About Us - NFI Certified Staff

 NFI Certified Staff

Harnessing the beauty and warmth of fire for the home is not a do-it-yourself project or something you should necessarily trust to the lowest bidder. Both for safety and performance, hearth products require considerable technical knowledge and skill in the designing and installation of them.

An excellent indication of competence is an individual’s training and testing. In the hearth products industry, the National Fireplace Institute® is the independent, nonprofit certification agency that produces professional training materials and conducts nationwide testing of technical knowledge and skills.

NFI Certification means that an individual has passed a rigorous examination based on a training manual that has been reviewed by industry experts. Certification may be earned by hearth industry professionals in three hearth specialties:
• NFI Gas Specialist
• NFI Woodburning Specialist
• NFI Pellet Specialist

Here are Hearth & Home, we believe it is important for our installation team as well as our sales staff and management to continue their education in the hearth industry. Today we are proud to have the most NFI Certified Hearth Specialists on staff in all of Illinois!

Visit our Showroom or Contact Us for more information.

 
 
Robert (Pat) O'Donnell

Owner and President: Having been in the industry for 30+ years, Pat recently decided to take a break and spent most of 2010 and 2011 relaxing in front of the TV in his favorite chair, with his faithful golden retriever (Ronan) at his side. Back working full time, Pat is looking forward to brushing up on all of the NFI intricacies, even though he feels like he could write a better manual himself.

***NFI Expiration: Working Toward Recertification
 
 
Mary O'Donnell Schappert

Store Owner and Manager of the Patio Furniture Division: Mary has over 25 years of experience in the Hearth, Patio and BBQ industry. In her free time she enjoys reading Casual Living Magazine and coming in to the store to catch up on work.

***NFI Expiration 2/29/12
 
 
Ed Schappert

Fireplace Coordinator and Salesman: Ed has been in the industry for 15 years. He is an avid Blackhawks fan and is looking forward to watching his 8-year old twin boys playing in the NHL some day.

***NFI Expiration 9/30/14
 
 
George Z.

Lead Installer: George is in his eighth year here at Hearth & Home. When he's not climbing chimneys, he can be found at the CCC playing goalie for a renowned hockey team or babysitting his new granddaughter (his first!).

***NFI Expiration 5/31/14