November 2009: President's Message

Words: Dan Kamys

November 2009

President's MessageTom Daniel

The Greening of our Industry

Tom Daniel President Mason Contractors Association of America

“Green” is the catchphrase of the construction industry and society, in general, these days.??The MCAA recently had an excellent green opportunity for our members.??The MCAA’s lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., is affiliated with an international law firm (Williams/Mullen).??The firm has delivered several excellent presentations for MCAA members on a variety of business law issues. Recently, on a trip one of the members took to Europe, he had an interesting request from France’s largest law firm, which also happens to be that country’s largest green firm, and has been involved in a whole host of green construction efforts in Europe.??The firm requested that they be put in touch with United States mason contractors with whom they could partner to secure and work on green retrofitting of federal buildings (which was a major part of the original stimulus package with billions of dollars set aside for this exact effort). The French firm has done many of these projects in Europe, and Europe is much further along in the whole green process. This should enable MCAA member partners with technology and products not yet introduced in the United States to increase the likelihood that they can secure many of the green retrofit projects. In a tight economy, and during such a major shift in our industry to green construction, this has presented all MCAA members with a wonderful opportunity to advance well beyond what we are capable of in the United States.??It has presented opportunities that non-member firms will not be exposed to.??This is yet another of the many reasons I give to people who ask me what the MCAA can do for them, and why they would want to be a member. If you would like to find out more about this program, contact the MCAA office at 800-536-2225. Return to Table of Contents
About: President's Message
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

Damian Lang
Contractor Tip of the Month
Read More
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,

Steven Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
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

Conner Birdsong
Outreach Outlook
Read More
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.

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More