Chairman's Message: Navigating 2021 with the MCAA

Words: Paul Oldham

Paul Oldham, MCAA Chairman

  Spring is around the corner here in the Midwest and where will 2021 take us all? The year for us is starting a lot slower than we have seen in many years, but there seems to be work in the pipeline. December and January our company has experienced more COVID cases so far during the Pandemic combined. It doesn’t make much sense but it is what it is. If there was a time for us to have more hardship with the pandemic this is the time with our work being slower than any point in 2020. As I write this article in the first week of January, the MCAA is preparing for our Annual Meeting to be held at Captiva Island, FL. This is a change this year with the World of Concrete/ World of Masonry moving to June. The MCAA Board and staff felt it was important to hold our Annual Meeting at the normal time of year rather than waiting until June. We held a successful and safe event back in September so we felt we could do it again.  So hopefully since this article will be published after the February event, everyone that wanted to attend was able to and the event was a success. I’m looking forward to it. It's always nice to get away from the business for a few days and talk business with fellow contractors. As I have said before, it provides me with a reset and has me step back and evaluate our business and how we can improve what and how we do it. As always, I encourage fellow contractors to come and experience these meetings and opportunities. If anyone ever has any questions or wants to ask why should I attend events, please give me a call or send me an email. At the Annual Meeting, you likely received some information regarding our new branded apparel. We are excited to have a new MCAA Apparel Store where you can order items. You can find this on the website under “Shop” in the drop-down menu and then click on Apparel. The kick-off of this store is branded items with MCAA or Masonry Strong logos on them. The Masonry Strong initiative is going to be tied to many aspects of MCAA over the coming years, so support the MCAA and get some merch to show your involvement. Well, this is number 12 of 24 Chairman’s Messages. My first year as Chairman of the Mason Contractors Association of America has not been as I had imagined but the ride continues and I value the opportunity more every day.   
About: Chairman’s Message
High-Performance Masonry Units: Elevating Structural Integrity and Aesthetics
September 2025

Manufactured concrete masonry units have been present in the construction marketplace for over 120 years. They are ubiquitous and are made in virtually every country on earth. The development of high-performance masonry units currently available across th

Peter Roberts
Technical Talks
Read More
Building Tomorrow, Digitally: How Tech is Revolutionizing Masonry
September 2025

The rhythmic tap of the trowel, the satisfying click of brick on mortar – masonry, in its essence, is a craft steeped in tradition. For centuries, it has shaped our skylines, built our homes, and stood as a testament to human ingenuity and skill. But just

Erin Koets
MAP Partner
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 28 Recap: Kendall Anderegg, President and CEO at Mutual Materials Company
September 2025

Kendall Anderg's journey in the masonry industry is a remarkable tale of legacy, innovation, and community impact. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Kendall's family business has been a staple in the industry since its founding in 1900. Now celebrating

Justin Stengel
The MASONRY STRONG Podcast
Read More
Ensuring Safety in Scaffold Access and Transference
September 2025

One of the most relevant issues currently affecting the industry is scaffold plans and safety. You are probably aware of new scaffold regulations required by general contractors and owners. IT IS VITAL THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS WHEN BIDDING

Clint Bridges
MAP Partner
Read More