September 2010: President's Message

Words: Dan Kamys

September 2010

President's Message Mackie BoundsGet Involved on All Levels

Mackie Bounds President Mason Contractors Association of America

I know we are all busy trying to get busy, and times are tough. At the same time, there are so many positive things happening, and it gives me great hope for the future. Each of us have already or are now making adjustments in our businesses, so we can better handle the current conditions. This also will enable us to do better when the good times come back. In addition, our association is working for us in a manner that will make the good times even better! That is all exciting! After attending a great Mid-Year Meeting in Chicago and returning from our State Convention for the Texas Masonry Council, we still have work to do to get our message out. This is a huge task, but I am determined to continue speaking about the value that the MCAA brings to the contractor. Some of you may think you don’t need the MCAA. I have asked many of you what makes the AGC so strong. You answered that there is a local, state and national association, and they all work together. We, the Mason Contractors, can do the same. The local and state associations are equally as important as the MCAA. Each one is able to do for us what the other cannot. The MCAA is working with the federal government on legislation to increase our market share. We are working on safety issues with OSHA, technical issues, through ASTM, workforce development, certification programs, and the list continues to grow. Our partner, NCMA, and we have information that can be used by teams around the country as we call on our city councilmen and local school board members as we grow our market share. There is no need for local or state associations to reinvent the wheel when the information is already there. Now, if we could get every region of the Brick Industry Association to participate with Vision 20/20, things will get even better. I must say I am disappointed with the lack of participation on the national level, but, hopefully, they will decide soon to be a part of a united industry working together for the same cause. I want to encourage every mason contractor in the country to join at every level: local, state and the MCAA, and we will be successful. Even though we do great things through the MCAA, your local and state associations can give you things that we can’t. Until we are members of all three, we will be missing valuable information. I say from my own experience here at home, the Central Texas Mason Contractors and Texas Masonry Council bring great value to us, along with the MCAA. Until next time, this old cowboy says, “Shoot for the moon and, even if you miss, you will land among the stars!” Return to Table of Contents
About: President's Message
Masonry in the Media: Fenway Park, Trim Castle, & More
February 2026

The settings of films influence the atmosphere of a scene and immerse the viewers in their movie-going experience. From Parisienne train stations to Boston baseball parks, these four masonry-made structures set the scene in the films they were featured in

Lily Burger
Masonry in the Media
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Celebrating CTE Month and the Madness of Masonry
February 2026

As we settle into February, the masonry industry turns its focus to a celebration that lies at the very heart of our mission: National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. For the Outreach & Education Division, this isn't just a date on the calen

Robert Melgaard
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Stop Juggling: The Best Way to Master Your Masonry Job Sites
January 2026

You’re in the business of building structures that will stand for generations. Yet, too often, the process of managing the job site feels built on quicksand. Every construction project manager knows the feeling: the constant, fra

Erin Koets
Technical Talks
Read More
Laying It Straight: Line-Holding Accessories for Masons Who Demand Precision
January 2026

When it comes to laying brick, block, or stone, nothing replaces a good line. A tight, true mason’s line is the backbone of straight courses and clean elevations, and the hardware holding that line is every bit as critical. Bon Tool’s lineup of Line & Lin

Paul Bender
Technical Talks
Read More