Mason Earns Recognized Certification

Words: Ann WolterDarrin Haymond, a project manager and estimator with USA Masonry in Golden, Colo., has completed the two-year masonry certification program at the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute, a consortium of more than 100 companies throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

While working with USA Masonry full-time, Haymond attended 12 classes in subjects such as blueprint reading, masonry design software, historic preservation, brick and block, grout and mortar, and masonry testing.

In 1997, the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute launched its certification program in response to the business community's desire for a meaningful way to pre-qualify masonry subcontractors. In addition to such factors as length of time in business and bonding ability, certification offers owners and design professionals objective verification of a subcontractor's expertise in masonry construction.

The certification process begins with an intensive series of professional education courses for masonry contractors and their key employees. Principals and supervisory employees with at least five years of experience in masonry construction are eligible to enroll in the program, which consists of 12, one- and two-day courses covering every aspect of masonry design, construction, safety and management.
Installation Starts Before the First Course
August 2026

Some of the most expensive masonry installation problems begin long before crews arrive onsite. By the time a project reaches the field, many coordination decisions have already been made. Dimensional conflicts, congested reinforcement, specialty materia

Technical Talks
Read More
Designing for Performance: Key Considerations for Efficient, Durable Masonry Projects
August 2026

A successful masonry project starts well before the first stone is set. The craftsmanship on site matters, of course, but many of the decisions that shape the final result are made much earlier—during design, detailing, and material selection. Those choic

Jeff Tew
MAP Partner
Manufactured Stone MAP Partner Stone (Exterior) Stone (Interior)
Read More
Change Orders: Standard Operating Procedure
August 2026

In masonry construction, change orders are not occasional events; they are guaranteed. Drawings do not always match field conditions, specifications can conflict, and real-world construction has a way of exposing gaps in design. At DRP Masonry, we operat

Donnie Williams
Resources
Read More
RFIs: Clarity, Communication and... Hierarchy?
August 2026

In construction, any project starts with drawings. Plans. Schedules. Specifications. Whether we're talking about new construction, additions, or restoration, there is a plan, there is design intent, and a way every piece of a project needs to fit together

Kate Vienna
Technical Talks
Read More