Mitchel's 

Chimney & Masonry Specialists, Inc

About Us

Mitchel's Chimney and Masonry Specialists, Inc. was established November 4, 1998 by Kevin and Christine Mitchel. Mitchel's is a small company and it is the intent of Kevin and Christine to stay that way.  They believe that by staying small they can deliver excellence and quality one job at a time.

Kevin Mitchel, President:  Kevin is originally from the small town of Manitowoc, WI.  Where grew up working on his families farm.  After High School, Kevin attended the University of WI, where he received his associates degree.  Kevin started his vocation fifteen years ago as a laborer and worked his way up to a skilled mason. In 1993 Kevin received his certificate in firefighting while serving on a LSD44 ship in the Navy. 

In 1995 Kevin worked for a local chimney company.  It was at this company that he learned the technical aspects of chimneys and fire codes.  He became certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America in August, 1996. 

Kevin saw a great demand in the industry for skilled masons.  He was surprised at the number of chimney sweep companies that did not offer extensive masonry services.  Which brought about his desire to expand the industry to more than Chimney Sweeping and repairs.  He needed to utilize more of his masonry skills.  This decision brought the establishment of Mitchel's Chimney and Masonry Specialists, Inc. 

Kevin first opened the company with the intension of expanding the services from chimney sweeping to building and installing new chimneys, but  with such a demand for skilled masons, he quickly found himself doing patios, walkways and stairs as well as all the chimney services.

Christine Mitchel, Vice President:  Christine has a variety of responsibilities to Mitchel's,  including bookkeeping, office administration and advertising. Most ads for Mitchel's are designed by Christine herself, including this web page.  Before opening Mitchel's Chimney & Masonry Specialists, Inc. Christine performed the accounting for an association's Political Action Committee.  She was also registered as a lobbyist, and enjoyed a brief stint as treasurer of the Virginia Chimney Safety Guild..

With her extensive background in the legislative and regulatory arena Christine has been dedicated to keeping Chimney professionals informed of political issues surrounding the chimney industry.  She was a "Congressional Correspondent" for the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), and wrote a few articles for their association magazine, "Sweep".

Christine is a native to Northern Virginia, she grew up in McLean, where she attended McLean High School and later went on to the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, where she studied business administration.  Before their business expanded Christine worked as a helper to Kevin out in the field where she learned a vast Knowledge of chimneys. 

Richard Lopez, Masonry Foreman: Richard came to work for the Mitchel's in October of 2001.  Richard was raised in an American Mission in Guatemala, where he was educated in English.  He moved to this country seven years ago where he met and married his American wife, Francis.  He is happily married with two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. 

Richard learned his bricklaying trade in Guatemala, and he quickly proved himself to be an excellent foreman for his crew.  Kevin personally trained Richardo, teaching him all about Chimney's.  Richard has been continuing his education at Northern Virginia Community College, taking classes at night around work.  He has not only proved to be extremely intelligent and picking up new skills quickly, but is also a master at his original trade of bricklaying.  Richard is honest and hardworking and has been running his own crew now for the last four years. You can see samples of Richard's beautiful work on our photo portfolio page.

Ralph Genao, CSIA Chimney Technician  : is a certified chimney technician.  He started in November of 2004, but green he is not.  Ralph worked in the chimney industry for four years prior as an assistant to the owner of a chimney company in New Jersey well he was well trained as a sweeps helper.  Ralph has recently finished is  apprenticeship here at Mitchel's and received his certification from the Chimney Safety Institute of America.  Ralph is now managing his own van.  Currently Ralph works as assistant to Ryan Hall, he is hardworking, intelligent and has quickly proven himself to be an asset to our company.  Ralph's is  married and has two children.

Servando Escobar: Mason's laborer:  Servando has worked for us since December 2003.  He is Ralph's right hand man.  Servando was also raised in the mountains of Guatemala. He is a dependable, hard working employee, who is skilled in his trade.