FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
World of Concrete 2026 Registration Is Open ↗

2017 NCMCA Metrolina Chapter Recognition Night

Words: Lynn NashThe North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association's Metrolina (Greater Charlotte) Chapter Recognition Night was held September 26, 2017.

A number of Metrolina Chapter area masons, apprentices and masonry students won awards and contests over the last year and were recognized with a dinner in their honor along with their invited guests. Honorees received checks and hardware along with official greetings from Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) President Jeff Buczkiewicz, NCMCA President Bob Gates, and a representative from NC Eighth District Congressman Richard Hudson's office.

More than 75 members and guests attended the September event in Charlotte.

In the Photograph

Top row, left to right

Todd Hartsell, Central Cabarrus High School - SkillsUSA National Champion
Kelby Thornton's instructor and Masonry Expert for the USA WorldSkills Team

Kent Huntley, NCMCA President Elect and Apprenticeship and Training
Committee Chairman, and a partner in Huntley Brother's Company, the firm
with the 2017 NCMCA Annual Samuel A. McGee Apprentice Contest winner.

Luke Dutton, McGee Brothers - Luke will represent the United States at the
biannual 2017 WorldSkills Competition this October in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He is
a former National NCMCA SkillsUSA Winner.

Bob Gates, NCMCA President

Jeff Buczkiewicz, Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) President

Kelby Thornton, Central Cabarrus High School - 2017 NC SkillsUSA Masonry
Champion, 2017 National SkillsUSA Masonry Champion (Kelby has won both
competitions for two years in a row.)

Luis Marquez, Huntley Brothers Company - First Place MCAA Second Year
Apprentice Contest, World of Concrete 2017

Brandon Hartsell, NCMCA Regional Vice President and Metrolina Chapter
President

Chet Huntley, Huntley Brothers - 2017 "Toughest Tender" SPEC MIX Bricklayer
500

Bottom row, left to right

Cory Huneycutt, Gates Construction Company - Fourth Place in the 2017 Samuel
A. McGee Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest

Eric Kee, McGee Brothers - Fifth Place, in the 2017 Samuel A. McGee
Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest

Zackary McGee, McGee Brothers - Winner of the 2016 State Fair Apprentice
Contest

Matt Cash, Huntley Brothers - 2017 Champion SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 "The
World's Best Bricklayer"

Jamison "JK" Huntley, Huntley Brothers - David R. Sigmon Award for First
Place in the 2017 Samuel A. McGee Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest

Ellis Baucom, McGee Brothers - Second Place in the 2017 Samuel A. McGee
Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest

Kaleb McGee, McGee Brothers - Third Place in the 2017 Samuel A. McGee
Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest
 0
Finding the Right PPE for Your Work
January 2026

When it comes to PPE, one thing’s for sure: safety isn’t one size fits all. The work you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and even what time of year it is, can all make a big difference in what gear actually works. Price, comfort, and job performance all

Greg Brown
Safety Library
Read More
Back Injuries: The Real Cost and How to Prevent Them
January 2026

The mention of back injuries makes mason contractors cringe, and for good reason. Masons lift heavy objects every day, all day long. When a person sustains a back injury, it is serious. It affects every part of their life, from their ability to perform wo

Zach Everett
Safety Library
Read More
Detailing for Durability: The 2026 Guide to High-Performance Stone Veneer Transitions
January 2026

Some of the most expensive failures involving manufactured stone veneer installations don’t come from the stone at all, but rather from the material transitions and flashing around it. Transitions are weak points in the overall cladding where water can fi

Jeff Tew
Technical Talks
Read More
How TMC Is Reaching the Next Generation of Masons
January 2026

Advocacy, outreach, and education have never been more important to the future of Texas masonry. As the state continues to grow, so does the demand for skilled trades. Industry leaders, schools, and organizations are working together to make sure the next

Ashton Fairchild
Industry News
Read More