Masonry Magazine September 2008 Page. 10
For The Record
Jennifer Morrell
Editor
jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com
MASONRY
The Voice of the Masonry Induse
MASONRY Magazine
Official Publication of the
Mason Contractors Association of America and the
Canadian Masonry Contractors Association
MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
President Tom Daniel
Vice President Mackie Bounds
Secretary Jan Smith
Treasurer Mark Kemp
Regional Vice Presidents
Robert Barnesk
Ron Bennett
Edwin Davenport
Douglas Nichols
Richard Porter
Tim Spiliker
Mike Sutter
Roy Sandal
Executive Director ff Buczkiewica
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Government Affairs Representaties The Keelen Gro
Director of Membership Mandy Adams
Masager of leformation Tech Timothy W
Administrative Assistant Ann Brownsell
Casaltant Rashod Johnsor
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
David Jolly Jolly Masonry Contractors), Chrysler (MM),
PCAL David (Petit Construction), J. Smith Joe Smith
Co., Brian Grant (Grant/Jack's Masonry), Jerry Painter (Painter Maso
Doug Nichols (Doug Nichols Enterprises
Inc.), Tom Daniel (GBC Concrete and Masonry Construction, Inc.)
Executive Office
33 South Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
Phone: 847.301.0001 or 800.536.2225
Fac 847.301.1110
Car
MASONRY is the official publication of the Mason Contractors
America (MCA) and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association
The magazine acts as a sounding board without approving d
paranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data, clain or opiniana
under a byline of obtained or quoted from an acknowledged source
expressed by officers do not necessarily reflect the official views of
CMICA. The appearance of advertising or new product information doc
stitute an endorsement by MCAACMICA of product featured
MASONRY ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE
Send all advertising and editorial submissions for Masan
Lionheart Publishing, Inc.
506 Roswell Street, Suite 220, Marietta, GA 30060 SA
Tel: 770.431.0867 Fax 770.432.6969 E-mail: pictu
www.mawerynagzine.com
Publisher Llewy
Editor Jennifer Ma
Assister Cory Sekine Piec
Staff Writer Bett Martinet.com)
Art Director Brubaker(abrutalelor
Production Designer Cristopherp
Production Assistant Kat Wongtongtub.com
Online Projects Manager Patton McGinley (patton
Advertising Sales Manand
At Shafferationpub.com
Reprints Kelly Millwood kelly@tub.c
The Voice of the Masonry Industry
Laying the Last Brick
In August, we published a story about a Florida mason, Jim Doane. As a token of appreciation, he sent me a book, "The Hod Carrier: Leadership Lessons Learned on a Ladder" by Mark Kimbell. In the book, Kimbell talks about the principles he learned during his days of carrying a heavy hod of bricks up a ladder.
He writes, "Hard, physical work has a clarifying effect. It forces you to be focused, efficient and relentless. That's why I find myself reverting back so often to the principles of productivity, commitment, teamwork and accomplishment that I learned in the simple role of hod carrier."
Reserve your
Product
in
Masonry's
Showcase
Today!
Contact:
Marvin Diamond
Phone:
770.431.0867, ext.208,
or 888.303.5639
FAX:
770.432.6969
E-mail:
marvin@lionhrtpub.com
Masonry
Kimbell also writes that he wouldn't want his own sons to be hod carriers because of the grueling nature of the work. "We want to learn all the right lessons, but not the hard way," he writes, adding that the book is his way of passing along the lessons he learned in that extreme environment.
I think Kimbell makes a great point. Wouldn't it be terrific if we could learn life's toughest lessons just by listening to others? If we weren't stubborn and would borrow from the wisdom of people who've already made our future mistakes, we could save ourselves a lot of grief.
I've thought further about Kimbell's lessons learned from the excruciating work of repeatedly carrying a loaded hod up a ladder. And, I've concluded that masons are special for many reasons, not the least of which is their ability to see the big picture and persevere until the end until the last brick, block or stone has been laid. Applying these philosophies to all aspects of life can only be a good thing.
Here are a few lessons and suggestions from Kimbell's book. I suggest you pick up a copy; it's a quick and easy read that leaves a smile on your face.
Stop walking around the brick pile.
Bricks are twice as heavy when you're behind.
You only get paid when bricks are being laid.
Don't make bad mortar men out of good brick men.
There's nothing like laying the last brick.
You can't forget whose brick you're laying. IMAS
Jemifch A. momell
September 2008 www.masoncontractors.org