Jenkins, Johnson, O'Connor, and Odom Are 2021's Masonry Hall of Fame Inductees

The Mason Contractors Association To Honor Industry Standouts During MCAA Midyear Meeting

By Dan Kamys

On Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 during the MCAA's Midyear Meeting, the Mason Contractors Association of America will induct four individuals into the Masonry Hall of Fame.

The Masonry Hall of Fame was created to recognize and award those individuals who have dedicated their lives to the masonry industry. Each year, nominations are accepted to recognize individuals who have been a part of the masonry industry for 25 years or more and have had a major impact on the trade.

All inductees are nominated by their peers and carefully reviewed by a panel of judges. Nominees must receive two-thirds of the eligible votes in order to be accepted into the Hall of Fame.

The 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees are: Teddy Jenkins, Eugene Johnson, Jim O'Connor, and Paul Odom.

Teddy Jenkins

Teddy began his masonry career in the 1960’s in the residential market. Several years later Teddy wanted to do commercial work and created what is known today as Jenkins Masonry, INC. He continued to grow his business with hard work and dedication throughout the years, all while raising a wonderful family that he considers his greatest life work. His company has grown into a third generation successful family business employing up to 100 people per year and doing up to 11 million in sales.

Teddy has served the Masonry Industry in many ways including: training the future generations of masons, growing an ethical and quality business model, serving and leading within Industry organizations to promote and improve the masonry trade, and through civic contributions to his community.

Eugene Johnson

Eugene Johnson started his career in 1967 as a sophomore in high school. Upon graduating high school and completing two years at Denmark Technical College, he worked in the industry for ten years. He began his teaching career in 1980, providing instruction and evaluation for 40 to 50 students annually.

Throughout his thirty-seven year teaching career, he oversaw the first female to compete on the state level, instructed fifteen first place winners on the district level, ten second place and one state winner. He is an NCCER certified instructor, SkillsUSA advisor, Judge of National Skills Masonry Competition and Masonry Skills Challenge. He has served as President and Secretary of the National Masonry Instructors Association.

Jim O'Connor

Jim’s father, "James P. O'Connor Sr." worked at Beck Brick for almost 40 years and brought a young Jim into the industry as a teenager. He worked weekends there in the brickyard and immediately developed a great rapport with customers and the staff. Jim's passion for Masonry continued when he was offered and accepted the position of Executive Secretary of the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago.

Jim has been a tireless supporter and advocate for masonry. His drive, his determination, and his perseverance, are all modestly hidden in a guys-guy exterior, beneath his jokes, his sports stories, and and his openly friendly personality. He is a person that always makes time to do the right thing and the masonry industry is better off as a result of having him as an advocate.

Paul Odom

Paul began as a mason laborer in 1979 and eventually became a mason or what he calls “an artistic manipulator of a burnt clay product.” In May 1987 he started P and S Masonry, Inc. with his wife, Susie. He was a founding member of the Central Texas Masonry Contractors Association and has served multiple terms as president of both the CTMCA and Texas Masonry Council. He has been active in numerous committees at local, state, and national associations.

He served on the MCAA board from 2011-2019 and as Chairman from 2018 – 2019. He was awarded the C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award in 2021. Paul’s hard work and ability to bring people together has helped lay the foundation to keep the masonry industry strong for generations of masons to come.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE MCAA MIDYEAR MEETING AND HALL OF FAME CLOSING DINNER.