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Ojai man gets White House job
Chimney sweep to help clean 38 fireplace flues
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Photos by Jason Redmond / Star staff Chimney sweep Randy Brooks heads up a roof belonging to Jan Ackerman in Camarillo.
"Think of all the presidents who have lived in the White House," said Randy Brooks. He prepares to check a local client's chimney.
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More from Local NewsA history buff since grade school, Randy Brooks has long wanted to tour the White House, but he never thought he would get his chance through a chimney.
"My old government teacher will probably flip when he hears I'm going to the White House," said Brooks, 43, owner of Brooks Chimney Sweeping in Ojai.
Brooks is on a team of eight professionals selected to sweep 38 fireplace flues at the White House, starting Monday.
On paper, it's a fairly routine job, except for the military snipers joining the crew on the roof. Swept every other year, some White House fireplaces rarely get used.
No one gets paid for the job, but that's of little concern to Brooks. He said it marks the apex of his career, like a climber scaling Mount Kilimanjaro or a musician taking center stage at Carnegie Hall.
"It's the Oval Office, the Lincoln Bedroom, the Cabinet Room, the president's personal sleeping quarters. Think of all the decisions that have been made in these places over the years," he said.
Brooks' wife, Traci, will travel with him. The team is scheduled to work three days, and afterward, White House ushers traditionally provide a tour for workers and their families. The couple plan to stay and tour Washington through the end of the week.
"We can't take photographs while we work," said Brooks, a Ventura native and Ojai resident, "but on the tour day, we're going to take a group photo on the roof. It's going to be pretty incredible."
How does a guy from Ojai end up in the White House? Knowing the right people, of course.
Jeff Schmittinger, owner of Wisconsin Chimney Technicians in Waukesha, has been cleaning the presidential chimneys for 15 years.
Schmittinger heard former President Bill Clinton give a televised address shortly after taking office in 1993. In a trying budget year, Clinton asked Americans to dig a little deeper to help fix the federal deficit. To show his commitment, Clinton said he would trim his staff.
So Schmittinger called the White House and offered his services for free. After being bounced around a dozen offices, he was told to explain his offer in a letter.
Six weeks later, the administration replied, and by chance, the annual national convention of the chimney sweep guild was in Washington, D.C., that year. He took a tour of the White House and scored the contract, agreeing to never charge and never advertise.
"It was my little contribution to help with the nation's budget deficit," Schmittinger, 56, said this week by telephone. "When you stand on the roof of the White House, you think, My God, how does this happen to a guy who works on chimneys?' But that's what's great about this country. Anything is possible. It's just a matter of finding a way to do it and following up on it."
In the last few years, Schmittinger has opened a couple of slots on his team and urged professionals around the country to apply. Brooks rose to the top.
"He could probably tell from my application that I was on my knees begging. It was pretty pathetic," said Brooks, a self-described history buff who burns through historical novels and watches the History Channel.
His road to the White House is even more improbable, considering how he broke into the industry. Brooks drove delivery trucks for Coca-Cola, but inconsistent work during slow winter months took a financial toll. With his wife pregnant with their first son, his situation took on greater urgency. He read an advertisement in an outdoors magazine selling advice on how to launch a chimney sweep business. "This is 1988. This is pre-Internet," he said. "I called a 1-800 number."
The couple had to finance his tools on their credit card.
"I couldn't believe someone called," he said of his first ad in a local service directory. "I think the guy asked me how many jobs I had done, and I was like, Yours and one more will be two.'"
He earned enough that year to pay off his investment and put some money in the bank.
Today, the Ventura High School graduate is board president of both the National Chimney Sweep Guild and the Chimney Safety Institute of America, both with headquarters in Indianapolis.
His two sons work for him. Hoss, 21, also attends CSU Channel Islands in Camarillo. Joe, 18, just graduated from high school. Both, however, will be staying home next week.
"I have responsibilities," Joe said this week as he assisted his dad at a job in Camarillo.
"Yeah, he's got to feed the dog," his dad quipped, his large forearms flexing as he leaned into a fireplace and stuck a small, protected video camera into the flue. Today's chimney sweepers use video equipment and digital photography to scan and study flues for leaks or other damage.
Brooks said his most memorable find was a yellowed letter tucked on the smoke shelf above the damper in an elderly woman's home. The letter was written by her son to Santa Claus. It was dated Christmas Eve, 1957.
The woman's son had been killed in Vietnam, so "it was quite a find for her," he recalled.
Brooks must report to the White House at 7:30 a.m. Monday. And if he bumps into the president?
"Man, what an honor that would be," said Brooks, who sidestepped questions about his political leanings. "But it's not just this president. Think of all the presidents who have lived in the White House. This is a defining point in my career. I can almost die now, knowing I can't do a higher honor."
Posted by santabarbarasand on August 15, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
junior, thats pretty rude! He explained why it was a big deal for him in the article and it is nice to see someone getting to do something in this life that they are truly proud of and excited about. Good for him :)
Posted by whatever on August 15, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mafia what a remark. Why is it you are so rude? You must be jealous since you have nothing better to do with your time. A nice story instead of killers in Oxnard and surrounding areas, gangs, illegals etc. And you have to put a downer on a good story! So typical.
Posted by svwl on August 15, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It must be quite an honor. I don't know about the "can't do a higher honor" part, but to each his own. I wonder if he will detect the smell of our tax dollars being burnt in the oval office's chimney?
Posted by BeaHappi on August 15, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I think it's cool. I've never toured the White House. To be able to say that you swept the White House chimneys...that's a good story.
They get to take a group photo on the roof! That's awesome...
Have a great time Mr. & Mrs. Brooks!
Posted by pfariseo on August 15, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's not about whether he meets the pres or sits in on a UN meeting, its about being the best at your field. This is a great story about a guy and his family that started from the ground up and 'made it' to the top. Congratulations are in order!
Posted by opns on August 15, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congradulations Mr. Brooks - have a great time.
Good Story!
Take it back Jr., and show that your a nice guy. Okay? OK
Posted by BeReal on August 15, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How many people can say "I can almost die now"? The man is content! That's a good thing! You don't have to go to the moon or travel around the world to be fulfilled. Some people don't have any idea what would give them that kind of fullfillment.
Mafia and svwl: Can you just be happy for someone who is happy? Come on!
Posted by originalcali on August 15, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if the white house staff will fall for the old, "you've got hairline cracks and need to buy one of my super expensive fireplace inserts" trick...
Posted by sokol_kiev on August 15, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need more of these type of positive stories highlighting citizens who have such pride and respect for our country, what it stands for and it's history!
Randy Brooks, you are a great American. I wish you and your wife, Traci, a great trip to Washington D.C. Congratulations for a well-deserved recognition.
Posted by herr_grepper on August 15, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"No one gets paid for the job, but that's of little concern to Brooks."
Now that's really working for minimum wage. You'd think they could at least pay the going rate for a chimney job. Sheesh!
Touring in D.C. is fun nonetheless. Have fun!
Posted by BeReal on August 15, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is admirable! These people are being of service, for fun and for free. You don't see that every day!
Posted by truereality on August 15, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ignore the ignorant. Props to you Randy. That is cool. Pull a Willie Nelson and spark up a joint on the roof!
Posted by opns on August 15, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree Jr. - the Headline sounded like someone in Ojai had a political position.
Posted by pfariseo on August 15, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to: opns and juniormafia - I live in Ojai and have a son working as a salaried employee of the Obama campaign right outide DC - does that count as a person from Ojai with a politial position? Or, perhaps more importantly, the dachsund next door to me was trained by the same dog trainer as the Bush' dog Barney. I'm sure they have play-dates - does that count?
Posted by lilmamma on August 15, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a great story. Have Fun Randy and take lots of pictures. Going to the White House is a chance of a lifetime and I'm happy that someone from Ventura County will be going.
Posted by opns on August 15, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pfariseo -
Ojai man gets White House job
That was the headline from the Star. Not my headline. Ask them.
Posted by opns on August 15, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pfariseo - and by the way, jr did take it back, which showed class.
We did congradulate him. Move on.
Posted by whatever on August 15, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mafia, I'm doing exactly what you have been doing to me for a long time, you follow me around and post off of anything I have to say. It is called payback. And since I don't post constantly like you do to everything I would also say you are the one that needs a life Buddy!
Posted by sparks240 on August 15, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some celebrity (Willy Nelson?) the rumor has it, smoked pot on the roof of the White House. I wonder if Mr. Brooks found any roaches.
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