Jim - President, Black Goose Chimney
Jim Bostaph was born and raised in Erie, PA. He majored in classical music in college. For the past 19 years, he has been the organist for Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News. Jim enjoys wine tasting & collecting. Something few people know about Jim is that he used to be a wine importer. Jim is married to Barbara Crowe (32 years); they moved to VA in 1977 and have 2 girls, Emily & Sarah – 18 & 21. They also have 5 cats and a dog – Princess Sophia.
Jim spent 8 years as a Realtor before opening Black Goose Chimney Sweep in 1993. Favorite types of work include animal rescue & removal, and historical renovations & restorations.
He is a member of the Better Business Bureau, the National Fire Protection Association, and the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Jim is the regional vice-president and state treasurer of the Virginia Association of Chimney and Hearth Professionals.
The National Fireplace Institute has certified Jim as a Wood Burning Specialist and the Chimney Safety Institute of America has certified him as a Certified Chimney Sweep and as a Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician. Fireplace Investigation, Research, & Education Service has certified him as an Inspector. Jim has been retained as an expert witness in numerous cases. He has taught state, regional, and national seminars on numerous topics. He is also an instructor for the Chimney Repairer apprenticeship program. Jim is on the ethics committee at the national Chimney Sweep Guild and was recently appointed to the board of directors for the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
Jim’s burning desire is to raise public awareness of chimney and venting safety by bringing 21st century technology to a centuries-old trade.
