Amerimix
CrewTracks
EZ Scaffold Corp.
EZG Manufacturing
Hydro Mobile, Inc.
Loot
Non-Stop Scaffolding
PROSOCO, Inc.
SOLA/Keson
SPEC MIX LLC
Stabila
Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide
November 2010

Busy Times!

President’s Message

By

I know when you see this headline that you are thinking this writer has lost his mind. I can assure you that I am not talking about the number of jobs we have on our books, or are even working on now.

The report I hear from border to border and from seashore to seashore is really simple: “We are not busy.” I am sure there are a few pockets around that are busy with cheap work. So you know now, I am not talking about the amount of work we are doing currently.

What I am talking about is the amount of work we are doing preparing for the future. Recently, I had the privilege to attend the Masonry Association of Florida’s Convention in St. Petersburg, and I left impressed and excited. These folks are laying ground work with Pro Masonry and Vision 20/20 so that, when the economy comes back, they will be facing an immediate problem, and that will be manpower. However, they do have a great apprentice program that will rise to meet the needs. Shortly after that, I was able to go to Arizona and meet with their two state groups in Phoenix. There you have the Arizona Masonry Contractors and the Arizona Masonry Guile. One represents the mason contractors and the other represents the suppliers. It amazed me how they all came together for the purpose of preparing for the future. We know associations have been forced into red ink with a bad economy, but this group has a plan that will turn red to black. They also have some great programs, and now have Vision 20/20 working for them. I am sure there are many more associations around the country just as busy preparing for the future. It works when the mason contractor and all supplier associations work together for a common cause.

Along with these state associations, we are very busy at MCAA. Not only are we doing our best to support the state associations, but we are also at work, trying to make the pie bigger for us to get a piece of. In previous publications, I have mentioned our efforts concerning MILCON. We have made some great strides in bringing military construction back to us, and we are right at the finish line. Now we are starting phase II of this effort and it will take us beyond just military construction. We are now ready to build some additional models that compare masonry construction with other competitive products. This project is going to cost in excess of $40,000 dollars, but the return on our investment will far exceed that. We are going to need your help in funding this project. The entire masonry industry will benefit from this effort. Even if you are not a member of MCAA, send a small check to our office to help support this effort as you will benefit from it.

I was in Washington, D.C., last week, and I met with our lobbyist. They continue to open doors. We are now asking them to help us find available grant money that will allow us to do more research programs proving masonry construction is far superior to any other product. We will also be seeking educational grants that can be used in engineering and architect training. As these doors open, there will be more!

Yes, we are busy for the future. As a result, I know the future will be good for all of us. Get involved in your associations and MCAA, and we will work for the industry together. Until next time, this old cowboy says, “Shoot for the moon and, even if you miss, you will land among the stars.”

Chairman’s Message Archive

The American Dream

August 2019
The American Dream

Doing Our Part

May 2019
Doing Our Part

Preparing for D.C.

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

Recent Updates

September 2018
Recent Updates

Masonry’s Future

August 2018
Masonry’s Future

Worthwhile Work

June 2018
Worthwhile Work

A New Beginning

February 2018
A New Beginning

Givers Gain

January 2018
Givers Gain

Things to Remember

March 2017
Things to Remember

Looking Forward

February 2017
Looking Forward

A Fresh Start

January 2017
A Fresh Start

Who Moved My Cheese?

September 2016
Who Moved My Cheese?

Giving back

December 2015
Giving back

An exciting year ahead

February 2015
An exciting year ahead

Defining success

December 2014
Defining success

Staying busy for you

August 2014
Staying busy for you

Ready for action

February 2014
Ready for action

Thanks

January 2014
Thanks

Happy holidays

December 2013
Happy holidays

MCAA Midyear update

November 2013
MCAA Midyear update

The MCAA in D.C.

August 2013
The MCAA in D.C.

A Lot Happening

July 2013
A Lot Happening

Eye opening

June 2013
Eye opening

Positive movement

March 2013
Positive movement

Headed to Vegas

February 2013
Headed to Vegas

New beginning

January 2013
New beginning

It’s finally over

December 2012
It’s finally over

My trip to the Rockies

November 2012
My trip to the Rockies

The 2012 election

October 2012
The 2012 election

Stay involved

September 2012
Stay involved

Networking

August 2012
Networking

Summer time

July 2012
Summer time

Exciting time

June 2012
Exciting time

Working for you

May 2012
Working for you

New beginnings

March 2012
New beginnings

Farewell!

February 2012
Farewell!

One more to go!

January 2012
One more to go!

Join us in Vegas

November 2011
Join us in Vegas

As the world turns

August 2011
As the world turns

A Bright Future

May 2011
A Bright Future

Tidbits From MCAA

March 2011
Tidbits From MCAA

Time Flies By

February 2011
Time Flies By

The End of the Year

December 2010
The End of the Year

South of 40

October 2010
South of 40

What Are We Doing?

August 2010
What Are We Doing?

Moving Forward

March 2010
Moving Forward

A Fond Farewell

February 2010
A Fond Farewell

A New Year

January 2010
A New Year

Start the Year Strong

December 2009
Start the Year Strong

MCAA in D.C.

September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

Brick Voids

August 2009
Brick Voids

Vision 2020

February 2009
Vision 2020

State of the Association

February 2009
State of the Association

The Silver Lining

January 2009
The Silver Lining

Impact on the Hill

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

New Horizons

February 2008
New Horizons

Wrapping up Another Year

December 2007
Wrapping up Another Year

Greetings From Italy!

November 2007
Greetings From Italy!

We Need Your Help!

January 2005
We Need Your Help!

The Strength of Unity

November 2003
The Strength of Unity

Changing of the Guard

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

“The opportunity to ‘talk shop’ with other mason contractors is extremely valuable.”

Joe Bonifate
Arch Masonry & Restoration
MCAA member since 2012

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