Board of Trustees

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CSIA Staff

Instructors

Standing COMMITTEES

​If you are interested in being considered for a Standing Committee appointment, contact Chairman of the Board, ​Jesse Doucette at Jesse@crownchimney.com  or Sara Sichting, CEO at ssichting@csia.org

  • Executive Committee
    Jesse Doucette, Chair
    Anthony Valerio, Charman Elect
    Lou Curley, Secretary
    Jack Wachsmann, Treasurer
    Sara Sichting, Executive Director
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    ​    The Executive Committee consists of the Chairman, Chairman-Elect, Past Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and CEO (Non-Voting Member – Advisory Capacity). The committee has the authority to make decisions in the absence of or between Board Meetings that will affect the governance of the Institute or as set by the Chairman of the Board.

    • Chairman’s Advisory Council on Governance
      Tommy Nelms, Chair

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    The Council may be established by the Chairman to review By-Law changes, additions, or amendments or for advisory governance of the Institute. Members are selected at the sole discretion of the Chairman.

  • Finance Committee
    Jack Wachsmann, Chair
    Buffy Heller-Taylor, Staff Liaison
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    ​    The Finance Committee assists the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities concerning the monitoring and oversight of financial resources, including its capital management and recovery and resolution planning processes. The Treasurer shall act as Chair and members selected by the Chairman and Treasurer.

  • Nominations Committee
    Bart Ogden, Chair
    Sara Sichting, Staff Liaison
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    The Nominating Committee members work together to form the best process for recruiting and nominating candidates that are slated and recommended to the Chairman for approval by the Board of Trustees. A basic application for the positions will be posted and applicable to all Certified Sweeps® or Dryer Technicians®.

    All members of the nominating committee are required to identify potential candidates for current or upcoming vacancies and to work diligently toward attracting and securing top talent. Their duties include identifying, recruiting, screening, and interviewing candidates for board leadership positions. The committee selects the top candidates and recommends them to the Chairman and Board of Trustees as an official slate of nominees.

  • Certification Council
    Hope Stevenson, Chair

    The Council shall oversee the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® designation and monitor compliance with all applicable rules and regulations, laws, and accreditation standards. The Council shall work autonomously and will be primarily responsible for the decision-making of all essential Certification activities, including overseeing the Examination process.

    It is the role and prerogative of the Board to adopt policy and approve program budgets. The Committee has the authority to institute policies and procedures regarding the Certification Program and through the Certification Administrator request funds for annual operations. Under Indiana and Washington D.C. not-for-profit laws and regulations the Committee may not usurp the fiduciary responsibilities of the CSIA Board of Trustees.

    The Certification Council shall be limited to a maximum of nine members. All members are appointed by the President (Chair) with approval by the Board of Trustees to the committee and will abide by the standard of engagement set by the CSIA Bylaws. Committee members must be CSIA Certified and a maximum of two (2) may be from the CSIA Board of Trustees.

    • Ethics Committee
      Mark Stoner, Chair
      Sara Sichting, Staff Liaison


    The Ethics Committee reviews ethics complaints filed by either a consumer, Chimney Sweep®, or Dryer Technician®. The Committee Chair reviews all complaints with the Certification Administrator and determines the merits of the complaint and if it is within the compliance or non-compliance of the CSIA Code of Ethics.

    • Exam Committee
      Jim Brewer, Chair
      Russ Dimmitt, Staff Liaison

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    The Exam Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the CSIA Certification examinations and monitoring compliance with all applicable rules and regulations, laws, and accreditation standards. The Committee shall work autonomously and will be primarily responsible for the decision-making of all essential Certification examinations.
    The Examination Committee shall be limited to five members. All members appointed to the committee will abide by the standard of engagement set by the CSIA Bylaws. Committee members must be CSIA Master or Dryer Technician Certified. One member may be a statistician or psychometric expert.

  • Mark Stoner, Chair
    Charissa Benge, Staff Liaison

  • Jim Brewer, Chair
    Matt Ellis, Staff Liaison

  • Continuing Education Units (CEU) Committee
    Lou Curley, Chair
    Taylor Hendricks, Staff Liaison
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    The Continuing Education Units (CEU) Committee reviews all educational and training programs and awards the Continuing Education Units for each CSIA education program, Forum, Symposium, Training, or another related program that requests Continuing Education Units. The committee ensures a planned system of high-quality continuing education instruction designed and delivered to enhance the attainment and retention of technical competence by Chimney Sweeps® and Dryer Vent Technicians®.

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES

Be part of your organization, apply for a CSIA Committee, and be part of your stakeholder organization. Committee assignments are reviewed by the Chairman of the Board and Board of Trustees and then appointments are made starting in March.

​If you are interested in being considered for a Volunteer Committee assignment, contact Chairman of the Board, ​Jesse Doucette at Jesse@crownchimney.com  or Sara Sichting, CEO at ssichting@csia.org

  • ​CDET® Committee
    John Bently, Chair
    Holly Cox, Staff Liaison
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    The CDET® Committee reviews education, programs, and services for the CDET® Certification and recommends any advances in maintaining the CDET® Certification. Further, they recommend improvements or growth structures for quality training and advancement for CDET® Certified Technicians.

  • ​Education and Training Committee
    James “Calvin” Ralls, Chair
    Matt Ellis, Staff Liaisons

    The Education and Training Committee (ETC) advises staff in the direction and guidance of the long-term education and training goals and objectives of CSIA. A major role of the committee will be to establish and maintain the organization’s core curriculum and relate this curriculum to the industry-recognized job task analysis. The instructional design of the core curriculum shall focus primarily on addressing the educational needs of Chimney and Dryer Technician professionals in developing and advancing their careers.

    However, the core curriculum will be designed to relate to other Chimney and Dryer Technician stakeholders’ current and future educational and training opportunities. The Committee will also be responsible for instructor recruitment and training.
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    • Tribal Relations Sub Committee
      Works with American Tribal Communities in bringing education and training to their lands understanding the needs within each community.

  • ​International Relations Committee
    John Pilger, Chair
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    The International Relations Committee coordinates and establishes relationships with Sweep Organizations outside the United States and works with such organizations to build education, programs, and services that benefit Sweeps and CSIA. It expands its mission to working with public policy on International Sweep Industries standards and research.

  • Long Range Planning Committee
    Jesse Doucette, Chair
    Anthony Valerio, Co-Chair

    The Long Range Planning Committee aims to ensure the long-term success and efficiency of CSIA by promoting consistency between CSIA governance and practice. The committee makes recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding achievable long-range programs, services, or actions that benefit CSIA, Chimney Sweeps® and Dryer Technicians®, and CSIA.  The Committee works with the CSIA Board and Staff to establish 3-year long-term plans for CSIA.

    • Ethics Committee
      Mark Stoner, Chair
      Sara Sichting, Staff Liaison


    The Ethics Committee reviews ethics complaints filed by either a consumer, Chimney Sweep®, or Dryer Technician®. The Committee Chair reviews all complaints with the Certification Administrator and determines the merits of the complaint and if it is within the compliance or non-compliance of the CSIA Code of Ethics.

    • Exam Committee
      Jim Brewer, Chair
      Russ Dimmitt, Staff Liaison

    ​
    The Exam Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the CSIA Certification examinations and monitoring compliance with all applicable rules and regulations, laws, and accreditation standards. The Committee shall work autonomously and will be primarily responsible for the decision-making of all essential Certification examinations.
    The Examination Committee shall be limited to five members. All members appointed to the committee will abide by the standard of engagement set by the CSIA Bylaws. Committee members must be CSIA Master® or Dryer Technician Certified®. One member may be a statistician or psychometric expert.

  • Master Sweep® Committee
    Dennis Dobbs, Chair
    Charissa Benge, Staff Liaison

    ​The Master Sweep® Committee is made up of Master Sweeps® and recommends and reviews educational, professional development, training, and programs for Master Sweeps®. This Committee also reviews the Master Sweep® criteria and applicants for the Master Sweep® Certification with a recommendation to the Certification Council and Board of Trustees.

  • Specialist Sweep® Committee
    Chris Terrones, Chair
    Charissa Benge, Staff Liaison
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    The Specialist Sweep® Committee is made up of Specialist Sweeps® and recommends and reviews educational, professional development, training, and programs for Specialist Sweeps®. The Committee also reviews Specialist Sweeps® criteria and standards with a recommendation to the Certification Council and Board of Trustees.

  • Public Policy and Consumer Advocacy Committee
    Theresa Foote, Chair
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    The CSIA Public Policy and Consumer Advocacy Committee is to advise on Public Policy Priorities and support CSIA’s Consumer Advocacy work with stakeholders by informing and engaging with them at the local, state, and federal levels on CSIA’s Public Policy and Consumer Advocacy priorities.

  • Research and Chimney Sciences Committee
    Chris Prior and Tim Smith, Co-Chairs
    Matt Ellis, Staff Liaison

    The Research and Chimney Sciences Committee reviews and advises the staff and Board on the strategic direction and investment in research and development and technology; reviews matters relating to scientific capabilities and programs of Chimneys and Chimney Science; and identifies and discusses significant emerging trends and issues in science and research considering the potential impact of such matters on the industry and CSIA Certified stakeholders.

  • Awards and Recognition Committee
    Anthony Valerio, Chair
    Sara Sichting, Staff Liaison
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    The Awards and Recognition Committee receives and reviews nominations and recipients for the CSIA-designated Awards and Recognition Program. The Committee may also recommend to the Board of Trustees additional Awards or Recognition based on need and merit.

  • Affiliated Trades Committee
    Jasper Drengler, Chair
    Sara Sichting, Staff Liaison
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    The Affiliated Trades Committee and its members will identify and attend affiliated events, shows, and conferences representing CSIA with a staff liason. The Committee will recommend such events and other colloborative efforts for CSIA’s colloborative and cooperative positive efforts.

Apply to a Volunteer Committee