January 2013: From the Editor

Words: Dan Kamys From the Editor

I write this column with heavy heart, in light of the horrid events that occurred in Connecticut Dec. 14, 2012. Twenty-six people lost their lives in the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings and, as we know, 20 of them were children. Six of them were adult heroes.

I attended my daughter’s classroom Christmas party this week - a room full of 1st graders. I tried (unsuccessfully) to hold back tears as they sang Christmas carols for all of us parents. Tears of joy that I would get to tuck my little girl into bed that night, and tears of sorrow for the many parents who, for whatever reason, would not again. As they stood before us, dressed in their Christmas best and smiling through snaggled teeth, I could only think of what a treasure our children really are. What a blessing.

As we kick off a new year, we have a new opportunity before us: to make 2013 better than the year before. How do we do that? Some of it involves circumstance that we cannot control, and how we react to it. Some of it, however, will be based on our own decision making. This applies to everything in our lives. Each decision, big or small, has an impact. How you run your business, how you treat your employees, and even how you respond to a stranger on the street - all of it matters.

Let’s vow to make the most educated, thoughtful and productive decisions we can in 2013. Let’s take this turning economy by the horns and make noted progress. And, most of all, let’s remember how short life can be. Shorter for some, than for others. Leave nothing on the table, and nothing left unsaid. A new year and a fresh start, backed by the wisdom we’ve garnered through this point.

Return to Table of Contents

Terminations: The Hardest Part of Leadership
May 2026

Throughout my career, I’ve faced a wide variety of challenges, some technical, some interpersonal, and many that forced me to adapt quickly. These days, most of my work is behind a computer in an office, but the lessons I’ve learned apply wherever I go.

The Compliance Shield: Navigating the New Standards of Field Oversight
May 2026

The modern job site is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation. While the physical act of laying a block remains the core of the trade, the environment surrounding that work is becoming increasingly data-driven. We are moving away from the era o

When GEORGE Met BOB: Ironsite Is MCAA's First AI-Centered Cornerstone Partner
May 2026

Earlier this year at World of Concrete, I taught the AI Test Drive class and gave attendees an early look at GEORGE 3.0, which we're set to release later this year. As I was wrapping up the session and people were still asking questions, the team from Iro

Ironsite Joins Masonry Alliance Program as Newest Cornerstone Partner
May 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that Ironsite will be joining the Masonry Alliance Program (MAP) at the Cornerstone level.