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The Mad Hatter St. Louis

ABOUT US

The Mad Hatter Story: Three Generations of Integrity & The Fight for Truth

At The Mad Hatter Service Company, our history isn't just a timeline—it’s a 48-year mission to protect St. Louis families. What began as a teenager helping his father has grown into the region’s highest-rated and most-reviewed chimney and air duct specialist.

A Lifelong Commitment: 1992 to Today

Our founder, Joe Mack, is a second-generation owner who started his journey at age 14, learning the trade at his father’s side. This isn't just a job for Joe; it’s the only work he has ever known.

That dedication to hard work and family values is the foundation of everything we do. In August 2026, Joe and his high school sweetheart, Annie, will celebrate 30 years of marriage. Annie’s support was instrumental in the company’s early days, working to put Joe through college where he earned his Associate’s Degree in Heating, Cooling, and Refrigeration.

Today, that legacy continues with the third generation: Joe’s oldest daughter and his only son are now part of the team, ensuring the Mad Hatter standard of care lives on.

 

The Birth of "The Chimney Safety Firm": Standing for Truth

The Mad Hatter didn't become the best-rated and most-reviewed firm in St. Louis by cutting corners. Our reputation was forged in a moment of professional integrity.

In 2024, after Joe’s team identified a series of dangerous, faulty fireplace installations by a local contractor, that installer attempted to discredit The Mad Hatter’s findings. Rather than backing down, Joe doubled down on the truth. He offered to meet the contractor, the Fire Marshal, and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) at the property to prove the findings through scientific evidence.

Joe found himself defending his business simply for doing the job to its fullest. Out of that conflict, The Chimney Safety Firm was born—a separate, elite diagnostic entity created to establish undeniable Authority in the industry.

A Message from Joe Mack:
The Evolution of Authority

From Brushes to Blueprints: 34 Years of Technical Precision


"When I first stepped onto a rooftop with The Mad Hatter in 1992, the industry was defined by manual labor and a simple wire brush. We were inspired by the 1978 Mother Earth News articles that brought chimney sweeping back to the American home, but I quickly realized that "cleaning" was only half the story. To truly protect a home, you have to understand the physics of the building envelope.

Over the last three decades, I have watched the hearth and HVAC industries undergo a massive technological shift. Homes have become tighter, heating systems more complex, and the margin for error much smaller."


The Data-Driven Shift

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OUR TEAM

The Foundation: Executive Leadership

  • Annette Mack | The Backbone of Operations As Joe’s high-school sweetheart and partner for over 30 years, Annette has been the structural support behind the firm's growth since the early days. Her leadership ensures the stability and long-term vision of the Mack family legacy.

  • Joe Mack | Second-Generation Owner Active in the firm since 1992. 26-Year Certified Chimney Sweep.

  • Marina Mack | Director of Technical Operations Third-Generation Lead. Compliance & Logistics.

 

Senior Forensic Inspectors & CSIA Certified Leads

All Lead Inspectors maintain active CSIA Certification and are trained in the Mad Hatter Forensic Protocol.

  • Jason "Spidey" Shores | Senior Inspector (22+ Years) A cornerstone of the Mad Hatter technical team for over two decades. As a CSIA Certified Sweep, Jason represents the highest level of field authority at The Mad Hatter Service Company. Joining the firm in the early 2000s, Jason has spent over two decades mastering the structural evolution of hearth systems across the St. Louis and St. Charles regions.

Technical Specialization

As a CSIA Certified Specialist, Jason’s expertise spans the entire history of modern chimney sweep technology. From the traditional manual techniques of the 90s to the integrated forensic imaging of 2026, he possesses a "mechanical intuition" that only comes from twenty-two years of daily field immersion.

Forensic Scoping: Lead operator for high-complexity internal flue scans using the Wöhler VIS 350.

Structural Integrity: Specialist in identifying "Invisible Breaches" in aging masonry and factory-built systems.

Legacy Knowledge: Deep understanding of regional building codes and historical construction methods specific to Missouri.

The 2026 Mentorship Mandate

In 2026, Jason has been appointed as the Senior Field Mentor for our incoming class of five technical apprentices. He is responsible for translating 22 years of field data into the next generation’s "Standard Operating Procedures."

 

"Jason doesn't just look at a chimney; he reads its history. When our new recruits need to understand why a system is failing, they look to 'Spidey' for the mechanical proof." — Joe Mack

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  • Alex Breck | Lead Specialist (7+ Years) CSIA Certified. Specializing in advanced diagnostic imaging and high-access mechanical remediation.

  • Sean Songer | Lead Specialist (5+ Years) CSIA Certified. Expert in NFPA 211 compliance and thermodynamic system audits.

  • Kenny Zumwalt | Lead Specialist (5+ Years) CSIA Certified. Focused on the integration of forensic tools and precision chimney restoration.

  • James Grimes | Lead Specialist (5+ Years) CSIA Certified. Specialist in mechanical exhaust systems and structural integrity verification.

 

The Technical Support & Development Team

  • Junior Mack | Chief of Mechanical Remediation CSIA Certified. Lead of the American Caddy Vac High-Power Extraction Division.

  • Rock Weindorf | Specialist-in-Training (5+ Years) After five years of mastering our system requirements in the Retail Division, Rock has transitioned to the field and is currently completing his CSIA certification requirements.

  • Sara Skirvin | Technical Office Assistant (5+ Years) Providing the critical administrative support required to process forensic data and maintain our clinical service schedules.

  • Jayce Mack | Future Forensic Specialist Representing the fourth generation of the Mack family, Jayce is already being introduced to the legacy of safety and precision that began in 1978.

 

The "Tenure" Advantage: By the Numbers

When you hire The Mad Hatter, you are hiring a team with unprecedented field stability:

  • 50+ Combined Years of CSIA-certified experience among our lead inspectors.

  • 90% Employee Retention over a 5-year period.

  • Legacy Knowledge: Our senior lead has been with us for nearly a quarter-century.

The Mad Hatter Service Company Fleet
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