Laying the First Brick - A Fresh Start

Words: Kent Huntley

As we head into a new year, I’m excited and, honestly, grateful to step into the role of Chairman of the Mason Contractors Association of America. This industry has been good to my family, and I see this role as a chance to give back and help move things forward.

Before talking about what’s next, I want to recognize Dick Dentinger for his two years of service as Chairman. Dick led the MCAA with a steady hand and a big heart. He has a way of making people feel like they belong, no matter how long they’ve been involved or where they come from. That’s not something you can fake, and it’s made a real difference for our board and our members. I’m thankful for his leadership, his friendship, and the example he set.

Every masonry job starts the same way, with the first brick. It’s not flashy, and most people never notice it, but if it’s not right, nothing else works. That’s how I look at this moment. It’s a fresh start, built on a solid foundation, and a chance to set the tone for what comes next.

A Family Foundation
Masonry has always been part of my life. I grew up around this trade, and over the years, I’ve learned that working with family has a way of shaping how you lead and how you see responsibility.

Today, that perspective means even more to me. I have three children and two grandchildren, and that changes how you think about the future. You start asking questions that go beyond the next job or the next year. What are we building? And are we leaving this industry better than we found it?

Family teaches you that anything worth having takes time. Trust, consistency, and doing the right thing, especially when it’s hard, are what make something last. Masonry works the same way. Every course matters. Every detail matters. And when you care about the work, it shows.

People, Leadership, and Lessons Along the Way
If this trade has taught me anything, it’s that everything comes back to people. Tools and materials matter, but people are what make the work happen.

Leadership, to me, isn’t about titles. It’s about showing up, listening, and treating people with respect. When people feel valued, good things tend to follow.

Some of the best lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from a jobsite. Flying taught me a lot about preparation and fundamentals. When conditions aren’t perfect, and they usually aren’t, you don’t wing it. You trust your training, stick to the basics, and stay disciplined.

Priorities for the Year Ahead
My priorities as Chairman are pretty simple.

First, workforce development. We need to keep bringing people into this trade and showing them that masonry offers real opportunity and pride in what you do.

Second, advocacy and awareness. The MCAA is our voice, and we need to keep telling the story of the value masonry brings to our communities and our economy.

And third, balancing innovation with tradition. Masonry is one of the oldest trades around, but it’s always evolving. We should embrace better tools, safer practices, and new ideas, without losing what makes this craft special.

Building Something Together
Leadership isn’t a solo effort. The strength of the MCAA has always been its members who care about this industry and are willing to invest their time and energy into it.

As we lay the first brick of this new chapter, let’s do it with pride and optimism. Our craft is strong. Our people are strong. And together, what we’re building, brick by brick, will stand the test of time.

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

— Zig Ziglar


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