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
MASONRY MADNESS was unbelievably good. Photo by Bruce Starrenburg.
March 2018

The Changing Tide And Road Ahead

Chairman’s Message

By

Did I mention in last month’s message that our annual MCAA Convention was fantastic!!???

MASONRY MADNESS was unbelievably good. I’ll admit that I was initially very concerned that moving from the Gold lot to the Bronze lot would be detrimental
to MASONRY MADNESS. Boy, was I ever wrong? It was a great move. I want to thank everyone that participated in the event and give a big applause to all of the winners!
Once again, SPEC MIX and the rest of the sponsors worked tirelessly to make the event the best ever. Thank you.

MCAA and our industry looks bright and I am excited about all the opportunities out there, starting with workforce development.

The times are changing; federal funding is coming back for vocational training and schools across the country are bringing the programs back into their curriculum. Students and parents are learning that construction jobs are a great alternative to college. This is not only good for our industry, but greatly needed for our country. Trades need to be promoted as an outstanding career. Now is the time we can help. I ask each of you to encourage your local schools, organizations, and trade schools to promote masonry vocational programs. I had the opportunity to visit with four high school students who were at MASONRY MADNESS. They had all participated in a masonry vocational program and were given the opportunity to attend this great event. All four students told me that they plan to become masons and work in our industry. Talking to them it was obvious that this event was a great way to spread the excitement in the future of our industry.

I am excited to congratulate Florida and Arizona for their block check-off programs. So far Florida has implemented their program and Arizona is set to begin in April. These two programs (and hopefully more in the future) will provide local funding to work on many things, including:

  • Hiring engineers to train practicing engineers and architects to use masonry
  • Educate college architecture students to design with masonry
  • Promote workforce development for existing and future workers
  • Advance awareness of fire safety through the use of masonry
  • Marketing masonry, including total masonry construction

I’m sure there will be other great uses of these funds as we work to regain our market share.

Together we are stronger, just like the masonry we promote. We have a lot of marketshare to regain throughout the building industry. Promoting total masonry construction as the safest product that also stands the test of time is what must be done for us to regain the market share we’ve lost.

With that said, MCAA is here to assist state associations develop and build their checkoff program. Contact us at any time so we can help you!

Until next month,
Paul Odom
Artistic Manipulator of the Burnt Clay Product (aka bricklayer)

PS: Mark your calendars!!
Legislative Walk on the Hill May 14-17th
Midyear Meeting September 24-26th Austin, TX

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

“With the MCAA as our guiding light, we will make a difference.”

Brandon Hartsell
Gates Construction Company, Inc.
MCAA member since 1994

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