Lopez wins David R. Simon Award

Words: Lynn NashJulio Eric Lopez of Gates Construction Company in Mooresville has won the 2013 “David R. Simon Award” for his First Place finish at the Annual NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest.

Adams, an Oldcastle company and the Eastern Carolina Chapter of NCMCA co-hosted the contest in Williamston, NC.

In the photograph, bottom, left to right: Lane Mullis, McGee Brothers Company, 10th; Dallas Helms, Huntley Brothers Company, 9th; Reid Hallman, McGee Brothers Company, 8th; Fernando Olalde, Brodie Contractors, 7th; and Marco Roldan, Manning Masonry, 6th.

Top, left to right: NCMCA President Gary Joyner, who served as Master of Ceremonies for the event; Juan Rodriguez, Brodie Contractors, 4th; Noah Baucom, McGee Brothers Company, 3rd; new champion Julio Eric Lopez; Kale Hallman, McGee Brothers Company, 2nd; and Kelton McGee, McGee Brothers Company, 5th.

Lopez, who has been with Gates Construction for four years, will have the opportunity to represent North Carolina at the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Annual Apprentice Skills Challenge at the Las Vegas World of Masonry in 2014.
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