Meet the Co-Owners

Eric Yanasak
Eric YanasakPresident
Where did you grow up?
Brookfield

Football, baseball or basketball?
“None of the above.” You’ll probably find him watching a good movie instead.

How do you like your steak?
Rare, preferably a porterhouse with sautéed mushrooms

Jeremy Abrahamson
Jeremy AbrahamsonVice President
Where did you grow up?
Nekoosa

Football, baseball, or basketball?
Football. “I’m actually a big Vikings guy,, and I take a lot of heat for that. But when it comes to any other sport I am true to Wisconsin — Bucks, Brewers, you name it.”

How do you like your steak?
Medium well, preferably tenderloin or filet mignon

In some ways, Eric and Jeremy have grown up at Smoke Stacks.

Eric knew Kurt, the Smoke Stacks founder, from around the neighborhood as he was growing up. While he wasn’t allowed to climb roofs at 15, he got a job loading bricks, mixing mortars, building forms and doing what he could. Over time, he learned the trade from Kurt and started working there full-time.

Jeremy joined Smoke Stakes at 20. A friend suggested he move to Milwaukee to explore jobs there, and Smoke Stacks was the first offer he got. Just like Kurt, he started out as a laborer before learning more about the trade from Kurt and the experienced Smoke Stacks team. “I grew to love it right away.”

The two developed a close friendship and have shared life’s milestones with each other. Kurt eventually transitioned the business to Eric and Jeremy, who became co-owners in 2022.

Eric and Jeremy take pride in creating a supportive workplace for their employees, helping them develop their skills and take care of their well-being. “I always say it’s my job as the owner to make sure our team wants to show up every day to work,” said Eric. “And I take that very, very seriously.”

Another point of pride: carrying on the Smoke Stacks tradition of honest, dependable service for their customers. “We work hard to find a solution that won’t just be a short-term fix,” said Jeremy.

Whether it’s for an appliance chimney or a family room fireplace, their work helps keep families safe, comfortable and cozy. “Fire is a prehistoric thing that has brought people together since the dawn of time,” said Eric. “I like that we help provide that experience.”

In their spare time, they are both avid foragers, hunting in the woods for wild, edible mushrooms and plants. Jeremy also spends lots of time with his young twin boys.

Our Team Members

Smoke Stacks Team
DeMario, CSIA
DeMario, CSIALead Chimney Technician
DeMario loves his job at Smoke Stacks because he gets to meet new people every day as he works on inspections and cleanings. He’s a certified chimney sweep and a licensed mason who also runs a barber shop and is raising two teen-agers. So it’s probably no surprise to hear what he likes to do when he has down time: “Just sit down and be quiet,” he says with a laugh.

Where did you grow up?
Mississippi through age 8, then Milwaukee

Football, baseball, or basketball?
Football

How do you like your steak?
Well done

Romell, CSIA
Romell, CSIAChimney Technician
Being the youngest of seven children has its pros and cons, Romell says. But it seems to have paid off in at least one way: He’s comfortable around people and likes the many he gets to meet on the job. Along with the variety of work he does, from diagnostics to tuck-pointing, “it never gets old.” Romell has his chimney safety certification and is CPR certified. Ask him what he’s binge-watching on Netflix these days — that’s his favorite way to relax.

Where did you grow up?
Lake Geneva

Football, baseball, or basketball?
Basketball (The Bucks)

How do you like your steak?
He doesn’t! Prefers chicken or fish

Ryan
RyanProduction Lead
Ryan is a 20-year industry veteran, but joined Smoke Stacks just this year. Multi-tasking—making sure all aspects of a job are organized and accounted for, from the scaffolding setup, to the materials, to the scheduling—keeps him busy and happy. He’d heard great things about Smoke Stacks from Sarah, and is delighted to say that everything she said is true. “I love working with the people here. I like the values and who they are as a company, especially their honesty and transparency.” When not working, he enjoys outings with his wife and son, taking their two Samoyeds to the dog park.

Where did you grow up?
Brookfield

Football, baseball, or basketball?
All of them! “But golf is the only sport my body can take any more!

How do you like your steak?
Medium rare, with mushrooms. Preferably on date nights with his wife at Capital Grille.

Sarah
SarahOffice Manager
Sarah has worked in a wide variety of jobs — everything from security and factory work to holistic health and customer service — but says she found her best fit at Smoke Stacks. She loves seeing the owners support their staff and deliver great service while continually growing the business. Her favorite part of the job? “The people I work with, for sure.” When Sarah relaxes, it’s usually with a good historical fiction book.

Where did you grow up?
On a farm in Franklin, then in Milwaukee

Football, baseball, or basketball?
None. “I’d rather read a book.”

How do you like your steak?
Medium rare.