NCMCA

Words: Dan Kamys NCMCA

ncmca

Shown are elected at the April North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA) Annual Convention for the 2010-2012 term. They are (left to right), Eastern Regional VP James “Bo” Black, Carolina Masonry Unlimited Inc., Apex; Chairman of the Board, Gary Manning, CME, Manning Masonry Inc., Williamston; Central Regional VP Chris Bruner, CMP, Gates Construction Co., Mooresville; President Larry Kirby, CME, Kirby Construction Services, Conover; Secretary-Treasurer Ashlee K. Moore, CMP, Koontz Masonry, Lexington, N.C.; and President-elect Gary Joyner, CME, Joyner Masonry Works Inc., Greenville, N.C. Not pictured is Western Regional VP Don Caldwell, C & R Masonry, Candler.

Convention attendees enjoyed three days at Atlantic Beach, N.C., and heard positive messages about the masonry industry from convention speakers Mackie Bounds, president of the MCAA, and Charles “Chuck” Ostrander, executive director of the Masonry Advisory Council.

Contractor Tip of the Month: Get Used to the Pain
April 2026

Pain isn’t just negative; it’s a natural part of growing and improving. Instead of seeing pain as a reason to quit, recognize it as a sign you’re making progress. What sets successful people apart is their ability to stay calm and keep going when things g

Fechino Files: Diesels Below 32 Degrees
April 2026

I am guessing that if you are reading this, then you experienced the cold, late-January spell that took over most of the country. The cold weather has many effects on the operations of a masonry contractor, from job shutdowns to equipment starting issues,

Outreach Outlook: Building Momentum Across the Southern Region
April 2026

As April arrives, the pace of our outreach and workforce efforts across the Southern Region reaches a new level of intensity. This is the time of year when our programs, partners, and state collaborators all accelerate at once. SkillsUSA competitions are

Marvelous Masonry: Elbphilharmonie
April 2026

Most people know the Elbphilharmonie for its glass façade and dramatic roofline. From a distance, that’s what defines the skyline in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But for masonry contractors and suppliers, the real story starts at the base.