The Changing Seasons

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

The Changing Seasons

Dan Kamys, Editor - dkamys@staging1.masonrymagazine.com

The change in seasons from summer to fall happens to be one of my favorites. Something about the stifling hot air turning cooler, combined with the changing colors of falling leaves, I always look forward to this time of the year. Actually, it could also be that we’re easing into the holiday season, or as I like to call it the “season of eating.” Nonetheless, our September issue has been one of my favorites to put together with Bronzella. We have several pieces that we have been really lucky to include. The first is an interview with a dear friend of the MCAA and Masonry, Congressman Rodney Davis from Illinois. Not only is he a tremendous supporter of this industry, but he takes a very practical approach to the issues he faces. Additionally, we have an article on the NMIA Conference. For those of you that don’t know, it is the National Masonry Instructors Association, and it is an important part of workforce development for the industry. On that similar topic, we have another in our GEN NXT series, sponsored by JagClamp. For this interview, we had the chance to sit down with Melonie Leslie, General Manager of G&G Enterprises. She not only marks the first woman we’ve had the opportunity to speak with, but unique story and dedication to the trade makes her someone worth watching. In addition to GEN NXT, we have a piece on finding and retaining qualified workers. Combined with workforce development, worker retention is a big issue facing many contractors. While we can’t solve the problems of the universe in the magazine, hopefully you find the suggestions and advice useful. On a final, personal note, I couldn’t possibly go this month without letting you know that my fiancée Audrie and I welcomed our first baby in July— a boy named Finn. I’ve already told his mom that he’s coming with me to all the work events once he’s old enough. Learning about masonry the way I have in the past year, I told her I’d be thrilled if he wanted to pursue a career in the trades. When I think about what college costs might skyrocket to by the time he’s ready to go, the construction industry just keeps looking better and better. All in all, I hope you find the items in this issue useful. As always, we are open to suggestions for improvement and look forward to hearing your feedback. I hope you’ve had a busy summer season of work, and that you stay swamped with business as the seasons change. Best, Dan dsig
Lasers in Layout
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Lasers have become an essential tool in modern construction. There was a time when rotary lasers were so expensive that only one person on the crew was trusted to set them up and operate them. As technology improved and prices became more affordable, rota

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Technical Talks
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Hines Market Square
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Hines Market Square, now known as Aris Market Square, is a mixed-use, multifamily development located in downtown Houston. The architect on this project, Ziegler Cooper, is known for reshaping the urban landscape. In keeping with their vision, the buildin

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Understanding Met-Guard Protection in Work Boots
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Masonry work demands precision and strength, but it also comes with unavoidable risks. From handling heavy materials like brick and block to operating cutting equipment and working in tight, active environments, tradesmen and tradeswomen regularly expose

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Why Joint Profiles Matter In Masonry Restoration
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For generations, masonry structures have been defined not only by the brick, block, or stone used in construction, but also by the mortar joints that tie everything together. Whether restoring a historic brick facade, repairing natural stone veneer, or re

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Joint Reinforcement Jointers Restoration
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