November 2016: From the Editor

Words: Dan Kamys

Committees: Strong Commitment to the MCAA

Karen HickeyKaren D. Hickey, Editor - karen@lionhrtpub.com

Last month I wrote about the efforts of the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association to involve younger people in the masonry industry. I mentioned Brandon Hartsell, who is leading the charge in that state. Brandon was recently appointed co-chair of MCAA’s South of 40 Committee, and he’ll be working on a national level toward this effort. Congratulations to Brandon for this honor! Besides the South of 40 Committee, there are nine other committees working toward MCAA’s long-range goals. These include:
•    Bylaws •    Certification
•    Education •    Legislative
•    Marketing •    Membership
•    Safety •    Technical
•    Workforce Development
Committees are the building blocks for associations. It’s through strong committee structures that the work of successful associations is done. Committees and their chairmen, when motivated, help the organization involve members, develop direction and achieve its long-range goals. Any effective organization, whether it is a volunteer organization, private sector, or even governmental, can accomplish great tasks through strong, vital committee structures. The Mason Contractors Association of America is no different. MCAA’s ads read, “We are masonry. Together we are stronger.” While this is a call for membership in the association, it is also a call for active participation. The more we put into MCAA, the more we will get out of it and better our industry. MCAA has achieved significant milestones as a direct result of active committees. When members are committed to MCAA’s mission, the committees can carry on meaningful work, and successfully so. Volunteer for an MCAA committee today. Visit www.masoncontractors.org/committees to find out more. Save
Chemicals In Masonry
September 2026

Mason contractors must deal with chemicals on the job site. One of the main ones comes in the form of dust. Another is acid. From high-rise commercial structures to residential facades, masonry work involves handling raw materials that require careful man

Zach Everett
Safety Library
Safety
Read More
Brick Staining Dos and Don'ts: Managing Modern and Historic Masonry Construction
September 2026

Every mason contractor has encountered it, or will. A replacement brick arrives from a different production run. A cast stone repair patch or perhaps a darker panel stands out against the surrounding installation. Mortar color varies unexpectedly. A clea

Jennifer Gill
Technical Talks
Brick Staining Masonry Staining Staining
Read More
Gables Republic Square & Hotel ZaZa
September 2026

Gables Republic Square / Hotel ZaZa is a 24-story mixed-use boutique hotel and urban residential tower with street-level retail located on a 0.75-acre site in downtown Austin. Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. (CMS) was responsible for the supply and instal

Dawn Kornegay
Case Study
Brick Clay Brick Residential
Read More
The Utah Masonry Council's Masonry Education Day
September 2026

The 2026 Masonry Education Day at Interstate Brick in West Jordan is bringing together members of Utah’s architecture, engineering, and construction community for a day focused on education, technical understanding, and workforce development. The event r

Cassie Mejia
Industry News
Read More