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Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide
We received very optimistic reports on the CMU Check-Off Program in Orlando.
April 2016

MCAA: Looking out for your interests

Chairman’s Message

By

As I write, I am on my way back to Phoenix from Orlando, Fla., after attending the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) convention. Although we had just visited with the NCMA officers during the MCAA convention in Las Vegas in February, it is always good to get together and update each other on our initiatives and planned events.

While in Orlando, we received very optimistic reports on the Check-Off Program. While I don’t want to jinx it, it appears we may be getting close to the finish line. Many people from both NCMA and MCAA have put a lot of work into this effort for the past five years, but it will be very rewarding once complete and we are able to fund our industry initiatives. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, but also keep up the hard work until we are assured of a victory. It’s not time to let up now!

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to judge a regional Masonry Skills contest for about eight high schools. I have done this before many times, but this time was a little different. An instructor came up to me and asked for help obtaining materials, and for someone to stop by his class occasionally to provide instruction. I said, “Of course, I can arrange that.” Isn’t that exactly what we want to happen — to get into the schools and give them what they need in order to teach masonry in their classes, and then to recruit from those schools? I must have been an easy touch because very soon afterward, the word was out to the other instructors, and nearly all of them asked for the same thing. I have been assured by our suppliers that they will get the schools everything they need. In addition, one of the instructors told me he had two students interested in masonry jobs when they graduate. That is what we really want.

On Feb. 29 in Washington, D.C., Jeff Buczkiewicz, Mark Kemp, Rashod Johnson and Joe Bonifate testified in front of the Office of Management and Budget to try to halt the new, reckless OSHA rule regarding silica exposure in the workplace. If the rule goes into effect, it will have a devastating effect on mason contractors across the country. The MCAA is always on the lookout for needless rules and regulations that will hurt our businesses now or in the future.

Speaking of Washington, you should have received emails notifying you of our DC Fly-In on May 18–20. If you haven’t seen the emails, go to our website (www.masoncontractors.org) for all the information regarding this event. For those who have attended in the past, you know how important this trip is, and I hope you are able to return this year. For those who have not been able to attend, I invite you to come along this year. While you may be a little unsure of yourself at first, after a couple of office visits you will find it extremely easy. On your first visits, a member of the Keelen Group or an MCAA officer will help out until you decide you are willing to go it alone. It is very exciting to meet your member of Congress or senior staff person and tell them what is helping or hurting you in running your business back home. You will have their undivided attention, and they appreciate that the issue is so important to you that you traveled to D.C. to talk to them about it in person. You will receive talking points for the important issues for MCAA members, or you can discuss any other issues that are important to you.

It won’t be all work while you are there, either. We will have plenty of time to network with other members or see some sites. This year we are adding an optional extra day to visit Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, on May 17. We will spend the day visiting the site and enjoying a scenic lunch along the banks of the Potomac. All travel arrangements will be provided by MCAA for this trip, and I will guarantee you a fun time.

While the Orlando trip was my first official trip as MCAA chairman, I am looking forward to much more travel and meeting members and their state chapters or local associations in the coming months. Let me know what the MCAA can help you with, and I will bring that back to our board for discussion. In my travels over the next couple years, MCAA’s vice chairman (and my wing man), Paul Odom, will be joining me whenever possible, as will the treasurer, Paul Oldham, and secretary, Larry Vacala. My wife, Colleen, and Paul Odom’s wife, Susie, will be making many of the trips along with us. You will soon see that they have never met a stranger, and they are looking forward to visiting you in your home cities. The ladies were just discussing how much we will enjoy traveling together and meeting new friends. Please follow me on Twitter @AZMason1, and connect with me on LinkedIn to join me during my travels.

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

“The MCAA is always a great resource for information.”

Travis Frantz
United Masonry Incorporated
MCAA member since 2006

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