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
President and Co-Founder
Teresa Lindberg
CPA – Accountant
3rd Party Vendors
Kyle Taggart
Creative Talent and Webmaster
Will Proto
Social Media Marketing
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.
Teresa Lindberg
Teresa has over 15 years of accounting and business experience. She graduated from Colorado State University, and spent time as an auditor at Deloitte & Touche, gaining her CPA certification in Colorado before moving into the private industry. She spent a number of years leading the financial analysis and forecasting function for a Fortune 500 company. Over the past several years, she has led accounting and finance roles at several small companies ranging in size from start-up to 200 employees. Her focus is on developing financial literacy, discipline, and support in each company she is part of. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, and volunteers at her son’s elementary school. We are grateful for all the amazing money perspectives she brings to the company. She treats her work like an artist treats her paintings. And every P&L and Balance Sheet is a Monet.
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!
Will Proto
With a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s degree in Advertising from the University of Texas, I’ve spent my entire career combining strategic thinking and creativity to develop unique and innovative marketing solutions that deliver positive business results.
I’ve worked in big agencies. I’ve worked in small agencies. I’ve been the client. Whether it’s a national marketing promotion, a one-time print ad, or a brochure for your daughters lemonade stand, I will figure out how to talk to and engage with your consumers to help build awareness and generate sales. I specialize in Marketing, Design and Strategy for brands and businesses of all shapes and sizes. No project is too big or small.