Marquez Wins Samuel A. McGee Memorial Contest

Words: Lynn NashLuis Marquez, an apprentice with Huntley Brothers Company in Monroe is the winner of the 2016 David R. Sigmon Award for his first place finish in the May 21st Annual NCMCA Samuel A. McGee Memorial Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest, newly named in memory of Sam, who passed away in September of 2015. Marquez finished in fourth place in the 2015 contest.

Pictured, top, left to right, Charles Newsome of host firm Johnson Concrete Company; Bob Gates, NCMCA President; new champion Luis Marquez; Grayson McGee, second place and Hayden McGee, third place, McGee Brothers Company; Janson Huntley, fourth place and Clay Watson, fifth place, Huntley Brothers Company; Kent Huntley, Contest Chairman and NCMCA President-Elect; and Greg Huntley, Contest Head Judge.

Two of Sam and Midge McGee’s granddaughters assisted displaying the new contest banner, Memory Allen on the left and Katina Little on the right.
Using Respirators for Silica Exposure
July 2025

Some in the masonry industry have expressed interest in respirator use as protection from harmful exposure to silica. This topic is of paramount importance due to its impact on our workers and the serious health effects of silica exposure. For those new t

From Bikes to Buildings: The Importance of Embracing Rainscreen Wall Designs and the New Building Codes.
July 2025

Have you ever been asked to do a project over the course of your lifetime? For example, when my kids were little, my wife asked me to assemble their bicycles. So, I opened the box, dumped out the contents, and cast aside whatever I thought was unnecessary

Laying the Foundation for Growth: Concrete Masonry Checkoff Unveils Five-Year Vision for Industry
July 2025

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) put the finishing touches on an ambitious five-year vision for the industry, targeting a 20% increase in market share, driven by increased demand for concrete masonry products. “This is about building exquisite, enduri

Five of the Seven Chimneys Have Been Saved: Project Chimney Update
July 2025

In the wake of the devastating January wildfires that swept through Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades, a remarkable preservation effort is underway, spearheaded by Project Chimney, an initiative led by Evan Hall, founding director of the non-profit House Mu