It’s one of those basic principles that’s so obvious it gets ignored. Kind of like “gravity works” or “concrete doesn’t care about your schedule.” Here it is, plain: you get more of what you incentivize or tolerate. That’s not a leadership slogan. That’s

Do you wish your field crews and managers were as good as you are? Or do they often struggle and fail to do things the way you want them done? How long does it take them to master a new task or idea? Would a regular training program make a difference? I r

When it comes to a family business, the line between personal loyalty and business responsibility can be razor-thin. The hardest decisions rarely happen in boardrooms. They usually unfold in the middle of real life, around a kitchen table, or over a drink

As we turn the page to May, the school year is rapidly approaching its final chapter. Last month, Conner Birdsong highlighted the incredible momentum building across the Southern Region as spring expos, state-level SkillsUSA competitions, and graduation p

This month, the MCAA got to talk with Mason Paolini, a mason who has a clear passion and talent for the trade he has such high praise for. Read about Mason’s story and why he sees a future in this industry. Mason Paolini’s career began with a simple desi

It is not unusual today for masonry to be treated as a surface decision rather than a structural one. Too often, brick enters a project late in the process, trimmed back by budgets or reduced to a veneer once the “real” building work is finished. The Tian

Many folks over the years have placed concrete pavers around their pool as a nice form of decorative pool deck. Early in the 2000’s, I took a class held by the Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute, then known as the ICPI. At the time I attended the class

Spring is one of my favorite times of year. There’s energy in the air. Jobs are picking up. Crews are hitting their rhythm. Schedules are filling up. You can feel momentum building again. And every year around this time, I find myself thinking about con

In masonry work, whether you are laying brick or block, installing stone veneer, or repairing mortar joints, cleaning up is a big part of the job. It’s easy to focus on the major tools like brick trowels, mixers, and mortar boards, but brushes are just as

How Today’s Systems Strengthen Traditional Masonry In masonry, longevity has always been the true measure of craftsmanship. Any wall can look impressive the day it’s finished, but the real test comes years later, after the first freeze-thaw cycle, after t

Whether we specialize in repairs and restoration work or new construction, repairs are something that we all must do, at least from time to time. With ever-increasing competition from faster and cheaper building systems, the onus is on us as masonry profe

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

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

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

Long before “rainscreen” became a popular term in building science, masonry cavity walls were functioning on that very principle. A brick veneer cavity wall is designed with the expectation that water will penetrate the exterior

After almost 30 years of dedicated service, Lynda Spina is retiring from her role as Chief Financial Officer of STABILA North America, closing an extraordinary chapter defined by steady leadership, financial discipline, and lasting impact.