Generation Next Committee Focuses On The Future

Words: Dan Kamys

The MCAA’s Generation Next Committee, formerly the South of 40 Committee, is proud to announce its updated name and logo. The rebranding is part of the Committee’s mission to support the masonry industry and its future leaders. The Generation Next Committee is co-chaired by MCAA Members Mason Hill of Hill Masonry and Liz Graves of Spec Rents.

“I’ve served on the Generation Next Committee since 2017, and these changes are integral to helping the industry better understand what we do at a glance. It’s a simple name and a modern look that visually support our re-energized mission of being the resource that young people within the industry can’t miss,” said Mason Hill, Generation Next Co-Chair. 

As part of the initial rebranding meeting, the Committee has assigned two sub-groups: one to better understand and support the needs of future industry leaders and one to grow Generation Next’s networking events. This builds on the MCAA’s GEN NXT series in MASONRY Magazine which highlights up-and-coming industry leaders and has been published since 2017.  

"I want to help us better understand how we can grow Generation Next and support the next group of masonry leaders. It's not just about providing opportunities for young people to participate in the industry, but also about showing value to the leadership of companies so that they will encourage and support the next generation to participate in these opportunities. Many of our new initiatives will be designed to better understand and support their needs," said Liz Graves, Generation Next Co-Chair.

The Generation Next Committee is open to interested employees of an MCAA Member Company. It will develop a schedule of meetings both at the higher level and for the previously-mentioned sub-groups in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in learning more about or joining the committee should email Todd Fredrick at tfredrick@masoncontractors.org.

About The MCAA’s Generation Next Committee: The Generation Next Committee provides members with the opportunity to learn, become more involved, and introduce a youthful voice into the masonry industry. We will accomplish this by fostering lasting relationships, encouraging original ideas, and educating the leaders of tomorrow to increase masonry market share and ensure our industry is as solid as the products we promote.

About Mason Contractors Association of America: The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is the national trade association representing mason contractors. The MCAA is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.

Designing Masonry Openings Without Compromising Aesthetics
July 2026

One of masonry's greatest strengths is its ability to create visually striking architecture. From arches and deep reveals to decorative brick detailing, masonry provides texture, depth, and character that continue to inspire architects today. As buildin

Restoring the Breath of the Building: The Life-Saving Science Behind Historic Masonry Repairs
July 2026

When I first set out to become a historic preservation and restoration mason, I imagined that most of my trade would involve repairing the effects of old age. Instead, 99 percent of my work is attempting to stabilize and reverse damage caused by recent an

Laying the Foundation for the Future: Workforce Development at the Arizona Masonry Council
July 2026

For generations, masonry has been built on a simple but powerful principle: knowledge passed from one set of hands to the next. In Arizona, the Arizona Masonry Council (AMC) is working to ensure that tradition continues by investing in one of the industr

Preserving Masonry Aesthetics with Concealed Lintel Systems
July 2026

Masonry has long been valued for its ability to create buildings with character, permanence, and visual appeal. Features such as arches, deep reveals, corbelling, and decorative brickwork continue to be popular design elements in modern architecture. Howe