National apprentice contest

Words: Dan KamysWinner of the 14th annual National Apprenticeship contest held recently in St. Louis, Mo., was Ronald Pfleger, Local No. 2, Mo. Gary Hempel, Seattle, Wash. placed with with Denny Wayne Beitler, Ft. Worth, Texas, third. Fourth and fifth place winners were Thomas F. Doidge, Los Angeles, and George Dale, Newburgh, N.Y.

An estimated 211,500 persons visited this years Union Industries Exposition with the Apprentice Contest being one of the highlights of the entire show. Attentive crowds lined the walls of the Bricklayers' Exhibit with the greatest number on the third and final night of the competition.

At the annual Apprenticeship Banquet preceding the contest MCAA officials gathered to meet the apprentices. In attendance were: James Lonie, President; Les Dietrich, Vice President; Jack Cook, and Herman May, Regional Vice Presidents; Donald Bidwell, Secretary and Frank Zoubek, Treasurer. Also attending were: Herschel Hunt, Apprentice Committee Chairman; Frank Laureys, Illinois Vice President; Richard DeWalle, Missouri Vice President; Harold W. Person and Fred Daues, MCAA Presidents; T. Walter Kirk, MCAA By-Laws Committee Chairman; George A. Miller, Executive Vice President and members of the St. Louis Chapter.
Executing Color-Driven Designs Without Compromising Craftsmanship
March 2026

On today’s jobsites, masonry contractors are being asked to do more than install manufactured stone veneer (MSV). They’re being asked to interpret design trends and execute them with precision. Homeowners arrive with curated Pinterest boards. Designers r

The Enduring Aesthetic Power of Brick
March 2026

For centuries, brick has shaped the built environment in ways that few materials can match. From the stately facades of historic campuses to the bold, contemporary forms of modern civic buildings, brick is both a foundation of architectural tradition and

Expert Tips for Brick Installation
March 2026

Clay brick has long been valued for both its durability and aesthetic appeal, but achieving a clean, consistent build that will endure for a lifetime depends just as much on jobsite discipline, install strategy, and preventative moisture management as it

Combining Modern Healthcare with Tribal Design: Nisqually Health & Wellness Center
March 2026

The Nisqually Health & Wellness Center is a project that the wonderful team here at Warfield Masonry completed in 2020. Built on the Nisqually Reservation (near Olympia, Washington), this project incorporates a variety of masonry materials into its tribal