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MCAA Upstate New York: Regaining Market Share Through Education

Words: Brett Sherman
Photos: MCAA Upstate New York Chapter

The Upstate New York chapter of the MCAA was established in 2014 by a dedicated group of both union and non-union masonry contractors, producers, and suppliers who shared concerns about the declining use of masonry. The founding board was made up of these contractors, as well as a block producer and a brick supplier. David Biggs, PE, SE, of Biggs Consulting Engineering, also played an important role as a founding board member.

These individuals put aside their competitive differences to work together in promoting masonry throughout the region. Feedback from designers, developers, and industry representatives indicated that training masons in code-compliant installation techniques would be key to encouraging greater use of masonry. Additionally, it became evident that designers needed updated knowledge of masonry design methods. This article showcases how our chapter has worked to tackle these challenges through educational programs, which have enhanced both the quality of masonry installations and designers' confidence in using masonry within our region.



Educational Materials
The chapter initiated its educational outreach program by developing a series of videos and technical notes intended for use in presentations or for distribution directly to masons at the job site. The videos cover how to carefully select and install mortars and flashings. There are also bulletins on wire reinforcing, cold/hot-weather requirements, and grouting.

Masonry Education Day
Masonry Education Day began as a one-day educational event specifically designed for masons and apprentices, and it continues with this tradition. The program teaches code-based installation methods covering reinforcing, grouting, anchoring, cleaning, and other installation methods.

As the program grew, architects and engineers began attending to learn the best practices and design methods for masonry construction. The program now draws masons, apprentices, mason contractors, architects, engineers, and construction-related college students and provides four AIA Learning Unit credits for designers who attend and was funded by the Concrete Masonry Checkoff program for the last two years.



Masonry Master Class
Masonry Master Class is a series of five separate, two-hour classes, hosted online by David Biggs and a mason contractor board member. The courses include topics such as Design Issues, Detailing Issues, Building Joints, Masonry Specifications and Notes, as well as Field Issues.

Attendees must be senior designers or principals working at architectural and engineering firms. By focusing on senior staff at design firms, the knowledge gained from classes is more likely to be applied across the entire organization. The Master Class is the brainchild of David Biggs and was developed out of his experiences dealing with issues on masonry projects and from the feedback he received from the chapter's masonry contractors.

To date, over 200 designers have completed the course, and the feedback from attendees is extremely positive. Designers can earn 10 AIA Learning Unit credits from this course, which has been funded by the Concrete Masonry Checkoff program over the past two years.

Top 5 Series
The chapter developed a collection of bulletins called Top 5, focusing on the five main installation or design concerns identified by mason contractors. These bulletins include Top 5 Single Wythe Architectural CMU, Top 5 Anchored Brick Veneer, and Top 5 Cost Savings Ideas for Designers.

Each bulletin presents code-based best practices for design and installation, aiming to enhance the quality of both installations and designs. The Top 5 Cost Savings bulletin offers practical solutions to help designers reduce masonry costs in their projects. Additionally, each Top 5 bulletin provides AIA Learning Unit credits.



Lunch & Learn Program
The chapter uses Top 5 bulletins to deliver lunch and learn sessions to architects and engineers across upstate New York. Contractor board members visit design firms to present directly, improving local masonry designs and increasing designers’ confidence in using masonry. From June 2025 to March 2026, 19 firms earned 441 learning credits through the program, highlighting its success. The MCAA helped fund the lunch and learn program in 2025 through a grant from the Masonry Foundation.

 

Masonry 101
The owner of a large A/E firm, who attended our Learning Unit Presentations and the Master Class, contacted our chapter requesting that a new series of Learning Units be developed for designers beginning their careers. His point was that the architects and engineers that he was hiring had no exposure to masonry in school. They didn’t understand the basics of masonry and couldn’t benefit from our other Learning Units until they did.

After reviewing Masonry 101 Programs available across the country, we wrote a new program addressing the points he made. It gives students and inexperienced designers the basics and advantages of concrete and clay masonry wall systems.

Masonry 101 is a four-part series:

  • 101-1 Concrete Masonry
  • 101-2 Clay Brick Masonry
  • 101-3 CMU Detailing
  • 101-4 Anchored Clay Brick Veneer Detailing
\Each part of the series provides one AIA Learning Unit credit for a total of four credits.

Senior designers have commented on the value of Masonry 101 for new A/Es and that even their most experienced people didn’t understand many of the important points of our wall systems. And if senior designers don’t understand the basics of masonry, how can they teach their new people?

Masonry 101 and the Master Class are our chapter's most requested and highest-rated learning tools.

Over the past 12 years, our chapter's educational programs have enhanced the masonry industry in our region by renewing designers' interest, boosting their confidence in installations, and demonstrating local craftworkers' professionalism.


About: Resources
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