December 2007: President's Message

Words: Dan KamysDecember 2007

Wrapping up Another Year

Frank CampitelliFrank Campitelli President, Mason Contractors Association of America

It's hard to believe another year is quickly coming to a close. In the same respect, it is even more shocking to realize that next month's message will be the last of my presidency. The two years that I have spent as president of the MCAA have been some of the fastest years of my life. One the greatest accomplishments, when reflecting on my presidency, is that of selling our trade show and becoming the primary sponsor of World of Masonry, which just recently occurred.

I would like to invite everyone reading this article to attend World of Masonry, Jan. 21 through 25. It will certainly be one of the most exciting shows the MCAA has ever been associated with, and it is quite exciting to be a part of that experience. If you have not had a chance to register for the program, you may do so at www.masoncontractors.org.

You will notice four MCAA programs, plus an impressive list of Hanley Wood-offered education courses. All members of the MCAA will receive discounts on their education registrations through Hanley Wood and need to indicate on their forms that they are members. The convention will be filled with action and exciting programs, from Henry Winkler giving our Opening Session presentation and the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500, to the MCAA International Skills Challenge and the Fastest Trowel Contest, all happening at the same place in the same week for the very first time.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that our time is so important, especially during this holiday season. I would encourage everyone to sit back and enjoy the holidays with your family and friends, and don't let the hustle and bustle of the season pull you away or affect the time you spend with them. We all know it won't be long before we're all asking ourselves where 2008 has gone. I wish you and yours a very happy and special holiday season!

The Thirty-Year Mason: Ergonomics as a Retention Strategy
June 2026

In most industry circles, the conversation around the labor shortage follows a predictable script: How do we find the next generation of masons? While recruitment is vital, we often overlook the most valuable asset already on the job site: the experienced

Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma

Chairman’s Message: When Things Don’t Go as Planned
June 2026

Not every day in this business goes the way we planned. Some days, everything lines up. The crew is moving well. Materials are on time. The job is flowing the way you hoped it would. And then there are the other days. The ones where something breaks. T