J. Gregg Borchelt Named Honorary Member of TMS

Words: Phillip Samblanet
To be recognized at TMS Annual Meeting in San Antonio Via a closed ballot this winter, The Masonry Society’s Board of Directors approved bestowing Honorary Membership status on J. Gregg Borchelt, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Brick industry Association, for his significant and continued contributions to both the Society and to the masonry industry as a whole. Honorary Membership is the highest award that TMS can bestow on a member and it recognizes lifetime contributions to the advancement of knowledge on masonry.

Borchelt joins a very small and impressive group of TMS’s 13 other Honorary Members:

James E. Amrhein (1997)
Stuart R. Beavers (2004)
David T. Biggs (2008)
Russell H. Brown (2006)
Walter L. Dickey (1995)
Clayford T. Grimm (1997)
George C. Hanson (1995)
Arnold H. Hendry (1999)
John H. Matthys (2004)
Clarence B. Monk, Jr. (1995)
James L. Noland (1995)
Donald A. Wakefield (1997)
H.W.H. West (1999)

Borchelt, P.E., FASTM, FCSI, FTMS and now HTMS, is one of the foremost experts on masonry, especially related to clay masonry, and his list of accomplishments is impressive and inspiring. He has been a valued contributor in masonry organizations, and his service at ASTM, CSI, TMS and other organizations is exemplary.

Within TMS, Mr. Borchelt is a Founding Member, and through TMS’s history has served in nearly every role including President (1981-1983), Member of the Board of Directors, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman of the Technical Activities Committee, Secretary of the Masonry Standards Joint Committee and member of numerous other TMS Committees. In these roles he has led TMS, volunteered when needed, and contributed his knowledge and expertise. For this unparalleled and continued service, he was presented TMS’s President’s Award in 1993, and was made a Fellow Member of the Society in 2005.

Outside of TMS, Borchelt’s accomplishment and service are even more significant. Borchelt has attended and contributed to nearly every major masonry conference can symposium in the last 30 years - serving on oversight committees, providing technical papers, serving as a reviewer, and offering his help and expertise where needed. He has been a member of ASTM since 1974, served as Committee Chairman of ASTM C15 from 1983 to 1989 and served on numerous ASTM Subcommittee and Task Groups. He has served BIA and the masonry industry in numerous other keys roles as well, including serving as a critical member and Board member of the Building Seismic Safety Council. In all of these forums, Borchelt has contributed greatly, offering his professionalism and knowledge while serving as a mentor and an example.

TMS will formally recognize Gregg Borchelt as their newest Honorary Member at the TMS Annual Meeting in San Antonio during the Awards Lunch Ceremony on Saturday, November 12, 2011. Please plan to be there to congratulate him.
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

Zach Everett
Technical Talks
Read More
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More