Chairman's Message: Masonry's Future

Words: Paul OdomPaul Odom, MCAA Chairman As I write this month’s message, I’m still thinking about how AMAZING the National SkillsUSA contest was. I’m so glad I got to travel to Louisville, Kentucky for this great event.  Seeing that many young adults out there in one place, competing to show off the skills they are learning to improve our nation’s workforce, is so encouraging. Of course, being a mason myself, I’m partial. I went through an apprenticeship, participated in a few contests, and I have judged and attended more than I can count throughout the years.  I love watching the speed and quality that each of these young people put into their projects.  But what I love more than that is what this competition represents:  the future of our industry. These kids are our future. Our future, as the masonry industry, depends on workforce development.  If you’re a mason contractor, you’ve probably faced a labor shortage several times in the past few years. [caption id="attachment_19884" align="alignnone" width="640"] MCAA Skills USA Contestants 2018[/caption] Workforce development is something we must continue to focus on.  We see the shift in schools to support trades again and that’s great.  However, we must be diligent to ensure that masonry is one of the trades your area schools push.  I encourage you to reach out to your local and state associations and area schools to see how you can help.  Recruiting students intomasonry programs is also key.  This is a great profession, but we must share this passion and pride with both the prospective students andtheir parents to recruit the best. We have a lot to share. Masonry is a proud industry and one in which teamwork and family principles thrive.  You can see this in everything we do.  Even at the SkillsUSA contest, we all pitched in to set up and clean up together. We, as mason contractors, all work together and it is one of the things that I love most about being part of the masonry industry.  To quote MCAA, “Together we are Stronger.” Next month we’ve got the opportunity to grow stronger together at the Midyear Meeting in Austin, Texas, my home state.  I look forward to welcoming many of you there as we gather to learn and network as an industry.  You won’t want to miss it.  Be sure to check out the event lineup on MCAA’s website.  Also, remember that the offer still stands that I’ll cover 50% of your membership for first time members.  I continue to be that convinced that you’ll love this association as I do. Until next month… Paul
About: Chairman’s Message
Outreach Outlook: Celebrating CTE Month and the Madness of Masonry
February 2026

As we settle into February, the masonry industry turns its focus to a celebration that lies at the very heart of our mission: National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. For the Outreach & Education Division, this isn't just a date on the calen

Robert Melgaard
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Stop Juggling: The Best Way to Master Your Masonry Job Sites
January 2026

You’re in the business of building structures that will stand for generations. Yet, too often, the process of managing the job site feels built on quicksand. Every construction project manager knows the feeling: the constant, fra

Erin Koets
Technical Talks
Read More
Brick Jointers: Purpose, Patterns, & Practical Applications
January 2026

After leads have been built and bricks have been laid, it’s crucial to tool the joints before the mortar sets. The tool of choice for this task is a brick jointer, but it can be tricky to decide which one to use. This guide will walk through the purpose o

Mackenzie Claassen
Technical Talks
Read More
Laying It Straight: Line-Holding Accessories for Masons Who Demand Precision
January 2026

When it comes to laying brick, block, or stone, nothing replaces a good line. A tight, true mason’s line is the backbone of straight courses and clean elevations, and the hardware holding that line is every bit as critical. Bon Tool’s lineup of Line & Lin

Paul Bender
Technical Talks
Read More