Chairman's Message: Supporting The CMU Check-Off Program

Words: Paul Oldham

Paul Oldham, MCAA Chairman

As I’m writing this, we are a week away from heading to the 2020 MCAA Midyear Meeting in French Lick, Indiana. There have been many times over the last few months that it didn’t seem like we would get to have our fall gathering, but as of today, we are a go. The staff has been working diligently at keeping up with current safety protocols so we can have an enjoyable, productive, and safe event. It sounds like we have quite a few new faces attending this year, along with many of our long-time attendees. The CMU Check-Off Program, which we as contractors have supported, is moving forward and is in its next-to-last crucial phase at this time. As of Monday, August 24th, the Concrete Masonry Products Research Education Promotion draft order was published with the Federal Register.  What does this mean? The Program is in its public comment period, which means anyone can comment, question, or ask for more information on this program until October 8th.  What is the purpose of this program? The purpose of the proposed order is to strengthen the position of the concrete masonry products industry in the domestic marketplace, maintain, develop, and promote the use of concrete masonry products in construction and building.  Why would our industry need such a program? Our industry is made up of many small tightly-held businesses, and I will admit over the past decade some larger industry partners have consolidated certain industrial products. But, in general, many of our products are produced, sold, and installed by small businesses. In that environment, it is very hard to have the funds to do what this program does on much of a scale. I will use our company as an example, along with the ongoing debate as to why so many combustible building materials are being used today instead of concrete products. Our company can offer Lunch and Learns with architects and owners on the common sense benefits of concrete products to only so many groups with our limited resources and time.  We also know that for some of our audience, our words on subjects like this don’t hold a lot of weight. However, if as an industry, we had a unified campaign with people dedicated to such a subject, we could make progress even on the common sense subjects that we have struggled on for many years now to accomplish. What we have been doing as an industry hasn’t been working, and we are competing against some very large manufacturers of products. In this case, a certain portion of every dollar of that product is pooled into a common source of funds to perform such activities. So why would someone not support this program? The reasons I have heard include, ‘I don’t want the government involved in my business.’ The government's role in such a program is very minimal, and the oversight role to review the program is conducting its business as outlined and legally after its up and going. Also as business owners, we have to realize the government does this to all our small businesses, so why can’t we support a common cause? I encourage anyone that has questions or comments to please reach out to get the answers you are looking for so this program can be understood and successful. This would be an industry program and common ground on subjects that can be found to support the greater good of having such a program. After this public comment period, the Order will go to referendum to all producers of Concrete Masonry Units. I hope that everyone's families are staying safe, businesses are doing well and you are finding time to enjoy life. 
About: Chairman’s Message
Five Truths About Final Brick Cleandown
May 2026

Not all truths are self-evident. Sometimes they’re easy to forget or clouded with misunderstanding. The good news is these truths of final cleandown are not hard to implement on your next project to ensure successfully cleaned and beautiful new brick.

Jake Boyer
MAP Partner
Read More
Shelf Angles and Their Impact on Wall Performance
May 2026

Shelf angles have long been a standard component in masonry construction. Installed at the slab edge, they provide support for brick veneer and are often treated as a routine detail. However, as building performance requirements evolve, particularly aroun

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More
The Mason’s Mark: Defining the Craft Through the Trowel
May 2026

Walk onto any job site, from a custom residential chimney to a sprawling commercial block wall, and you will hear it before you see it: the distinctive ring of high-carbon steel striking masonry. The trowel is more than just a mortar scoop; it is the cond

Mark Maleski
Technical Talks
Read More
Registration Now Open for the 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio, Texas
May 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting, set to take place in San Antonio, Texas. This exciting event is scheduled from September 13th-1

Industry News
Read More