November 2009: For The Record

Words: Dan Kamys

November 2009

For The Record

JenniferGreen Getting its Due

Jennifer Morrell Editor jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com

As an editor, my personal sign that green building is here to stay is the fact that I no longer need to include quotations marks around the word green. People aren’t going to read stories about going green and think it involves a can of paint from Sherwin-Williams. Likewise, A&E folks, developers, contractors and consumers are aware of the importance of being green, not only because it’s seen as socially and professionally responsible, but also because it’s a platform to showcase an additional and important benefit of building with masonry: sustainability. As the Masonry staff heads to Phoenix this month to attend Greenbuild 2009, I reflect on the last four to five years and am amazed at how far the construction industry has come. Not only are we making the effort to understand LEED requirements and what it truly means to build green, but also we are embracing the idea that we are helping to secure a healthier environment and future for ourselves and our children – impressive. In this issue, we report on the latest efforts of the Natural Stone Council (NSC) to show how natural stone is a green material. In “Sustainability Through Natural Stone” (p.18), you’ll learn what the NSC is doing to move natural stone ahead as a sustainable material in a Q&A with John Mattke, NSC co-chair and chair of the council’s Sustainability Committee. Also included in this issue are two stories outlining the basics on levels and measuring (see “Lessons in Levels” on p. 26, and “The Lowdown on Measuring Devices” on p. 28). Another subject we examine in this issue is insulation – how it affects you as a mason contractor, and why it should be on your radar (see “The Skinny on Insulation” on p. 24). You also can read about the MCAA’s highly successful Midyear Meeting, which took place in San Diego in September (p. 14). We hope to see you at Greenbuild in Phoenix this month. But, if you are unable to attend the show, you can read coverage of it in Masonry. As an aside, I just looked up the word green at www.dictionary.com. One of the entries for the word under the “adjective” heading was “environmentally sound or beneficial.” How gratifying. Return to Table of Contents
Outreach Outlook: Springing into Action – The Season of Growth
March 2026

There is a distinct shift in the air when March arrives. You can feel it on the job sites, and you can certainly feel it in the classrooms. As the winter chill begins to lift and the days are a little longer, the construction industry naturally wakes up f

Robert Melgaard
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Chairman's Message: Laying the First Brick - A Fresh Start
March 2026

As we head into a new year, I’m excited and, honestly, grateful to step into the role of Chairman of the Mason Contractors Association of America. This industry has been good to my family, and I see this role as a chance to give back and help move things

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More
GEN NXT: 2026 Skills Challenge Winners
March 2026

After another successful year of the Skills Challenge, the MCAA had the opportunity to speak with the three 1st Place winners of each skill level. Get to know their journeys, motivations, and the mindsets they have in order to compete in a national compet

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More
2026 World of Concrete Recap
March 2026

The 2026 World of Concrete Convention marked another successful year for masonry. From the world-renowned Skills Challenge and Fastest Trowel on the Block competitions to the new innovative GEORGE AI class, we gained a lot of ground in pushing this indust

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More