Amerimix
CrewTracks
EZ Scaffold Corp.
EZG Manufacturing
Hydro Mobile, Inc.
Loot
Non-Stop Scaffolding
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SPEC MIX LLC
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Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide
The BAC/IMI National Apprentice Competition in Bowie, Md.
October 2015

Seeing the future before our eyes

Chairman’s Message

By

I am writing this newsletter on my way back home after attending the ICE meetings in DC and then going to Baltimore, attending the BAC National Apprenticeship contest. It is always good to see people like Jim Boland President of the BAC, Joan and Dave with IMI sharing the same enthusiasm for our industry.

As we all know, the MCAA is made up of both union and open shop contractors. Some might think this to be strange, but it is really a good thing. You see competition brings out the best in all of us. I look at union vs. non-union as a checks and balance system. It forces each to make the other better and that is what we should all be striving for whether in our industry or life, making each other better.

Some of the competition categories were brick, stone, marble, granite, and tile. As I walked around looking at all the young contestants, it appeared to me I was seeing the future of our industry right before my eyes. The look of determination in their eyes showed through the use of their hands, as worked to perfect their mock-ups. Lots of those competing were second or third generation craftsmen which shows how masonry is truly a family industry. You could see parents, wives and friends giving them encouragement. Hats off to all who competed and a special thought for the four contestants from Wisconsin. One of the four, Zach, is part of the Superior Masonry family.

Win or lose if you do the best you are capable of, you will always be a winner. It is these constant challenges and competitions in life that makes us grow and help us reach our full potential. So I hope to see all those competitors I witnessed today, compete at our National Skills Challenge at Masonry Madness. Speaking of Masonry Madness, it is time to start thinking about it and putting it on your calendar Wednesday, February 3, 2016. I will be giving more details on the MCAA Convention as we get closer to the date. I do know we will be at Vdara Hotel this year. The South 40 group will be hosting their event again at Señor Frogs and I am sure they will have some fun things for everybody to participate in or be entertained by.

MCAA, IMI, and NCMA have formed a partnership to get the word out “Masonry Doesn’t Burn”. This partnership will emphasis the public safety concern of using other systems in public buildings like dormitories for our children, retirement centers for our parents, and apartment buildings. It is time we show municipalities the danger they are putting the public in with the lack of proper fire resistant materials like masonry. There is no easier way to gain market share than by pushing this message of truth. We are meeting with our partners in Key West and this will be the main topic of discussion. This is just another way of showing how the masonry industry has come together for the good of the industry.

While I write this message, the Midyear in Key West has not yet taken place. I will tell you people are pumped to go to Key West so I am sure it will be a huge success. One of the things I am really looking forward to is The Masonry Foundation Dinner. As of September 12, 2015 we are at $1.85 million raised by just contractors and I know we will exceed $2 million by the time of the dinner. The second phase will have been rolled out at the dinner and our endowment will be steadily growing. We must not be satisfied with what we have accomplished or once we reach our goal of $5 million because we are capable of $8 to $10 million. As I mentioned in the paragraphs above, we must do what we are capable of and nothing less, if we do we will hit the $8- $10 million. In early September Jeff and I attended the Chicago contractors meeting to talk about the Foundation and what it means to our industry. A week later John Jacob and Paul Oldham hosted a dinner and talked about The Masonry Foundation with some contractors from their area. So things are progressing at a very steady pace. If you have not made a pledge or an investment into the future of your industry and company please contact the MCAA office or me direct.

They say a man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm. I and others have that enthusiasm for The Masonry Foundation. How about you?

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

A Bright Future

May 2011
A Bright Future

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 opportunity to ‘talk shop’ with other mason contractors is extremely valuable.”

Joe Bonifate
Arch Masonry & Restoration
MCAA member since 2012

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