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
On May 20 - 22, you as members can voice your concern on silica
May 2014

Be a voice in your industry

Chairman’s Message

By

I received an email in March on updating the membership on several items. One of the things talked about was supporting the MCAA PAC fund, and then it listed the members who pledged and donated.

First I would like to thank all of the members who have donated and, secondly, apologize because one name was not on the list. That's right: My name was not listed. At first, I thought Jeff had made a mistake. But, no, he was correct; I hate when he is right. The point is, we all get so busy between our personal lives and running our business, we often forget to follow through on some very important things.

I assure you I will be making my contribution by the time you read this. Like all the special interest groups spending huge dollars to fight their battles, the MCAA must arm its war chest to fight for the masonry industry. If you have not yet donated, please do so soon.

One battle we are fighting presently is OSHA’s proposed new rule on silica. This rule, if passed, would cut the PEL in half. I spent a day in Washington, D.C., listening to the arguments from both sides. The MCAA, along with our coalition partners, is spending significant dollars and resources. We believe the present ASTM standard on silica should be part of the specification in building projects.

OSHA would be better served by educating the contractors on silica, rather than trying to enforce something that is unattainable. Contractors realize the most valuable asset they have is their employees, and that their safety must come first. We are blessed to have The Keelen Group guiding our effort.

On May 20 - 22, you as members can voice your concern on silica, the Check Off Program and other important issues facing your business. As I have stated in the past, the time is now for both the Check Off and silica. I cannot remember two bigger issues, ever. Please make every effort to attend the MCAA Legislative Fly-In. Help yourself by being a voice in your industry. You can register online at www.masoncontractors.org/legconf. I look forward to seeing you at this very important event.

After spending a day in D.C. for the silica hearings, I returned home for one day only, and then left for Tampa to meet with Canadian Contractors. It was an interesting meeting with the CMCA, and I was grateful for the invitation. They made us feel very comfortable.

Jeff and I had dinner the first night with John Blair, the executive director, Kerry Donaghey, the president and the rest of the staff. During our meetings, it was interesting to hear their concerns about what has happened to the United States and how they view our political system. We shared ideas about our two organizations and talked about the future of the masonry industry.

One of the big concerns they have is the lack of increased productivity and the effects this has against competing systems. We attended their board meeting the next day, and gave them an update on what the MCAA was working on. I invited them to attend our annual convention in Las Vegas and to attend our Masonry Symposium of Ideas.

I spent the next Monday through Wednesday in Las Vegas with the rest of the MCAA. Monday night, we had a great meeting with Extreme Forklift, who not only have decided to be a partner, but also want to get involved with the MCAA. We had our wrap-up meeting with Hanley Wood for the 2014 convention. We then discussed Masonry Madness and attaining more space out in the Gold Lot.

Lastly, I want to give you a quick update on the MCAA Masonry Foundation. We have finalized the key regional people who will go out and promote the five-year pledges needed. Eventually, someone will contact you to discuss making a five-year pledge; please dig deep into those pockets. There is a saying it is better to give than receive, but in this case, you get both. By giving you are getting a return on your future.

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

Busy Times!

November 2010
Busy Times!

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

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Todd Witmer
The Witmer Group
MCAA member since 1995

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