Hallman Wins 56th Masonry Contest at N.C. State Fair

Words: Neal Adams
/Public/News/20091027082200-1.jpg" width="530" height="298" border="0" alt="Pictured from left to right: (top row) Gary Manning (contest judge), Jared Gandy (2nd place), Rhett Hallman (1st place winner), Calvin Brodie (contest planning committee), and Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry; (bottom row) Justin Helms (5th place), Chris Lunsford (4th place), Macy Williams (3rd place), and Doug Burton (head judge).">
Pictured from left to right: (top row) Gary Manning (contest judge), Jared Gandy (2nd place), Rhett Hallman (1st place winner), Calvin Brodie (contest planning committee), and Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry; (bottom row) Justin Helms (5th place), Chris Lunsford (4th place), Macy Williams (3rd place), and Doug Burton (head judge).

Rhett Hallman was the first place winner at the 56th Annual Masonry Apprentice Contest at the N.C. State Fair on Monday, October 19, 2009.

Hallman, who works for McGee Brothers Co., won a $325 premium from the State Fair, a plaque and an assortment of sponsor prizes for his efforts. He is from Monroe.

“The apprentice contests give these workers an opportunity to showcase their skills while having fun at the fair,” Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said. “I congratulate all of them for taking part in this contest and for learning skills that will benefit them and our state.”

Apprenticeships have been the backbone of North Carolina’s work preparation programs for more than 70 years. Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related classroom instruction to prepare exceptional workers for North Carolina and America’s industry.

Jared Gandy from Concord, who also works for McGee Brothers Co., placed second. Macy Williams from Franklinton, who works for Brodie Contractors, took home third place honors.

Fifteen masonry apprentices competed in the contest. To be eligible to compete, apprentices must be registered in the occupation and training with an employer that has a program registered with the N.C. Department of Labor.

Contests are held in masonry, HV/AC-R, electrical, carpentry and plumbing.
Beyond the Block: Aesthetic Innovations in CMU Construction
August 2026

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) have long been a mainstay of construction. They are well known as a “tried and true” material with a long history of high-strength structural performance, affordability, ease of assembly, and a long lifecycle. CMU constructio

Peter Roberts
Technical Talks
Block
Read More
The Most Overlooked Profit Center on Your Job Site
August 2026

The real cost of equipment ownership isn't what you pay on day one. It's what happens over the years that follow. The purchase price of a new mortar mixer, grout pump, material handling system, or masonry saw is only part of the investment. What happens

Steve Wheeler
MAP Partner
Read More
Installation Starts Before the First Course
August 2026

Some of the most expensive masonry installation problems begin long before crews arrive onsite. By the time a project reaches the field, many coordination decisions have already been made. Dimensional conflicts, congested reinforcement, specialty materia

Technical Talks
Read More
Designing for Performance: Key Considerations for Efficient, Durable Masonry Projects
August 2026

A successful masonry project starts well before the first stone is set. The craftsmanship on site matters, of course, but many of the decisions that shape the final result are made much earlier—during design, detailing, and material selection. Those choic

Jeff Tew
MAP Partner
Manufactured Stone MAP Partner Stone (Exterior) Stone (Interior)
Read More