FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction is Now Open ↗

Canez named 2012 Fastest Trowel

Words: Mason Contractors/Public/News/20120131080000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Mike Canez III, 2012 Fastest Trowel on the Block winner, with his tenders, Manuel Coronado and Issac Perez." />
Mike Canez III, 2012 Fastest Trowel on the Block winner, with his tenders, Manuel Coronado and Issac Perez.
Masons and their tenders were highlighted at the 2012 MCAA Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry on January 25, 2012. The annual Fastest Trowel on the Block competition drew a big audience to catch the action and see who would win the $6,000 grand prize.

The Fastest Trowel on the Block showcases the skill of masons and how important teamwork is in accomplishing a final product. The competition pitted the masons from across the United States and Canada against one another in a show of both speed and craftsmanship. Each contestant's goal was to complete as much of an 18-block-long wall as possible. With the 20-minute time limit that was placed on the contestants, they had to make split-second decisions based on the judging criteria.

Each mason worked quickly to build a quality wall while the crowd cheered them on through the twenty minute competition. After the judges completed their scoring, the results were announced.

The top-placing contestants in this year’s competition were:

/Public/News/20120131080000-2.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="2012 Fastest Trowel on the Block, First Place - Mike Canez III">
2012 Fastest Trowel on the Block, First Place - Mike Canez III

First Place

Mike Canez III
Triple M Masonry
Phoenix, AZ
Tenders: Manuel Coronado, Issac Perez

Mike Canez III joined the masonry industry through his family’s trade. He placed 3rd in the 2002 Fastest Trowel on the Block, 2nd in the 2007 Fastest Trowel on the Block, and won the 2006 and 2012 competitions.

/Public/News/20120131080000-3.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="2012 Fastest Trowel on the Block, Second Place - Bob Christensen">
2012 Fastest Trowel on the Block, Second Place - Bob Christensen

Second Place

Bob Christensen
A.S.R. Constructors
Riverside, CA
Tenders: Shawn Romano, Victor Lozono

Bob Christensen joined the masonry industry in 1979. He earned his contractor license and currently works for A.S.R. Constructors. He placed 3rd in the 2010 competition and 2nd in 2012.

/Public/News/20120131080000-4.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="2012 Fastest Trowel on the Block, Third Place - Kris Chee">
2012 Fastest Trowel on the Block, Third Place - Kris Chee

Third Place

Kris Chee
Rhino Masonry, Inc.
Mesa, AZ
Tenders: Luis Vargas, Ricky Esparza

Kris Chee has worked in the masonry industry for over ten years. He placed 3rd in the 2009 and 2012 Fastest Trowel on the Block competitions, and won the 2010 and 2011 competitions.

Winners were presented with trophies, plus first place took home $6,000 and a special trophy from Marshalltown, second place received $2,500, and $1,500 was awarded to third place. All contestants received a Marshalltown tool bag and tools, a Grout Grunt, and additional prizes.

The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to thank the judges from across the country for donating their time and expertise:
  • Moroni Mejia, Rhino Masonry, Inc.; Mesa, Ariz.
  • Robert Collins, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #4 CA; Irwindale, Calif.
  • Bobby Gladu, Artisan Masonry, Inc.; Garland, Texas
  • Heath Holdaway, IMS Masonry, Inc.; Lindon, Utah
  • Curtis Hoover, Anne Arundle County Public Schools; Stevensville, Md.
  • Eugene Johnson Lake Marion High School; Santee, S.C.
  • Alonza Lewis; Columbia, S.C.
  • David Peloke, Foley Masonry and Tile; Tucson, Ariz.
  • Nick Wilson, IMS Masonry, Inc.; Lindon, Utah
And a special thank you to the sponsors, service/material and prize donors for their contributions including:
  • SPEC MIX, Inc.
  • QUIKRETE
  • Angelus Block Co.
  • Marshalltown
  • Gatorback
  • Grout Grunt
  • Linovation Corporation
The Fastest Trowel on the Block is hosted annually by the MCAA during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas. The competition is a showcase of industry craftsmanship and a testament of both the speed and skill of our industry’s workforce. For more information about the competition, please visit www.fastesttrowel.com.
 0
Remembering John Chrysler
May 2026

The masonry industry lost one of its most steadfast champions with the passing of John Chrysler at his home in Texas. He is survived by his wife, Debbie.

Dan Kamys
Read More
The Gary Joyner Masonry Scholarship: Investing In The Future
May 2026

The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA) Eastern Chapter has launched the Gary Joyner Masonry Scholarship at Pitt Community College in Greenville, North Carolina. The annual award honors one of the trade's most influential figures while

Industry News
Read More
Design Choices That Endure: Specification and Installation Go Hand-in-Hand
May 2026

Design decisions don’t live on paper; they live on the wall, the ceiling, the floor, and throughout every space. Today’s projects are driven by highly curated design intent, from layered color palettes to mixed-material façades. But once those decisions

Jeff Tew
MAP Partner
Read More
Shaver And Spencer Are 2026's Masonry Hall Of Fame Inductees
May 2026

After a record-breaking 27 nominations, the MCAA is pleased to announce that the selection committee has chosen Ryan Shaver and John Spencer to enter the Masonry Hall Of Fame. They will be formally inducted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 during the MC

Read More