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.
OSHA’s 2025 Top Violations: What the Numbers Reveal for Masonry and Construction
March 2026

Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes its list of the most frequently cited workplace safety standards based on federal inspection data. The purpose is simple: show employers where hazards are consistently being fou

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

The Power of the STABILA Laser Technology
March 2026

In modern construction, accuracy is no longer a luxury; it is an expectation. From interior layouts to large-scale site preparation, professionals rely on tools that deliver fast, reliable, and accurate results. Among the most influential innovations of r

More Than Just A Material: Why Workforce Development Matters
March 2026

I was asked by the MCAA to share my path and objectives for Masonry Promotion and Outreach that I have worked on in NC over the years. To do that, I want to take you through my path and the key industry people that it took to impacted me for a lifelong ca