Mark Kemp 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. MCAA Chairman Mike Sutter presented the 2017 C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award to Mark Kemp of Superior Masonry Builders, Inc. in Butler, Wisc. at the MCAA Annual Meeting during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas on Thursday, January 19, 2017. “The individual that we honor here today has served and been a leader in the masonry industry for several years,” said Sutter. Mark Kemp has been in the construction business since the late 1960’s. He started as a yard employee and worked for Superior Masonry Builders during his college years. In 1973, he started a brick washing company called Badger Brickwashers, cleaning brick for various mason contractors. This gave him practical business knowledge while attending UW-M and majoring in Business Administration. He graduated from UW-M in 1975 with a Business Degree and proceeded to work for Superior Masonry Builders as Secretary-Treasurer. While running the office, he soon took over the operations of both the concrete and masonry divisions. In 1982, he took over full control of Superior Masonry Builders, becoming President and acting as CEO. This growing up through the ranks is what helps solidify the office and the field. Kemp has served on the MCAA Board for several years, holding the positions of Region D Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice Chairman, and Chairman. He currently serves as the Chairman of The Masonry Foundation. “It is my honor and pleasure to present the C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award to Mark Kemp,” said Sutter.
Words and Photos: Masonry Magazine
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
The Importance of Eye Protection in Masonry
January 2026

There are few stereotypes more iconic than the image of a construction worker wearing a hard hat and safety glasses. Protective glasses are among the most common items worn by workers in the masonry field, second only to the hard hat. According to OSHA, w

Justus Everett
Safety Library
Read More