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.
Contractor Tip of the Month: Get Used to the Pain
April 2026

Pain isn’t just negative; it’s a natural part of growing and improving. Instead of seeing pain as a reason to quit, recognize it as a sign you’re making progress. What sets successful people apart is their ability to stay calm and keep going when things g

Damian Lang
Contractor Tip of the Month
Read More
Fechino Files: Diesels Below 32 Degrees
April 2026

I am guessing that if you are reading this, then you experienced the cold, late-January spell that took over most of the country. The cold weather has many effects on the operations of a masonry contractor, from job shutdowns to equipment starting issues,

Steven Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Building Momentum Across the Southern Region
April 2026

As April arrives, the pace of our outreach and workforce efforts across the Southern Region reaches a new level of intensity. This is the time of year when our programs, partners, and state collaborators all accelerate at once. SkillsUSA competitions are

Conner Birdsong
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Elbphilharmonie
April 2026

Most people know the Elbphilharmonie for its glass façade and dramatic roofline. From a distance, that’s what defines the skyline in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But for masonry contractors and suppliers, the real story starts at the base.

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More