Masonry Magazine June 1980 Page. 25
Mason Contractor News
Bob Harrison on Mend, Writes to MCAA Friends
Bob Harrison, former treasurer of MCAA and currently a member of its Education and Finance Committees, recently wrote to the MCAA Executive Office with an update on his convalescence following a serious job-related accident in which he suffered multiple fractures the latter part of May. Bob had this to say:
"Heartfelt thanks to George Miller and all my friends at MCAA for their generous and thoughtful expressions of concern during my recent hospitalization. Your cards, letters and prayers are deeply appreciated and have greatly helped to ease the pain and frustrations I am going through while recuperating at home.
"My broken ribs are coming along fine, but my broken right hand and wrist are painful and useless at this time. I hope by the end of June to have all the pins and hardware removed and a more permanent cast put on so that I may drive a car and travel around.
"Thanks again to everyone for your kindness. I remain your friend-but now left-handed!"
He signed it. "Lefty" Bob Harrison.
Engineering Journal Features John T. Joyce
John T. Joyce, president of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen, Washington, D.C., was pictured on the cover and the subject of a feature article in the prestigious professional journal, Engineering News-Record, published by McGraw-Hill.
The article, titled "Joyce Strong at Bricklayers' Helm," appeared in the June 5, 1980 issue, and characterized Joyce as a "fanatical planner," "forward-looking," and an "innovator likely to wield influence on the U.S. labor movement and the building trades in general, and on the International (Bricklayers) Union in particular, for many years."
MCAA's New Seminars on Management to be Introduced in September
"Masonry Management For a Profit," MCAA's new educational series of seminars, will be introduced September 12-13, 1980 at the Oak Brook Hyatt House in Oak Brook, III. The newly developed course, to be conducted by well known lecturer Jerry G. Pope, was previewed during MCAA's recent International Masonry Conference in Dallas and is a follow-up to Pope's long-standing seminar series on "Masonry Estimating For a Profit."
Each seminar will run for one and one-half days and is based on Pope's new manual, "Masonry Management For a Profit," his newest work designed for construction project managers. Pope is immediate past-president of the MCAA Colorado Chapter and for many years has been associated with Hensel Phelps Construction Co. of Greeley, Colo., one of the largest construction firms in the nation.
The course already has been scheduled by MCAA Chapters in Milwaukee and Salt Lake City for presentation in November. Other Chapters are urged to contact the MCAA Executive Office as soon as possible to confirm the dates available for their areas. The course is open to key personnel of all mason contracting and construction firms. Registrations will be limited to 40 persons per session.
Concrete Masonry Group Formed in Connecticut
The newest organization to be formed in the masonry industry is the Connecticut Masonry Producers Association, with Paul J. Orsina serving as president. Its offices are located in the Cold Spring Brook Industrial Area in Westbrook.
Acme Brick Involved In Fuel Research
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the award of a research grant to a consortium made up of Acme Brick Co., the City of Denton, Texas, and North Texas State University's chemistry department.
The consortium will study the technical feasibility of using urban wastes as a potential energy source for brick plants. The DOE grant is for $60,000, and the toal dollar value of the proposed research is in excess of $125,000.
Acme Brick has been one of the leaders in the study of, and conver- sion to, solid fuel use in brick plants.
Earl Child Honored
Earl S. Child, past president of the Utah Mason Contractors Association and recipient of its 1979 Outstanding Mason Contractor Award, received the Subcontractor of the Year Award at a recent meeting of the Associated General Contractors. Some 400 persons representing all phases of the construction industry attended the meeting.
Mitchell Heads BAT
James P. Mitchell has been named administrator of the Bureau of Apprenticeship & Training of the U.S. Department of Labor. He succeeds Robert J. McCannon, who recently retired. Mitchell has served with BAT for 30 years, the last nine as deputy administrator.