Masonry Magazine November 2012 Page. 8
FROM THE EDITOR
Jennifer Morrell
Editor
jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com
You Need to Be Pushy
The cycle of life often presents contradictory situations. For example, for the first 16 or so years of your life, you cannot drive a car. Then, overnight, you are old enough to drive a car, according to state laws. You will drive a car for an extended time, 50 years, plus. But, eventually, the time comes when you really should no longer be driving. Don't drive, drive, don't drive. You age and gain experience and wisdom, but your body doesn't respond the way it used to. Your kids and grandkids really want you off the roads.
The same can be said for shameless promotion of what you do well. When you're a child, your parents want you to be proud of your accomplishments. "Show Grandma how well you can sing that pretty song," or "Show Grandpa your outstanding report card." Kids are encouraged to acknowledge, own and be proud of their accomplishments - patting themselves on the backs at every turn. Parents know this builds kids' self-esteem-something our youths cannot seem to have enough of in the age of bullying.
At some point in a child's adolescence, pride in accomplishments is construed as arrogant bragging, and becoming modest and humble is in order. Achieve a lot, but don't talk about it. Quiet dignity in what you do becomes the norm.
Frankly, that needs to change at least for the masonry industry. The masonry business has so many facets. Think of the many types of suppliers to our industry. Think of how different masonry can be from region to region and state to state. With so many players in our industry, each with a personal mission, an overall theme rings true: We need to promote our industry better.
We, in the MCAA, talk a lot about recapturing market share. This is done on many levels, from local and state, to federal-efforts made on The Hill. But why not participate in a groundswell movement that involves bragging on your material and the benefits of masonry to anyone and everyone who will listen? Talk to your local school board about including masonry in new projects. Work to get masonry specified in governmental buildings. Be a shameless braggart about the most durable, long-lasting building material out there: masonry.
For more information on how you can help increase awareness about our product's many benefits and truly make a difference, contact the office of the MCAA at 800-536-2225.
Much like driving, pride in what we do well should become cyclical: proud, modest, and outwardly proud, once again. IMAS
MASONRY
The Voice of the Masonry Industry
MASONRY Magazine
Official Publication of the
Mason Contractors Association of America and the
Canadian Masonry Contractors Association
The Mason Contractars Association of America is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masony materials ion of America is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.
MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Chairman Jahn Smith, Jr.
Vice Chairman Mark Kemp
Treasurer Mike Sutter
Secretary Paul Odem
Regional Vice Presidents
Robert V Barnes, Jr. Glenn Hotmann
Roe Bennett Douglas Nichols
Steve Borman Michael Schmerbeck
Edwin Davenport Roy Swindal
Larry Vacala
President/CEO Jeff Buczkiewicz
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Government Affairs Representatives The Keelen Group
Director of Marketing Education and Timothy W. O'Toole
Information Technology
Administrative Assistant Ann Trownsell
Consultant Rashod Johnson
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
David Jollay (Jollay Masonry Contractors), John Chrysler (MA), John Melander
(PCA), David Hill (Petit Construction Co., J. Smith (John J. Smith Masonry
Co.), Brian Grant (Grant/Jack's Masonry), Jerry Painter (Painter Masonry, Inc.
Doug Nichols (Doug Nichols Enterprises, G. Alan Griffin (Griffin Contracting
Inc.), Tom Daniel (GBC Concrete and Masonry Construction, Inc.)
Executive Office
1481 Merchant Drive
Algonquin, IL 60002
Phone: 224.678.9700 or 800.536.2225
Fax: 224.678.9714
MASONRY is the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association (CMCA. The magazine acts as a sounding board without approving disapproving or guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data, claim or opinion appea under a byline or obtained or quoted from an acknowledged source. Opinions expressed by officers do not necessarily reflect the official views of MCAR CMCA. The appearance of advertising or new product information doesn't stitute an endorsement by MCA or CMCA of product featured.
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Send all advertising and editorial submissions for Masonry to:
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Tel: 770.431.0867 Fax: 770.432.6969 E-mail: jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com
www.masonrymagazine.com
Publisher John Lennon jleonard@lionhrtpub.com
Editor Jennifer Morrell jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com
Art Director Alan Brubaker abrubaker@lionhrtpub.com
Assistant Art Director Lindsay Sport lindsay@lionhrtpub.com
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Art Sharfler art@lionhrtpub.com
Maketing Director and
Audience Development Maria Bennett bennett@lionhrtpub.com
Reprints Kelly Millwood kelly@lionhtpub.com
The Voice of the Masonry Industry