Staying the Course

Words: Kent Huntley

Spring is one of my favorite times of year.

There’s energy in the air. Jobs are picking up. Crews are hitting their rhythm. Schedules are filling up. You can feel momentum building again.

And every year around this time, I find myself thinking about consistency.

Not the big wins.

Not the grand speeches.

Just the steady, daily work.

I’ve always believed masonry is a trade that rewards consistency. You don’t build a wall by rushing one course and ignoring the next. You show up, you check your line, you adjust, and you keep laying brick.

That mindset didn’t come naturally to me. It was learned.

I think back to when I was younger, working alongside my father and my uncles. They weren’t flashy. They didn’t talk much about “leadership.” But they showed it every day. They showed up early. They expected quality. They corrected mistakes without tearing you down. And they made it clear that how you carried yourself mattered just as much as how you laid brick.

That steady example shaped me more than I realized at the time.

And honestly, I’ve seen that same principle play out in my life outside of work, too.

My wife, Robin, and I are coming up on 30 years of marriage. That didn’t happen because of one big moment. It’s been built over time — through consistency, commitment, and showing up for each other day after day.

It’s not always perfect. But it’s steady.

And when I step back and think about it, the same principles apply — in marriage, in business, and in this trade. The things that last are built with care, patience, and consistency.

Over the years, I’ve found similar lessons outside the job site as well. Flying has reinforced that for me. When you’re in the air, especially when conditions aren’t perfect, you don’t rely on emotion. You rely on fundamentals. You trust your instruments. You stay calm. You make small corrections and stay on course.

Business isn’t much different.

There are seasons when things feel smooth. And there are seasons when margins are tight, labor is hard to find, or uncertainty creeps in. In those moments, the answer usually isn’t dramatic change. It’s discipline. It’s fundamentals. It’s steady leadership.

The same goes for our industry.

As contractors, suppliers, and leaders, we’re constantly adjusting — new materials, new technology, new regulations. Change is part of growth. But the core principles don’t move: craftsmanship, safety, integrity, and investing in people.

That’s what keeps us on course.

On a more personal note, I’ve been thinking a lot about legacy lately. I have three children working in our business and two grandchildren growing up around this trade. That changes your perspective. It makes you think less about the next quarter and more about the next generation.

What are we modeling?

What habits are we reinforcing?

What example are we setting?

Leadership isn’t just about what we say. It’s about what we consistently do.

As Chairman, I don’t see this role as a chance to reinvent everything. I see it as an opportunity to help us stay aligned with what has always made this industry strong — hard work, pride in craftsmanship, and a willingness to help one another.

I’ve also been thinking about the people who came before us — in this association and in this trade. None of this just showed up overnight. A lot of people put in time, effort, and leadership long before we ever stepped into these roles.

There’s a quote from Warren Buffett that stuck with me:

“Someone is sitting in the shade today, because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

That’s exactly what we’ve been given. And now it’s on us to take care of it — and make sure we’re planting something for the next group coming behind us.

The MCAA is at its best when we share ideas, learn from each other, and support the next contractor coming up behind us. None of us built our companies alone. None of us learned this trade in isolation.

Somebody invested in us.

Now it’s our turn.

Spring is a season of growth. It’s also a season of steady work. The foundations we lay now — in leadership, mentorship, and professionalism — determine how strong our industry stands years from now.

Staying the course isn’t glamorous. It’s not always loud. But it’s powerful.

Brick by brick.

Day by day.

Leader by leader.

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Staying the Course

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