Jim O’Connor honored by Lake County Contractors Association

Words: Gary PorterJim O'Connor, Executive Secretary of the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago and a trustee of the Masonry Advisory Council, was honored with the Lake County Contractors Association's Robert W. MacGruder Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this month. The ceremony was held at the Doubletree Hotel in Mundelein on Dec. 4th.

O'Connor, who was presented with the award for a career dedicated to the growth and education of the masonry and brick industry in the greater Chicagoland market, was presented with his award by Jim Allen, President of Bricklayers District Council #1 of Illinois.

O’Connor has been very involved during his career, including the following: International Masonry Institute - Board Member (1st non contractor), International Council of Employers to B.A.C. (1st non contractor), Trustee of the Illinois Masonry Institute Promotion Trust/Masonry Advisory Council, Illinois Structural Masonry Coalition -Board Member, MARBA - Committees Negotiations with the Bricklayers, Laborers and Operating Engineer, Lead Negotiator for Marble Setters and Marble Finishers for Chicago Marble and Granite Dealers Assoc, and a Member of Bricklayer's LMCC Board.

"I cannot thank enough of those who helped me throughout my life to get to this point," said O'Connor. "There is not enough time to thank all of the wonderful people, contractors, suppliers, friends, family and co-workers. It takes a village and we have one really special masonry village that has helped me reach this point.

"It's a complete honor to have my name associated with Robert MacGruder's and to be noticed for a career I would gladly do all over again without regret," he added.
Rent or Buy? Making Smarter Mixer Equipment Decisions
November 2026

For masonry contractors, deciding whether to rent or purchase a concrete or mortar mixer involves more than comparing rental rates with purchase prices. Equipment availability, crew productivity, maintenance, and frequency of use can all influence the lon

Abigail Spung Allyssa Costanza
MAP Partner
Read More
Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q4
November 2026

This issue’s questions come from an Engineer and a Masonry Inspector. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention: Technical Talk. Q. An Engineer states that he attended a seminar and was told that to design reinforced

David Biggs
Technical Talks
Read More
Acme Brick Company Continues as a Gold Partner in 2027
November 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is proud to announce that Acme Brick Company will continue as a Gold Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

MAP Partner
MAP Partner
Read More
Hohmann & Barnard, Inc. Returns as a Cornerstone Partner in 2027
November 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that Hohmann & Barnard, Inc. will return as a Cornerstone Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

MAP Partner
MAP Partner
Read More