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
Hines Market Square
September 2026

Hines Market Square, now known as Aris Market Square, is a mixed-use, multifamily development located in downtown Houston. The architect on this project, Ziegler Cooper, is known for reshaping the urban landscape. In keeping with their vision, the buildin

Dawn Kornegay
Case Study
Brick Clay Brick Residential
Read More
Understanding Met-Guard Protection in Work Boots
September 2026

Masonry work demands precision and strength, but it also comes with unavoidable risks. From handling heavy materials like brick and block to operating cutting equipment and working in tight, active environments, tradesmen and tradeswomen regularly expose

Andrew Moffatt
MAP Partner
Safety - Footwear
Read More
Making Old Brickwork Look New Again
September 2026

Brickwork is built to last, but mortar isn’t. Over time, exposure to moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, and everyday wear causes joints to crack, crumble, and even recede. What starts as a cosmetic issue can quickly turn into a structural concern if left unadd

Mackenzie Claassen
MAP Partner
Sponsored
Read More
Why Joint Profiles Matter In Masonry Restoration
September 2026

For generations, masonry structures have been defined not only by the brick, block, or stone used in construction, but also by the mortar joints that tie everything together. Whether restoring a historic brick facade, repairing natural stone veneer, or re

Paul Bender
Technical Talks
Joint Reinforcement Jointers Restoration
Read More