January 2014

On the Forefront

Jennifer Morrell Editor jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com

Since becoming editor of Masonry in 2007, I have seen our industry’s focuses shift and change – all in the direction of growth. Involved and determined mason contractors and industry leaders, along with the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), keep ideas fresh and efforts concerted.

Last year, I wrote about two strong initiatives that will help our industry: incorporating masonry into BIM software, and the Check-off Program for the block industry. I am impressed with the progress being made in these areas, and you can look for articles updating you on the strides we’ve made as the year goes on.

OSHA has reared its head again regarding silica issues, and as always, the MCAA – along with our lobbying group in Washington, The Keelen Group – is on top of this situation. It’s another “big deal” to our industry that we’ll continue to inform you about.

Currently, our industry is knee deep in another initiative that impresses the socks off me: education. During my last six years working with mason contractors, industry key players and the MCAA executive board, I have heard it time and again: We need continuing education as well as education to develop a future workforce. I am happy to report, we’re doing just that.

You can read about these efforts on p. 14 (“A New Learning Curve”) and p. 20 (“Book Smart Masons”). I hope these articles, written by the MCAA’s Tim O’Toole and Mortar Net’s Steve Fechino, respectively, can provide you some insight into the progress we’re making. We’ve come a long way, and we have many more strides to hit. And, we will get there.

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