Meet Debbie Wiedwald, vice president of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and Region 4 director representing Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan.
In this Q&A, Debbie shares what sets her company apart, how she sees the chimney industry evolving over the next 50 years, and the story behind the classic car she owns but doesn’t drive.
Blackburns Chimney Services’ goal is to educate and partner with homeowners on fireplace and chimney solutions in a long-term relationship. Our staff listens to what homeowners want for their fireplace/chimney and provides options to meet their needs. Our company isn’t the best match for homeowners who only want a band-aid type of repair.
Blackburns Chimney team members are well trained and are always learning. Many of our team members are related to each other and/or friends outside of work. I’m grateful our company is a place where staff members recommend people to join the team. We fully understand that employees have lives outside of work and provide flexibility so staff members can handle family needs during the work week.
People like to gather, and fireplaces are a natural setting for get-togethers. We have adapted to having televisions installed above a fireplace to promote group seating around the fireplace. There are many people who use fireplaces as an alternative heat source and do not want to be reliant only on electricity for heat. There are many chimneys that will continue to need service in the next 50 years, and fireplaces will be used for ambiance and heat. I believe our industry will continue to adapt and take care of homeowners’ chimney and fireplace service needs.
I own a car I cannot drive. When my dad moved from Cleveland to Florida, my first husband Steve (founder of Blackburns Chimney) and I bought my dad’s 1957 Red Chevy Bel-Air. The car has a manual transmission—“three on the tree." I cannot drive a manual car. After Steve passed away, the car sat in the shop and was driven on occasion by my brother-in-law. When I met my now husband Mike, we learned that we both have '57 Chevy Bel-Air cars. Mike’s Blue '57 Chevy has an automatic transmission, so now I drive Mike’s car and he drives my car. My kids are also glad that I will not sell the '57 Chevy now that the car is being driven more regularly.