Josh Rehme, Mason Saunders, and Frank Kocjancic Win At The MCAA Skills Challenge

Words: Dan Kamys

The 2022 World of Concrete again served as the location for the MCAA's Masonry Skills Challenge. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional U.S. and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level.

Contestants are divided by experience level, 'First Years' who are just entering the trade through 'Third Years' who are just about to enter the workforce as journeymen. Each level is given a project to build appropriate to their know-how.

The catch? The projects are a complete surprise!

This year's top finishers were: 

First-Year Apprentices

1st Place - Frank Kocjancic  - Bricklayers Local 9 PA  - Pittsburgh, PA

2nd Place - Sebastian Fernandez - Groesbeck Masonry  - San Antonio, TX

3rd Place - Juan Mendez  - Arizona Masonry Council / Recreate Companies  - Phoenix, AZ

Second-Year Apprentices

1st Place - Mason Saunders  - Huntley Brothers Company, Inc. - Midland, NC

2nd Place - Oscar Montano  - Sun Valley Masonry - Tucson, AZ

3rd Place - Kurtis Sutter  - Rudolph Libbe, Inc. - Gand Rapids, OH

Third-Year Apprentices

1st Place - Josh Rehme  -  Patrico Masonry - St. Louis, MO

2nd Place - Robert McKibben  -  Dallas College - Coppell, TX

3rd Place - Marco Antonio Suruy  - District Council Training Center - Addison, IL

HangTite Blended Cement Products Joins the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program as a Gold Partner
November 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is excited to announce that HangTite Blended Cement Products has joined the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program (MAP) at the Gold Level.

ONE Spokane Stadium: A Unifying Force in Spokane’s Downtown Core
November 2025

Located in the vibrant arts and entertainment district of Spokane, Washington, ONE Spokane Stadium is a beacon of community, sport, and culture, showcasing the best of multifunctional urban design. Spearheaded by ALSC Architects, the stadium was designed

MCAA And Alan Pettingale Announce Strategic Partnership To Restore America’s Masonry
November 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has established a strategic partnership with Alan Pettingale, President and Founder of Specialized Masonry Restoration and creator of the Brick Talk Live podcast and Masonry Restoration Magazine. The par

Westlake Royal Stone Solutions Renews Cornerstone Partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program
November 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is excited to announce that Westlake Royal Stone Solutions will renew its distinguished Cornerstone partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program.