Amerimix
CrewTracks
EZ Scaffold Corp.
EZG Manufacturing
Hydro Mobile, Inc.
Loot
Non-Stop Scaffolding
PROSOCO, Inc.
SOLA/Keson
SPEC MIX LLC
Stabila
Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide
May 2011

A Bright Future

President’s Message

By

In April I mentioned springtime and the beauty of it. This week, Norma Jean and I had the privilege and honor of meeting the Minnesota Mason Contractors up in the Twin Cities.

Can you believe I woke up and looked out the window in my room, and everything was white? That is right, it was snowing. I love you guys in Minnesota, but the spring flowers in Texas called me back home.

We did enjoy our time there, especially the time we spent with our con- tractor and supplier friends. The economy is down, although they were beginning to see some light, but their spirit and hearts were strong. I encouraged them, and I encourage all of us, to remember: Life is not just this moment, but includes the future, too. We must continue to promote masonry as the best product to be used! We must train our people to be better. You and I as contractors must continue to learn and become better business people. We must reclaim our market share, and we do that through Vision 20/20. We will reclaim our share, one city at a time.

I also have been to Las Vegas a couple of times recently. One trip was for the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) convention, and again for the Canadian Mason Contractors Convention. I am so proud of our working relationship with NCMA. We have come a long way, but we will continue to build on that relationship. We, as contractors, know we cannot be successful without our suppliers. I know we do not always agree on every issue, but we do agree that masonry is the product of choice. The NCMA’s foundation gave us a grant for $20,000 for our research we are doing, comparing masonry with competitive products such as wood, metal, glass, etc. Our Workforce Development Committee has begun a journey working closely with their committee as we plan for the future. We will train for tomorrow.

Our Workforce Development Committee has begun a journey working closely with their committee as we plan for the future.
Our Workforce Development Committee has begun a journey working closely with their committee as we plan for the future.

Our Canadian brothers almost made me jealous. They are having very good times right now. They have plenty of work, and prices reflect that. They are doing so many things right and are a great example to follow, when it comes to training and teaching architects and engineers about masonry. They face many of the same battles that we do, and I believe we can learn and help each other in these battles. One example was the contract language their customers were forcing on them. Another was how the competing products were battling masonry. There are many more, and we will maintain a strong relationship with our brothers from the North.

I have to mention one last trip: Norma Jean and I just celebrated our 33rd anniversary and spent an extend- ed weekend at the La Cantera Resort in San Antonio. This will be home to our Midyear Meeting, which begins Sept. 14 this year. It is a great place for all to enjoy. The resort is outstanding, but add Fiesta Texas (Six Flags Amusement Park) and the shops of La Cantera (huge outdoor mall), and this location truly has something for everyone to enjoy. I hope all of you plan to come and join us. We will enjoy each other’s company, learn together and plan our future in a great Texas setting.

Until next time, this ole cowboy says, “Shoot for the moon and, even if you miss, you will land among the stars!”

Chairman’s Message Archive

The American Dream

August 2019
The American Dream

Doing Our Part

May 2019
Doing Our Part

Preparing for D.C.

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

Recent Updates

September 2018
Recent Updates

Masonry’s Future

August 2018
Masonry’s Future

Worthwhile Work

June 2018
Worthwhile Work

A New Beginning

February 2018
A New Beginning

Givers Gain

January 2018
Givers Gain

Things to Remember

March 2017
Things to Remember

Looking Forward

February 2017
Looking Forward

A Fresh Start

January 2017
A Fresh Start

Who Moved My Cheese?

September 2016
Who Moved My Cheese?

Giving back

December 2015
Giving back

An exciting year ahead

February 2015
An exciting year ahead

Defining success

December 2014
Defining success

Staying busy for you

August 2014
Staying busy for you

Ready for action

February 2014
Ready for action

Thanks

January 2014
Thanks

Happy holidays

December 2013
Happy holidays

MCAA Midyear update

November 2013
MCAA Midyear update

The MCAA in D.C.

August 2013
The MCAA in D.C.

A Lot Happening

July 2013
A Lot Happening

Eye opening

June 2013
Eye opening

Positive movement

March 2013
Positive movement

Headed to Vegas

February 2013
Headed to Vegas

New beginning

January 2013
New beginning

It’s finally over

December 2012
It’s finally over

My trip to the Rockies

November 2012
My trip to the Rockies

The 2012 election

October 2012
The 2012 election

Stay involved

September 2012
Stay involved

Networking

August 2012
Networking

Summer time

July 2012
Summer time

Exciting time

June 2012
Exciting time

Working for you

May 2012
Working for you

New beginnings

March 2012
New beginnings

Farewell!

February 2012
Farewell!

One more to go!

January 2012
One more to go!

Join us in Vegas

November 2011
Join us in Vegas

As the world turns

August 2011
As the world turns

Tidbits From MCAA

March 2011
Tidbits From MCAA

Time Flies By

February 2011
Time Flies By

The End of the Year

December 2010
The End of the Year

Busy Times!

November 2010
Busy Times!

South of 40

October 2010
South of 40

What Are We Doing?

August 2010
What Are We Doing?

Moving Forward

March 2010
Moving Forward

A Fond Farewell

February 2010
A Fond Farewell

A New Year

January 2010
A New Year

Start the Year Strong

December 2009
Start the Year Strong

MCAA in D.C.

September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

Brick Voids

August 2009
Brick Voids

Vision 2020

February 2009
Vision 2020

State of the Association

February 2009
State of the Association

The Silver Lining

January 2009
The Silver Lining

Impact on the Hill

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

New Horizons

February 2008
New Horizons

Wrapping up Another Year

December 2007
Wrapping up Another Year

Greetings From Italy!

November 2007
Greetings From Italy!

We Need Your Help!

January 2005
We Need Your Help!

The Strength of Unity

November 2003
The Strength of Unity

Changing of the Guard

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

“The amount of information that is at your finger tips is unbelievable.”

Richard Felice
Forrest & Associate, Inc.
MCAA member since 1963

Learn More