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Ashley Eldridge to Retire as NCSG and CSIA Education Director November 30, 2017 Plainfield, IN- The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) today announced the retirement of longtime Director of Education, Ashley Eldridge. Mr. Eldridge’s retirement is effective at close of business on Friday, December 29, 2017. CSIA President Chuck Hall, owner of Winston’s Chimney in Fairfax, VA called Eldridge an “industry icon” and that his “knowledge and commitment to our industry, will be sorely missed.” Mr. Eldridge began his role with the NCSG and CSIA in 1993 after operating his own successful chimney service company and founding the Virginia Chimney Sweep Guild (now the Mid-Atlantic Chimney Association). During his tenure both organizations oversaw continued industry growth while successfully meeting the challenges of modernization in technology in training in the chimney service industry. Accomplishments during his time include: the opening of the CSIA Technology Center, the creation of new courses, and the introduction and expansion of the many online course offerings of the CSIA. Additionally, Mr. Eldridge was instrumental in the creation of the Certified Dryer Vent Technician® certification. “Ashley Eldridge, the name says it all. He has forgotten more about chimneys than I will ever know. His dedication to teach others is remarkable. He didn't want us just to pass a test, he wanted us to go out and be successful and save homes and lives. I've looked up to Ashley most of my life, I really appreciated his ability to look beyond the black and white on the paper and work in the area of common sense. I’d like to thank him for his service to the National Chimney Sweep Guild and this industry,” said NCSG President Jasper Drengler. From his many television appearances, Mr. Eldridge has served as an industry ambassador for much of his tenure with the organizations. Most notably, in 2005, he represented CSIA on Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, in addition to countless print and radio interviews. Eldridge leaves the industry as a Don Leavitt Education Award recipient and the only two-time NCSG President’s Award winner. NCSG & CSIA Association Manager, Megan McMahon, added, “it has truly been an honor to work alongside of Ashley the last 10 years. He has shown me nothing but constant support and encouragement in every aspect of my life. I am forever grateful for the wisdom he shared with me, his dedication to an industry he loves so dearly and for his friendship. I think I speak for each of my team when I say he will truly be missed and we wish him nothing but happiness and success in his new adventure in life. On behalf of the CSIA and NCSG board and staff, we are happy to say that his legacy will remain at the Tech Center in the form of the Ashley Eldridge Scholarship.” The Ashley Eldridge Scholarship provides tuition the National Chimney Sweep Training School to promising students in need to assist them in their educational journey. “It has been my honor to associate with the chimney sweeps all over the world in their common efforts to improve the safety of everyone that is dependent on the proper venting of their appliance,” said Mr. Eldridge. ###