2017 NCMCA Metrolina Chapter Recognition Night Words: Lynn NashThe North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association's Metrolina (Greater Charlotte) Chapter Recognition Night was held September 26, 2017. A number of Metrolina Chapter area masons, apprentices and masonry students won awards and contests over the last year and were recognized with a dinner in their honor along with their invited guests. Honorees received checks and hardware along with official greetings from Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) President Jeff Buczkiewicz, NCMCA President Bob Gates, and a representative from NC Eighth District Congressman Richard Hudson's office. More than 75 members and guests attended the September event in Charlotte. In the Photograph Top row, left to right Todd Hartsell, Central Cabarrus High School - SkillsUSA National Champion Kelby Thornton's instructor and Masonry Expert for the USA WorldSkills Team Kent Huntley, NCMCA President Elect and Apprenticeship and Training Committee Chairman, and a partner in Huntley Brother's Company, the firm with the 2017 NCMCA Annual Samuel A. McGee Apprentice Contest winner. Luke Dutton, McGee Brothers - Luke will represent the United States at the biannual 2017 WorldSkills Competition this October in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He is a former National NCMCA SkillsUSA Winner. Bob Gates, NCMCA President Jeff Buczkiewicz, Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) President Kelby Thornton, Central Cabarrus High School - 2017 NC SkillsUSA Masonry Champion, 2017 National SkillsUSA Masonry Champion (Kelby has won both competitions for two years in a row.) Luis Marquez, Huntley Brothers Company - First Place MCAA Second Year Apprentice Contest, World of Concrete 2017 Brandon Hartsell, NCMCA Regional Vice President and Metrolina Chapter President Chet Huntley, Huntley Brothers - 2017 "Toughest Tender" SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 Bottom row, left to right Cory Huneycutt, Gates Construction Company - Fourth Place in the 2017 Samuel A. McGee Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest Eric Kee, McGee Brothers - Fifth Place, in the 2017 Samuel A. McGee Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest Zackary McGee, McGee Brothers - Winner of the 2016 State Fair Apprentice Contest Matt Cash, Huntley Brothers - 2017 Champion SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 "The World's Best Bricklayer" Jamison "JK" Huntley, Huntley Brothers - David R. Sigmon Award for First Place in the 2017 Samuel A. McGee Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest Ellis Baucom, McGee Brothers - Second Place in the 2017 Samuel A. McGee Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest Kaleb McGee, McGee Brothers - Third Place in the 2017 Samuel A. McGee Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest