Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

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.
 0
Four Home Design Trends Driving Masonry Demand in 2026
July 2026

As design trends continue to evolve, one theme remains consistent throughout 2026: homeowners want spaces that feel intentional, comfortable and enduring. According to Westlake Royal Building Products’ TrendLine platform, today's most influential trends e

Sarah Lograsso
MAP Partner
Sponsored
Read More
The Modern Masonry Saw: Safety, Efficiency, and Smarter Cutting
July 2026

Masonry is a craft built on precision, strength, and durability. At the heart of every successful masonry project is one essential tool: the masonry saw. As technology evolves, so does the role of the saw on the jobsite. Today’s contractors are not just l

Bryant Figueroa
Technical Talks
Read More
Getting the Finish Right on Burnished CMU
July 2026

The wall is complete. The lines are crisp. The coursing is tight, and the burnished CMU delivers exactly the refined appearance the design team envisioned. After weeks of coordination and careful installation, the project is final

Technical Talks
Read More
Argo Community High School Performing Arts Center
July 2026

Argo Community High School is located in Summit, Illinois, just southwest of Chicago’s Midway Airport. In 2016, the Argo Community High School Board of Education and the school’s administration undertook the construction of a new performing

John Cicciarelli
Case Study
Read More