2016 Douglas Drye Award

Words: Lynn NashFor the second year in a row Fred T. Foard High School in Catawba County received the 2016 Doug Drye Award for best overall performance in the masonry competitions at the 2016 Greensboro NC SkillUSA State Conference in
April.

The Overall Performance Award is named in honor of Douglas Drye who retired from Mount Pleasant High in 2008 and still holds the record for the most high school national masonry champions of all the masonry instructors in the country. The award is presented by NCMCA and The Southeast Concrete Masonry Association.

Fred T. Foard High School is a three-time Drye Award winner having also earned the recognition in 2012 and 2015.

In the photo, NCMCA President Bob Gates, right of plaque, presents the award to instructor Rick Greene, left of plaque, joined by the seniors in Greene’s masonry class, industry officials and local masonry contractors: standing right to left, C.E.Moser and Wayne Starr, officers of the Western Carolina NCMCA chapter; Byard Stevens, President of the Southeast Concrete Masonry Association; masonry contractor Neil Dellinger; and President Gates.
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 36 Recap: Kim Spahn, CEO of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff
January 2026

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Justin got to sit down for a conversation with Kim Spahn to talk about the Concrete Masonry Checkoff, how Kim first got involved in this industry, and much more.

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,

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

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