Meet Our Staff

Jonathan Kraft
N.F.I. Certified, Sales

 Jonathan joined the Southern Hearth Team 4 years ago as a stock clerk. Learning the ins and outs of fireplaces from flue pipe to controls to air mixers, he quickly worked his way into a fireplace installers position. His ability to interact with customers was appearent early on, and, mixed with his knowledge of fireplace codes and combustion guidelines, he was an easy choice to join our sales staff in 2006.
 A top sales person from begining, he is a also a graduate of nearly all our manufacturer's technical training programs including Travis Industries, Mendota Technical, Napoleon Fireplaces and Monesson Fireplace's installer program, he is also N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institue) certified in gas fueled fireplace systems. If you have any questions or need any help with anything fireplace, Jonathan is the man to see.

Stephen Cordell
Inventory Control, Shipping & Receiving

 Stephen has been at Southern Hearth for more than 3 years. He honed his logistics expertise as a professional musician touring with names like Quiot Riot, Ted Nugent, Tesla, Vince Neil, 3 Doors Down and Mighty Sideshow. His ability to track orders and move your products in and out quickly and efficiently is a tremendous asset to our company.

Clay Dennis
President / Owner

 With 15 years experience in the hearth and patio business, Clay has been an industry leader in introducing new technologies and product lines to his customers. He has been sought out by companies like R.H.Peterson and Heatmaster to design new gas log sets for their product lines as well as input into engineering and product burner design. He has made a name for himself for his beliefs and support of American Made products, as well as HPBA (Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association) technical and sales training programs. In 2006, he was invited to join Hearth Masters, an organization of industry professionals with more than 10 years in the fireplace industry.

 When asked about his product lines, Clay is quick to respond, " Cosmetics and trends aside, if I don't think the quality of a particular product or product line is good enough for my own home, I won't ask a customer to put it in theirs."

Brian "Gramps" Chandler
N.F.I. Certified, Senior Installer, Master Gas Fitter, Journeyman

 Brian is one of the most experienced fireplace installers in the business, with more than 12 years on the job training. He has completed certification programs from Jotul (wood stoves), Hayward (pool heaters), Rinnai (water heaters), Mendota Fireplaces, Napoleon Fireplaces, and R.H. Peterson gas logs. He has held a Master Gas Fitter's and Journeyman's license for the past 11 years in the city, county and state. 
 Brian is also N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institue) certified in gas fueled fireplace systems, and is a constant source of information for contractors, and architects alike.

Rocky
Waste Management Expert, Pest Control Expert

Rocky came to us nearly two years ago and is an intregal part of our "waste  management " team. Not much for conversation, he's a reliable worker who is always ready to help clean up paper plates and cups from our grilling classes. His favorite day is, of course, Friday, when we empty out the employee's lounge refrigerator.