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

BIA launches 2014 with new leadership

Words: Lorelei HarloeThe Brick Industry Association (BIA) has ushered in a year of change, appointing new board officers and staff leadership. Appointments follow the retirement of outgoing BIA President and CEO Gregg Borchelt, celebrated with top industry honors.

“Our board and council members continually demonstrate a strong commitment to BIA and the American clay brick industry,” said Ray Leonhard, BIA’s new president and CEO, promoted from chief financial officer and vice president of administration.

2014-2016 Board Leadership

Hanson Brick Senior Vice President Charlie Ward, also general manager Hanson Building Products - Light Products, Charlotte, N.C., starts a two-year term as BIA chairman of the board. Ward succeeds former Chairman Brett Packer, president, Packer Brick Inc. The new BIA Vice Chairman is Sam Strang, president of Alley-Cassetty Brick, succeeding Bob Belden, president and CEO, The Belden Brick Co. Joe Rice, president, Belden Tri-State Building Materials, was named secretary, replacing Ward.

BIA Manufacturer Council Chair is Davis Henry, president, Henry Brick Co. Inc., succeeding Butch McAvoy, president of The McAvoy Brick Co. Inc. Suzanne McAnallen, president, Donley Brick Co., is BIA Distributor Council Chair, replacing Rice.

New BIA Staff Leadership

As President and CEO, Leonhard will lead BIA in its strategic direction, effectively using the association’s resources to implement programs and services that maximize member value. New Chief Operating Officer Stephen Sears, former vice president of marketing and member services, will lead BIA’s marketing and communication programs, member recruitment and member services. Sears will also help establish local brick councils in key markets around the country.

Honoring Borchelt

Praised for his outstanding 40 years of industry wide service, the highly respected former BIA President and CEO Gregg Borchelt retired with honors, including:

2014 C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award by the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA)

Recognized as a “true gem,” Borchelt was the second person ever outside the contractor community in the history of MCAA’s award recognized for exemplary leadership in advancing the masonry industry.

J. Gregg Borchelt Winner of BIA Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented by the executive committee, recognized for his outstanding accomplishments and dedication to the advancement and betterment of the clay brick industry.
 0
From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Matt Dibara
Business Management
Read More
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