MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 29 Recap: Buddie Barnes, Chairman of the Board at Dee Brown, Inc.

Words: Justin StengelOn this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, we're joined by Buddie Barnes, who is extremely well-known in the masonry industry. Listen to some of Buddie's favorite industry and project stories, and his urge to pass the torch to the next generation.

Education and Career Crossroads
It might sound like masonry is passed down like an old family recipe, but Buddie’s path wasn’t that straightforward. He almost never became a contractor:

  • His early dream: Rise through the ranks at Sears, with ambitions to become a regional manager.
  • College: Double major in Architecture and Finance
  • Day job grind: Chopping weeds, working repair trucks, helping mechanics, learning blocklaying
At one point, he was lined up for a prestigious spot at a new Sears store right next to his home.

But as luck would have it, he was making more money on his days off working for Dee Brown than he could at Sears. The choice was clear, Buddie jumped in full-time, with a little nudge from the company’s growth and a newfound appreciation for the work.

Stepping Up: From Chopping Weeds to VP
Buddie’s story isn’t just about hard work; it’s about learning fast and seizing opportunity.

  • Blueprints & Estimating: Studying architecture paid off. The company’s estimator gave Buddie blueprints to read and calculate material takeoffs. He took to it quickly.
  • Promotion through learning: Within three months, the estimator told Buddie, "You've learned too fast… either go full-time or I've got to get someone else in here full-time."
  • Climbing the ladder: From labor, to repair trucks, to design, to vice-president
Buddie blended his architecture background with hands-on experience, leading design development and working with architects nationwide.

A Changing Industry: Stone, Precast, and More
Buddie’s timeline in the masonry world is like flipping through a history book of construction. The industry never stopped changing, branching out far beyond basic brick and block work:

  1. 1968-69: Schools, shopping centers, 7-Eleven stores, all brick and block.
  2. Growth and Expansion:
  • Moved into stonework and architectural precast
  • Added panelized work: Architectural precast, stone-clad trusses, metal panels.
  • Developed restoration, tackling old buildings, historic projects, and more.
This flexibility means today’s masonry teams can switch from laying rock one day to installing precast the next.

Working with MCAA: Meetings, Midyears, and Growth
Buddie’s involvement with the MCAA stretches back nearly as long as his professional career.

The Rise of the Midyear Meeting
Buddie remembers a day when conventions were the main industry event, no midyear meetings in sight. Now, MCA’s midyear is their biggest ever.

Conventions in the Old Days
Back then, industry conventions had a different vibe:

  • Independent equipment shows: Contractors got hands-on with machinery, drove forklifts, built scaffolds, and competed in brick contests.
  • Certification and safety: Operators could earn credentials on-site, plus train on the newest equipment.
Looking Ahead: Passing the Torch
After all these years, Buddie is reflecting on legacy and what comes next. He’s proud of setting up the grant process and grading system for the company’s charitable foundation and is happy to pass the foundation’s leadership to the next generation.

____

Tune into the MASONRY STRONG Podcast every other Thursday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

About: The MASONRY STRONG Podcast
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