Brian Carney and John Blair Awarded C. Dewitt Brown Leadman Award

Each year, the Mason Contractors Association of America presents the C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award to an individual who has provided exemplary leadership in advancing the masonry industry. All of the individuals who have received this prestigious award have demonstrated a tireless dedication to our industry through years of volunteer support and hard work. They have helped to ensure that our industry remains vital for the nearly 500,000 people employed through masonry. [caption id="attachment_18964" align="alignnone" width="2440"]

Bruce Starrenburg Photography for MCAA[/caption] MCAA Chairman, Mike Sutter, presented the first C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award to Brian Carney, Vice President/General Manager for SPEC MIX LLC, at the MCAA Annual Meeting during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas on Thursday, January 25, 2018. Sutter remarked, “This individual has always been there to offer the MCAA his opinion and advice. From his college days working summers as a mason tender to the SPEC MIX team leader, Brian is the longest tenured member of the SPEC MIX crew. He joined the company back in the day when many people in the masonry industry thought the SPEC MIX silo and bulk bag system would be a “flash-in-the pan” thing. He’s responsible for SPEC MIX brand strategy, management and all things driving the company’s business development. [caption id="attachment_18965" align="alignnone" width="1000"]

Bruce Starrenburg Photography for MCAA[/caption] Brian has also played a lead role in MASONRY MADNESS® and the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500®. His tireless efforts have made MASONRY MADNESS into one of the largest spectacles at the World of Concrete each year, and his passion for workforce development and the masonry industry is undeniable. Brian has also served as the MCAA Marketing Committee co-chairman for several years.

“It is my honor and pleasure to present the C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award to Brian Carney,” said Sutter. MCAA President and CEO, Jeff Buczkiewicz, presented the second C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award to John Blair, Executive Director of the Canada Masonry Centre. “The individual we honor has given a lot of time and dedication to the industry. We thank him for this,” said Buczkiewicz. John Blair is well versed in construction contract and labor law, and has chaired numerous contract document and labor relation committees. He has also served as a trustee on a number of pension and health and welfare plans and industry-related technical committees. [caption id="attachment_18967" align="alignnone" width="1000"]

Bruce Starrenburg Photography for MCAA[/caption] Mr. Blair served as president of the national and provincial associations prior to assuming his duties as Executive Director of the Canada Masonry Centre, a joint venture of the Canadian Masonry Contractors’ Association (CMCA), the Ontario Masonry Contractors’ Association (OMCA), and the Metropolitan Industrial & Commercial Masonry Contractors, Inc. (MICMCI). John was directly responsible for the coordination, negotiation and administration of collective agreements with related union partners on behalf of signatory employers in the province of Ontario. He also acted in an advisory capacity to masonry employers in other provinces on labor relations and contract matters. Please visit www.masoncontractors.org/leadman-award to learn more about the C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award and to view a list of past recipients.

Brian Carney and John Blair Awarded C. Dewitt Brown Leadman Award

Words: Masonry Magazine Photos: Bruce Starrenburg

Vibing Masonry #10: Clay Brick Masonry Development from Ancient Roots to Future Innovation

Masonry in the Media: Fenway Park, Trim Castle, & More

2026 Masonry Hall Of Fame Nominations Are Open

Outreach Outlook: Celebrating CTE Month and the Madness of Masonry