to turn those opportunities into revenue. According to the Annual State of the Industry edition ofPool and Spa News, DeBerry is one of the most followed on Twitter with over 90,000 followers including over 500 verified celebrities. DeBerry was covered by Aqua magazine on how to turn social media into clients which included Twitter conversations between DeBerry and an English writer of the Liverpool Daily Post, Gary Bainbridge. In December 2012, the Orlando Business Journal awarded DeBerry for running the top outstanding business in the region with Aqua Pool Dealer. Employment growth and ability to increase revenue had been a deciding factor for DeBerry winning the award. While head of a solar firm in Sanford, Florida, DeBerry offered experience to the industry regarding concerns of employee defections and how to deal in a competitive environment related to employment agreements and non-disclosures. In 2015, under DeBerry's direction, Wild Waters added new attractions to the amusement park related to eco-tourism including the educational animal exhibit featuring snakes, turtles and alligators, Henry Flagler's Boat of Bounce and a comedy lab. DeBerry was noted for implementing the water park's "save, sanitize, filtrate and recirculate" and recycling programs minimizing the amount of water used per month from the City of Ocala's supply.