ABOUT US

The Mad Hatter Story: A Second-Generation Legacy of Safety

At The Mad Hatter Service Company, our story isn't just about business—it’s about family, a lifetime of dedication, and the high standards passed down from one generation to the next.

A Lifetime in the Trade

For our owner, Joe Mack, the "Mad Hatter" brand is more than a career—it’s the only work he has ever known. Joe’s journey started at age 14, working alongside his father and learning the intricacies of Missouri’s chimneys and venting systems. What began as a teenager helping his dad grew into a lifelong mission to protect St. Louis families.

Built on Family Values

Family is the heartbeat of our company. Shortly after graduating high school, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Annie. As a true partner in every sense, Annie worked to support Joe as he pursued his education, earning his Associate’s Degree in Heating, Cooling, and Refrigeration.

 

 

That foundation of hard work and mutual support is exactly how we treat our clients today. When we enter your home, we treat your family’s safety with the same gravity we would our own.

26 Years of Certified Expertise

In an industry where "pros" often come and go, Joe Mack has remained a constant authority. He has been a Certified Chimney Sweep for over 26 years, combining decades of hands-on field experience with a deep technical education in climate control and venting.

This unique combination—a lifetime of trade experience and a specialized degree—is why The Mad Hatter stands alone. It’s what led Joe to develop our signature process:

• The Diagnostic Edge: Using forensic-grade technology to find what others miss.

• The Mad Hatter Standard: Operating as the only authorized firm in Missouri to perform repairs that meet the elite "Chimney Safety Firm" benchmarks.

A Missouri Legacy

From the historic brickwork of St. Louis to the modern homes of St. Charles, Joe’s deep understanding of Missouri’s geology and masonry is built into every job. Today, Joe leads a dedicated team of technicians, passing on the same values of honesty, precision, and craftsmanship that he learned from his father decades ago.

When you see the Top Hat at your door, you’re not just getting a technician—you’re getting 26 years of certified experience and a second-generation commitment to your home’s safety.

 

Powered by Precision: The Forensic Advantage

At The Mad Hatter Service Company, we believe that a repair is only as good as the diagnostic that preceded it. That is why we have officially adopted The Chimney Safety Firm™ Forensic Protocol as our gold standard for property inspections.

What This Means for You:

• Vetted Technical Excellence: Our technicians aren't just sweeps; they are Certified Protocol Specialists. They have passed rigorous forensic examinations designed by The Chimney Safety Firm to identify structural risks that standard inspections miss.

• Advanced Diagnostic Suite: Every Mad Hatter inspection utilizes the Firm's proprietary protocol checklist to provide a documented health report for your chimney.

• The Firewall of Objectivity: While we provide the expert restoration and service, we adhere to the Firm’s strict Code of Ethics. This ensures our diagnostics are lead by science, not sales—providing you with a clear roadmap for your home’s safety.

 

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 Mad Hatter since 1992. 26-Year Certified Chimney Sweep. Lead Forensic Specialist, Degree in Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration. 

• 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's proprietary Protocols.

• 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, Gas Appliance Specialist.

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

 

The Technical Support & Development Team

• Junior Mack | Third Generation 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.