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

When Schedules Tighten, Experience Shows
May 2026

In construction, schedules rarely open up; they tighten. Weather delays, trade coordination, and last-minute scope changes all add pressure, even on jobs that were planned down to the minute. When that happens, experienced masons don’t start cutting corne

Five Truths About Final Brick Cleandown
May 2026

Not all truths are self-evident. Sometimes they’re easy to forget or clouded with misunderstanding. The good news is these truths of final cleandown are not hard to implement on your next project to ensure successfully cleaned and beautiful new brick.

Shelf Angles and Their Impact on Wall Performance
May 2026

Shelf angles have long been a standard component in masonry construction. Installed at the slab edge, they provide support for brick veneer and are often treated as a routine detail. However, as building performance requirements evolve, particularly aroun

Registration Now Open for the 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio, Texas
May 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting, set to take place in San Antonio, Texas. This exciting event is scheduled from September 13th-1