J. David Holt
J. David Holt, freelance writer and owner of Holt Marketing Group Inc., has been reporting on the SkillsUSA National Masonry Contest since 1994.
24 articles by J. David Holt:
Success story: Stephen Benson
Stephen Benson wasn’t originally a fan of high school. In fact, he tried four before finding Center of Applied Technology-North where he learned his life trade: masonry. Full story
Success story: Michael Kern
Michael Kern is an old pro at winning masonry contests and works as a skilled mason on the job today. Full story
Success story: Chris Sutherland
The son of a mason, Chris Sutherland began going out on masonry jobsites around age 8. The trade runs deeply in his family. Full story
Success story: Zack Zuidema
Working summers and winters as a laborer and an estimator taught Zack Zuidema many aspects of the masonry business beyond the brick and mortar. Full story
Success story: Matthew Demery
Matthew Demery credits the Arizona Tender Training Program with putting his life and future on the right course. Full story
Success story: Miguel Gonzalez
Miguel Gonzalez needed an elective in high school. He chose masonry – knowing nothing about the trade – and he loved it. Full story
National masonry contest celebrates 50 years
Companies and organizations of the masonry industry joined together June 25 - 27, 2014, to support the 50th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. Full story
National contest supports masonry skills training, development
The masonry industry joined together in June to support the 49th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference and the National Masonry Contest. Full story
Jacob Fulford: Two for third
Jacob Fulford twice finished in third place in the secondary division of the National Masonry Contest, held in conjunction with the annual SkillsUSA. Full story
Where are they now: Porter Soley and Sons
For masonry work in southern Mississippi, just call a “Soley.” Four technically trained masons and their father live and work in the Hattiesburg, Miss., area. Full story
Christian Rodriguez: A mason with a plan
Maybe Christian Rodriguez didn’t have a plan when he graduated from high school in Oklahoma, but he does now. Full story
The future is certain
When Jordan Hartsell attended high school, Todd Hartsell was his instructor and has sponsored nine national masonry contest winners in the last 12 years. Full story
Where are they now: Jon Mayes
Just a year out of high school, Jon Mayes asked his boss if he thought he was ready to take on the masonry responsibilities he’d been offered. Full story
Young mason represents best in skills, character
The winner of the secondary division of the 2011 SkillsUSA National Masonry Contest, Jordon Zook recalls his experience at last year’s competition. Full story
Brick, block industries build future of masonry construction
Companies and organizations of the masonry industry joined forces in June to support the National Masonry Championships. Full story
Lessons Learned Young
As a sophomore, Cody Prescott studied auto mechanics, but transferred to masonry after just one year. Full story
Where Are They Now: John Grablewski
John Grablewski has worked masonry jobs from Pottstown to Philadelphia to Reno to Mississippi to Connecticut to Switzerland to Russia and back. Full story
National Contest Supports Masonry Skills Training and Development
The masonry industry joined together in June to support the 46th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference and the National Masonry Contest. Full story
Where Are They Now: James Lux
James Lux could easily be the poster boy for the value of technical training. Full story
National Contest Validates Training, Development
The Masonry contest was part of the 45nd annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held in Kansas City, Mo., on June 25. Full story
