Ray McDermott wins the 2007 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Denver Regional

Words: Al Arreguin
/Public/News/20070827163000-1.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® will be held Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Nevada.">
The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® will be held Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ray McDermott, with Selway Masonry, Lakewood, CO, is going to the National by winning the 2007 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Denver Regional hosted by QUIKRETE Denver, a SPEC MIX licensee for the Colorado region. The Regional was held on August 25, at the Denver, CO, facility of QUIKRETE, and drew masons from several cities in the state.

It was a big day for Selway Masonry, as Ray and his tender Leo Mullen laid 522 brick to lead the pack. Gilberto Madera, with Fischbach Masonry, Lakewood, CO, and his tender Jesus Madera won the TOP CRAFTSMAN award and 3rd place. The first place winner moves on to the Nationals held on January 23, at the 2008 World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Nevada.

SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 Chicago Regional Results:

1st Place
Mason: Ray McDermott
Tender: Leo Mullen
Brick Count: 522
Company: Selway Masonry
Location: Denver, CO

Craftsmanship
Mason: Gilberto Madera
Tender: Jesus Madera
Company: Fischbach Masonry
Location: Denver, CO

2nd Place
Mason: Erick Hermosillo
Tender: Gerardo Tarango
Company: Eatherton Masonry
Location: Denver, CO

3rd Place
Mason: Gilberto Madera
Tender: Jesus Madera
Company: Fischbach Masonry
Location: Denver, CO
Elevating Masonry: Old Habits, Familiar Tools, and the Real Reason Masonry Contractors Aren’t Making the Switch
May 2026

Ask a masonry contractor how they run their jobsite, and the answer probably sounds familiar: paper logs, a flurry of texts, maybe a shared email thread. It works until it doesn’t. And yet, even as purpose-built field management software has become more a

The Cornerstone of Craftsmanship: Nurturing Masonry Talent Through Competition
May 2026

In the evolving landscape of skilled trades, masonry stands as a testament to enduring craftsmanship and dedication. Yet, the question of how to cultivate and showcase this vital expertise remains paramount. While the bright lights of national competition

There’s the Typical Way to Brace a Wall. And Then There’s a Better Way.
May 2026

Wall bracing is one of the most important safety considerations on any masonry jobsite, yet it is often treated as a task that happens after the wall is built. Crews return, equipment is brought in, and time is set aside to secure walls that have already

Remembering Harry McGraw
May 2026

The masonry industry has lost one of its great teachers and craftsmen with the passing of Harry Edward McGraw, who died April 26, 2026, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 93.