A Father and Son Team

Words: Dan KamysIn this case, "Father does know best." The father is Bret Pickens, and he has been a masonry instructor for 22 years. In that time, he has sponsored six national masonry contestants, including the 1991 winner. It's no surprise, therefore, that his son, Chad, is well taught.

Following just his first year in the masonry program at Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater, Okla., Chad won his state masonry contest. As a result, he represented Oklahoma this past summer in the secondary division of the national masonry contest held in conjunction with the 40th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Other honors came quickly as well. Chad was the Oklahoma A.G.C. scholarship winner and placed third in Oklahoma's "Fastest Trowel" contest, sponsored by Dolese.

Masonry is not the only thing that keeps Chad busy. He's very active in his school, his church, in agriculture, and he works, too. For two years, Chad was Vice President of the Future Farmers of America chapter in Stillwater. His active commitment to his church includes two recent mission trips to Honduras, where he assisted with the construction of a school. Chad also works as a farm and ranch hand and as a laborer for Mike White Masonry and Pickens Masonry.

A senior in high school, Chad will complete the masonry program this year and plans to attend college next year.

Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q2
June 2026

This issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk.

The Thirty-Year Mason: Ergonomics as a Retention Strategy
June 2026

In most industry circles, the conversation around the labor shortage follows a predictable script: How do we find the next generation of masons? While recruitment is vital, we often overlook the most valuable asset already on the job site: the experienced

Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma