Summer time

Chairman’s Message

By John J. Smith, Jr.

As summer starts, we continue to struggle through these tough economic times. We at the MCAA continue to work hard for the Mason Contractors and the industry.

I want to take a moment and thank our strategic partners for their support of the industry. We continue to encourage our members to support these companies and thank them as you do. Just as we have a difficult time in these economic times, our quality suppliers share in our struggle to survive. We all need to support each other. Those strategic partners are Dow Chemical, EZ Grout Corporation, Kennison Forest Products, Mortar Net, Non-Stop Scaffold, Oldcastle, Quikrete, Spec Mix, Tradesmen’s Software. TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER.

Last week, invoices for our annual dues were sent out to all members. We encourage all members to not only return your payment but also please look at the alternate items that we could use some help with in supporting other critical issues. These items are not completely funded in our annual budget but are items we need to be involved with to support the industry. These efforts include Legislative Initiatives; Workforce Development; MCAA Foundation and Union Initiatives. Our legislative effort is very important, especially this time of year.

The MCAA Midyear Meeting will be held Wednesday, September 12 - Friday, September 14, 2012 in Park City, Utah.

Earlier this year MCAA signed an agreement with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to merge our two masonry apprentice textbooks. This new alliance will allow MCAA to tap into their network and promote new programs for masonry within these schools. Many of these schools are secondary schools with vocational programs, and pre-apprenticeship programs for both the Union and open shop pre-apprentice programs. We continue to work with the Masonry Association of Florida to adopt their successful program. In 2012 MCAA plans to pilot a similar program in the state of Arizona and expand it beyond Arizona in 2013.

In spring of 2012, the MCAA pushed and promoted with other industry partners to develop a new BIM research project to identify a roadmap to successful implementation of a masonry BIM application. David Biggs is spearheading the effort by Georgia Tech, which will give masonry a true assessment of what it will take and how long it will take to implement a BIM component.

Lastly, I wanted to remind all contractors of the MCAA Midyear Meeting in Park City, Utah. The dates are September 12th to the 15th. We are planning a new networking opportunity, organizational planning, along with some relaxation time. We are teaming up with the Utah Masonry Council in a golf tournament while in Park City at the Wasatch Mountain State Park. Join the winners of the Tribute to Exemplary Achievements in Masonry (TEAM) Awards competition on Wednesday September 12th. Sign up on-line today at www.masoncontractors.org/midyear.

Have a great summer and enjoy the weather and thank you for your support of the masonry industry.