Arizona Masonry Council Announces Officers, Board of Directors for 2025-26

Words: Dawn Rogers

The Arizona Masonry Council (AMC), the trade group dedicated to building and supporting a stronger foundation for the state’s masonry industry, proudly announces the election of its new officers and board of directors, each serving a two-year term.

Melonie Leslie, of G&G Masonry LLC, has been named the new chair of the Arizona Masonry Council. She is joined by Matt Montgomery, Best Block, as vice chair; Mike Summers, Top Quality Masonry, as secretary; and Ben Hazelton, Paragon, as treasurer.

“As chair, I’m excited to work with our Board of Directors over the next two years to continue bringing value to our members,” said Leslie. “We are entering 2025 with incredible momentum, including the expansion of our community college outreach and growing our leadership development courses.”

Melonie Leslie’s election marks an inspiring moment for the construction industry, where women make up just 10% of the workforce. Her leadership brings both a fresh perspective and a commitment to advancing opportunities for all industry professionals.

AMC Executive Director Dawn Rogers also expressed excitement about the year ahead, stating, “We have a lot to be excited about in 2025. We are in our third year of our Masonry Contractor Certification Program and our fourth year of the industry’s first Machine Operator Apprenticeship Training Program. I’m confident that our leadership team, including Melanie, will continue to elevate the masonry industry in Arizona.”

Rogers, a trailblazer in her own right, has played a critical role in leading the Council's efforts to promote education, workforce development, and innovation in masonry. Together, Leslie and Rogers exemplify the growing presence and impact of women in construction.

New board members include Brendon Sarracino, Sargon Masonry; Scott Palmer, Salt River Materials Group; Tyler Smith, Yavapai Block; Seth Holt, Superlite, an Oldcastle company; and David Peloke, Sun Valley Masonry.

AMC continues to empower the masonry industry through initiatives such as the Excellence in Masonry Awards, Apprenticeship Graduation Dinner, Fastest Trowel competition, and professional recognition programs.

_______________________________
About the Arizona Masonry Council
The mission of the Arizona Masonry Council is to create significant and lasting positive change for the Arizona masonry industry and to reinforce that our systems provide the premier building envelope solution in the minds of public and private owners, developers, architects, engineers, general contractors, and the public. The Council plays a significant role in economic development, safety, and energy efficiency, while spearheading statewide education programs from high schools to professional training.

Contact AMC at (602) 265-5999 or visit azmasonry.org.


PPE That Workers Actually Wear: Building Buy-In Through Education and Smart Selection
August 2026

In masonry construction, personal protective equipment (PPE) is often the last line of defense between a worker and an injury. Yet despite its importance, PPE compliance remains one of the most common challenges on jobsites across the country. The realit

Zero Laydown: Navigating the Logistics of Tight Urban Job Sites
August 2026

In modern commercial construction, spatial real estate has become just as valuable as the materials themselves. The industry shift toward high-density, urban projects means that the sprawling job sites of the past have been replaced by tight footprints wh

Why "The Software Can't Track That" Is Finally Going Away
August 2026

For as long as specialty contractors have used field software, most of them have kept a workaround somewhere: a spreadsheet on a foreman's laptop, a whiteboard in the trailer, or a text thread where crew leads send block counts at the end of the day becau

Monadnock Building
August 2026

Chicago’s Monadnock Building doesn’t dominate the skyline the way it once did. Surrounded by steel-and-glass towers, the dark brick structure can seem almost understated. But for anyone in the masonry industry, it remains one of the most important buildin