2025 Masonry Milestones Words: Justin StengelPhotos: MCAATake a look back at 2025 to see the MCAA’s biggest achievements and most memorable events! MASONRY STRONG PodcastThe second year of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast was even bigger than the launch year back in 2024. With so many masonry industry professionals having great conversations and talks about their journeys, we were thrilled to see the positive reception to this industry’s most-loved podcast!And thanks to all of the amazing listeners, episode 31 of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast featuring James Hoskinson has amounted to over 100,000 views across all of our platforms. This feat enabled us to award James with the first-ever Social Impact Award at the 2026 World of Concrete convention. Opened the Outreach and Education Office This year, the MCAA launched its new Youth Outreach and Education branch, appointing Robert Melgaard as its first Director. A fourth-generation mason with 19 years of educational experience, Melgaard has and plans to continue leading initiatives to bridge the industry-education gap, establish regional centers, and inspire a new generation of masonry professionals through strategic partnerships.MCAA Celebrating 75 YearsReaching the 75th anniversary is a monumental milestone for the Mason Contractors Association of America, symbolizing three-quarters of a century of dedication to the masonry industry. Since its founding, the MCAA has served as the backbone of the trade, relentlessly advocating for contractors, enhancing workforce safety, and driving legislative support. GEORGE Wall Evaluation KitThe GEORGE Wall Evaluation Kit is a cutting-edge digital solution designed to modernize masonry inspections and training. By integrating 3D scanning technology with augmented reality, this toolkit allows professionals to move efficiently, providing objective, high-precision data for wall analysis.White House Task ForceIn 2025, the MCAA joined the White House "AI in Education" task force, chaired by First Lady Melania Trump, to showcase its revolutionary Wall Evaluator software. This LiDAR-based tool eliminates subjective grading by digitally scanning and scoring student projects against industry standards. Generational Knowledge ProjectThe MCAA’s Generational Knowledge Project, which started in 2025, aims to solve the continual problem faced in the masonry industry: with every retirement, decades of wisdom vanish, forcing the next generation to relearn painful lessons from scratch. Leveraging their proprietary AI platform, GEORGE, the MCAA plans to transform the experience of industry legends into an interactive, on-demand resource.This isn't just a static archive; it is a digital "Council of Mentors." Future leaders can now consult titans of the trade on specific challenges, from contract red flags to complex estimations. By digitizing this legacy, the MCAA ensures the next generation builds their careers on a foundation of proven wisdom, not just concrete.Palisades Chimney RescueRising from the devastation of the Pacific Palisades wildfires, Project Chimney is a landmark preservation effort led by the House Museum with critical support from the Mason Contractors Association of America.Racing against demolition deadlines, teams carefully relocated these structures, which one day will create the Palisades Fire Memorial. Far more than salvaged brick, these chimneys will stand as a permanent public art installation, serving as powerful symbols of "Masonry Strong" resilience and a sanctuary for community remembrance. Huge thank you to everyone who helps support us in pushing the masonry industry forward. We look to make 2026 an even better year for masonry!About: Industry News