Self-motivated Mason Learns Quickly

Words: Dan KamysYoung and ambitious, 19-year-old Bryce Cude of Ogden, Utah, is the Masonry Apprentice of the Month.

When he was just a high school junior and in his first year of masonry instruction at Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, Cude tied for first place in the state masonry contest. As a senior, he won the contest outright. As a result, Cude represented Utah at the National Masonry Contest held last June in Kansas City, Mo., as part of the SkillsUSA National Championships.

Rick Brown, who has sponsored National Masonry Contest participants five of the past six years, has provided Cude with important, quality instruction in masonry.

These days, Cude is working as a brick and block layer for Wilcox Masonry. When he's not working, he's either fly tying or fly fishing.

Australian Bricks vs American Bricks: What 24 Hours of Travel Teaches You About the Trade
June 2026

Bricklaying might not change simply because you cross a state line. It does change when you travel 24 hours to the other side of the world and lay bricks under lights, cameras, and a stopwatch. The fundamentals of the trade are universal. Brick, mortar,

2026 Masonry Foundation Grants Now Open
June 2026

The Masonry Foundation is dedicated to advancing the masonry industry and is accepting grant applications for 2026. Proposals should have national reach and aim to generate substantial progress within the masonry industry. To explore examples of past gra

The “Small Job” Safety Trap: Why Safety Sometimes Fades When the Spotlight Disappears
June 2026

Before I was fortunate enough to lead Malta Dynamics, I spent a couple of years as a traveling salesman for the company. My territory covered the entire country (and some beyond), and in a typical year, I visited more than 100 jobsites across nearly every

Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace
June 2026

As a business owner and leader, taking the mental health of your employees seriously and understanding how it can impact their work is essential. In fact, one in five adults experiences a mental health condition annually. Addressing mental health is more