Management Team
“Focus on a few key objectives…I only have three things to do. I have to choose the right people, allocate the right number of dollars, and transmit ideas from one division to another with the speed of light. So I’m really in the business of being the gatekeeper and the transmitter of ideas.”
– Jack Welch
Byron Schramm
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising traces its history back to Byron Schramm’s upbringing in Lancaster, CA. His family, which has lived in Antelope Valley, California for five generations, boasts an affinity for construction and farming. Byron has earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Mathematics from The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, CA. An entrepreneur at heart, he started three businesses before age 18 and filed for a provisional US Patent on an invention at age 21. He holds a provisional utility patent on a smart phone app for the hearth industry, a solo license in sailplane aircraft, and several mechanical licenses in different Colorado cities. Thanks to an open-minded family who valued world travel, Schramm has spent time in Alaska, Syria, Denmark, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand. Not to mention, Switzerland twice… with just a backpack and a low budget. If you try and ask him about the accidental ski trip into Italy on the back side of the Matterhorn, well, he will likely blush with embarrassment when you do…
Byron has also proven adept at dealing with failures. For example, he refused to be overwhelmed during the 2007 downturn in the US economy. In April of that year, Byron shifted his attention from the real estate and construction market to the family’s second-generation marginalized chimney care business. The new enterprise sprang to life with the integration of technology, systems, uniforms, and other lean practices required of an chimney care provider operating in a desert. Much of that initial innovation is due to the illustrious employee David- an effort that he insisted Byron never forget. Due to his love of travel, people, and business, Byron recognizes that the hearth industry must deliver quality customer service. And frequently does not. Now that the Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchise is delivering results from Seattle to Philadelphia, Midtown asserts that a “blue-ocean strategy” has been uncovered in a new business market.
Brandon Hewitt – Vice President
Brandon has been with Midtown since 2020 and is currently our Franchise Business Coach. He draws on his experience as a Denver business owner, as well as his recent knowledge of our industry, to help owners solve problems and set/reach their goals. In his free time you’ll find him in the Denver area, almost certainly with his velcro dog Lemon.
Christina Smith – Franchise Development/Marketing Manager
Christina joins the Midtown team from over a decade of customer service, marketing, and sales and has been a part of the franchising community for 10 plus years. She has worked side by side and learned from worldwide brands and collaborated at countless roundtables, seminars, and networks. Working to build Midtown Chimney outreach and to support the franchise system with digital marketing and growth, Christina brings innovation, transparency and a ready smile. A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Christina spends her free time with her son, camping, hiking, and traveling as much as possible.
Sue Ronnenkamp – Operations Support
Sue has had a rich, accomplished, and results-oriented career in aging services and health care, with earned expertise in developing new niche services, products, resources, and marketing approaches. Today she’s no longer on the career fast track, but is greatly enjoying this part time job and this opportunity to support Midtown operations in any and all ways needed!
Sue came on board with Midtown in December of 2021. Her responsibilities include running all the weekly and monthly management and franchise reports, handling the Royalties payment processing, and ensuring things like franchise insurance coverage and certifications are up to date. She loves the challenge of making systems improvements and has already streamlined many of the tasks she’s responsible for – along with developing a brand new Operations Support Procedures Manual, so all steps are down on paper for anyone to understand and follow. Sue also helps and supports other Home Office Team members as needed, assisting with special projects and other operations improvements.
Sue has a B.S. degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Hospital and Health Care Administration. Outside of Midtown, she continues to expand her own AgeTHRIVE work (teaching, coaching, writing) and offer her expertise, experience and wisdom around aging and retiring well – and making the most of the later chapters of life. She also loves getting out in nature in her new and beautiful home state of Colorado, gym workouts, jigsaw puzzles, movies, and spending time with friends.
Mikaela Talbot – Scheduling Center Manager
Mikaela is originally from Massachusetts, but has lived in Colorado for two years now. Mikaela has a B.S in Psychology and has an extensive background working in customer service and sales. Outside of work, Mikaela loves to stay active by going to the gym and hiking with her two dogs.
Kristen Myers – Scheduling Center Representative
Kristen Myers: Kristen grew up near Lake Ontario and graduated from State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She moved around the country for a while working forestry field jobs before moving to Colorado with her husband and their two dogs.
Brianna Gomes – Scheduling Center Representative
Brianna was born in San Antonio, Texas. She moved to Colorado with her husband and two cats in the summer of 2022. New to the Midtown scheduling team, she brings 10 years of customer service and scheduling experience. Brianna and her husband enjoy hiking and kayaking, and have a knack for finding unique restaurants. When she isn’t with her family, she can be found antique shopping or starting a new art project.
3rd Party Vendors / Advisors
Kyle Taggart
Kyle is a creative artist and entrepreneur in the design industry, with more than 9 years of experience as a marketing specialist and web developer, and over 12 years of graphic design experience. Owner and founder of Tag Team Design, Kyle performs all things digital for Midtown Chimney Sweeps. In his free-time, he enjoys a good series on Netflix sometimes binge watching an entire season in one sitting! To add some more excitement to his life, he is an avid snowboarder, golfer, and tennis player that sometimes gets too competitive. Most days, you can find him working at his computer for too many hours at a time!