October 2009: President's Message

Words: Dan Kamys President's Message Tom Daniel

A Successful Mid-Year Meeting

We just completed our 2009 Mid-Year Meeting held at the Hyatt Manchester on the waterfront in San Diego. Our meeting was also held in conjunction with the California Conference of Mason Contractors Association. Both of our groups had excellent attendance. For those of you who were not able to attend, we had a great time. We were able to network and discuss the current economic situation in everyone’s respective areas. Coming to the MCAA meetings lets you recharge your batteries while learning something new. There was no better place to do this than San Diego. This year, we were very fortunate to have four excellent educational presentations added to our regular program. If you are a member of the MCAA and did not get a chance to attend, you are able to view two of these four programs in the Member’s Only section of the MCAA Web site, free of charge. The programs that will be available are:
  • Family Succession (passing on the family business) and

  • Immigration/E-Verify Update.
We had a fantastic final evening in PETCO Park watching the San Diego Padres take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. Unfortunately for us from San Diego, Arizona got the best of us that evening. Check out a picture summary of the event at the MCAA Facebook page. I am sure that the other attendees of the program feel as re-charged as I do and are looking forward to February, when we will once again have the opportunity to attend the MCAA Convention in Las Vegas, held in conjunction with World of Masonry. The MCAA will be at the Venetian Hotel, and registration for the program is currently open online. Go to convention.masoncontractors.org to make your plans today. I look forward to seeing you there!
What’s in your Dumpster?
December 2025

If you want a true read on how a job is running, take a walk to the dumpsters. Most sites have two. One for cement and steel. One for everything that did not make the cut. Those bins are open ledgers. They record the habits, shortcuts, and fixes that shap

The Florida Department of Corrections Masonry Competition
December 2025

The intersection of Career & Technical Education (CTE) training and rehabilitation was on full display recently as the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) hosted a statewide masonry competition. Held at the Cross City Correctional Institution, the eve

Southwest Scaffolding Renews Silver Partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program
December 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is pleased to announce that Southwest Scaffolding will renew its Silver partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program.

From Raw Material To Art: Bringing Toothless To Life
December 2025

“The next project is already waiting in the wings, but that’s another story.” That was how I ended my article on the T-60 helmet from the world of Fallout in the July 2024 issue of Masonry Magazine. And that is exactly where this new chapter begins.