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This Issue Sponsored by
The Newsletter of The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association
June 2016
Vol. 42 No. 2
See Page Three
In this Issue:
A New Champion Luis Marquez (in black,) an apprentice with Huntley Brothers Company, accepts the
David R. Sigmon Award for his First Place Finish in the May 21st NCMCA Samuel A. McGee Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest from contest chairman (and his boss) Kent Huntley. On the right, Sam McGee’s
granddaughter, Katina Little, helps hold the new Sam McGee Contest banner . Photograph by Judy Johnson.
New Name for Old Contest
GOLD HILL - Luis Marquez, an apprentice with
Huntley Brothers Company in Monroe is the winner of the 2016 David R. Sigmon Award for his first
place finish in the Annual NCMCA Samuel A. McGee
Memorial Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest, newly
named in memory of Sam, who passed away in
September of 2015.
Thirty-four apprentices from six NCMCA member
firms competed for cash and tool prizes in May at
Carolina Stalite’s Ben Ketchie Park in Gold Hill. The
2016 contest was co-hosted by Johnson Concrete
Company and the NCMCA Metrolina Chapter.
Finishing second to tenth place respectively,
Grayson McGee, second place and Hayden McGee,
third place, McGee Brothers Company; Janson
Huntley, fourth place and Clay Watson, fifth place,
Huntley Brothers Company; Connor Hallman, sixth
place, McGee Brothers; Elias Mayen, seventh place,
Koontz Masonry; Swede Huntley, eighth place,
Huntley Brothers; and Kaleb McGee, ninth place and
Aaron Dutton tenth place, McGee Brothers. Greyson
McGee has finished “second” for two years in a row.
Marquez finished “fourth” in both the 2015 and
2014 contest.
Top-ten scores ranged from 950 to 880 965 to
900 points out of a possible 1,000. (In 2015, topten scores ranged from 956 to 900.) Contestants
See “McGee Contest “ Page 9
New Officers 2016-2018
Page 2
Sponsor’s Page
Page 3
Annual Meeting Report
Page 4
NC in Washington
Page 4
Dates to Note
Page 6
Upcoming Classes
Page 6
Masonry Contests Around NC
Page 7
Convention Panel Discussion
Page 8
Member News
Page 8
Thornton Wins at Greensboro
Page 10
Drye Award Presented
Page 10
Welcome New Member
Page 10
NCMCA.com
MasonrySystems.org
Page 2 NC Masonry News June 2016
Sign of a Professional
www.ncmca.com
Robert H. Gates, CME, President
Gates Construction Company, Mooresville, NC
Kent Huntley, CME, President-Elect
Huntley Brothers Company, Monroe, NC
Danks Burton, CME, Secretary Treasurer
Pinnacle Masonry, Cary, NC
Ashlee K. Moore, CMP, Chairman
Koontz Masonry, Lexington NC
Doug Burton, CME, Eastern Vice Pres.
Whitman Masonry, Benson, NC
Brandon Hartsell, CMP, Central V Pres.
Gates Construction Company, Mooresville NC
Don Caldwell, Western Vice Pres.
C & R Masonry, Candler, NC
New Officers At the April NCMCA Annual Business Meeting at the Omni Homestead Resort Convention,
delegates elected new Association officers for the 2016-2018 term. Pictured left to right, Kent Huntley,
CME, Huntley Brothers Company, Monroe, President-Elect; Bob Gates, CME, Gates Construction Company,
Mooresville, President; Ashlee K. Moore, CMP, Koontz Masonry, Lexington, NC, Chairman; and Danks Burton,
CME, Pinnacle Masonry, Cary, Secretary-Treasurer. Pictured below, left to right, Eastern Regional Vice
President Doug Burton, CME, Whitman Masonry, Raleigh; Central Region Vice President Brandon Hartsell,
CMP, Gates Construction Company, Mooresville; and Don Caldwell, C & R Masonry, Candler.
John Cramer AAI, Insurance Consultant
TriSure Corporation, Raleigh, NC
Pete Schantz RHU, Insurance Consultant
Mountcastle Insurance, Winston-Salem, NC
Lynn Nash, Executive Vice President
Hickory, NC
June 2016
The Quarterly Newsletter of
The North Carolina
Masonry Contractors
Association
109 11th Avenue NW
Post Office Box 3463
Hickory, NC 28603-3463
Telephone (828) 324-1564
Fax (828) 324-2179
[email protected]
Andy-the-Cat Productions
Photographs by Andy-the-Cat Productions unless otherwise noted
In Memory of Sam Midge McGee (center) and her family were on hand at the May 21st Gold Hill Contest
for the announcement that the contest is now named in memory of North Carolina MCAA “Masonry Hall
of Fame” member Sam McGee who passed away in the fall of 2015. Photo by Judy Johnson
June 2016 NC Masonry News Page 3
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Page 4 NC Masonry News June 2016
Annual Business Meeting Report
four quarters. Volume seems to be stacking up for
a healthy 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2016. We are
The Board of Directors met April 30 2016 in Hot
“The group market is much more stable, yet optimistic that payroll and revenue numbers for
Springs, Virginia. The meeting was combined with double digit rate increases have been the norm so masonry contractors will increase throughout the
the Annual Association Business Meeting. The fol- far in 2016. Average renewals are coming in at 16%. remainder 2016.
“Experience Modification Factors for all our conlowing is a summary of that meeting.
Much like the individual market, more competition
struction
clients, including masonry contractors, are
Treasurer Huntley reported 2015 Year-End: Assets is needed. However, consolidation has been more
increasing
substantially. Increases are becoming
of $555,350.50 including liabilities. As of 3/31/16: prevalent in recent months. Groups who are still ofsubstantial
for contractors with even an acceptable
Assets of $569,336.31 including liabilities of $ fered the option to remain grandfathered under ACA
amount
of
frequency.
We are still just estimating,
68,981.58. $503,751.85 presently invested with Mor- requirements are finding the premium difference to
but
the
average
increases
will be 10% to 15%. This
gan Stanley. Market value of Morgan Stanley invest- do so is negligible in a lot of cases. ACA mandates,
is
a
combination
of
the
new
calculation increasments as of close 3/31/16: $512,749.46. For 2015, newly insured and rising Rx brand and specialty Rx
ing
the
split
point
from
$5,000
to $15,000 starting
our insurance partners provided $27,985.35. 2015 are all contributing factors to premium increases.
four
years
ago and the
operating expense was
last
five
years
of very low
$170,990.12, compared to
payrolls
and
increased
$159,137.23 in 2014. We
claims
activity.
We will
finished 2015 with a loss
continue
to
stress
to all
of $29,075.48. With one
clients
that
Early
Return
quarter completed, the
To Work and Light Duty
forecast for 2016 is a loss
programs, avoiding loss
of approximately $29,000.
time/indemnity claims,
Pete Schantz submitwill be key in maintaining
ted a report on the Aslow mods.
sociation’s health and
“Currently, we have 28
benefits program: “Both
participating
members.
Group and Individual
The
estimated
premiums
Health insurance markets
have
increased
to over
continue to provide a
$1.7
million.
This
is the
tough environment for
third
time
we
have
seen
employers and employees
NC
in
DC
North
Carolina
was
well
represented
at
the
May
Washington
Masonry
Legislative
Conference
Flya
quarterly
increase
in
alike. BCBS of NC’s open
In,
jointly
sponsored
by
the
Mason
Contractors
Association
of
America
(MCAA)
and
the
National
Concrete
several
years.
OCIPS/
enrollment for Exchange
business (Obamacare) Masonry Association (NCMA.) Pictured left to right, Byrad Stevens, Calvin Brodie, NCMCA President-Elect CCIPS continue to impact
was less than stellar for Kent Huntley, Elli Stevens, Sixth District Congressman Mark Walker, Imani Brodie, NCMCA President Bob our premiums. These
several reasons: 1) the Gates, Charles Newsome, Gary Joyner and Chris Surratt. Industry representatives from across the country programs are pulling subaverage rate increase was met with congressmen, senators and staff members concerning issues that are of vital importance to the stantial premium away
32% in an attempt to gain construction and masonry business. Gary Joyner serves as MCAA Regional Vice President and reported, from our program espeback some $450 million “Our main goal was to bring in more co-sponsors for the Masonry Check-Off bill HR985. This bill is for cially with a much higher
in losses (the government research, education, and promotion of our industry. We gained two new co-sponsors, Rep David Price number of larger jobs
reimbursed $200 million and Rep Mark Walker. Co-Sponsors now total 246. The next step for the bill would be a full vote on the being all Wrap-up proas a provision of the ACA). floor of the House of Representatives. The importance of this check off bill would mean upwards of 10 grams and not as many
2) Many enrollees were million dollars annually for the promotion of our industry annually.” Photograph by Tim O’Toole, MCAA. mainstream jobs working
right now. Without those
forced to switch to scaled down networks of physi“We continually look out for new options and
pulling
from
our
group,
we feel we would show
cians forcing them to re-evaluate their options; i.e.- creative ways to customize benefits for our clients.
upwards
of
25
to
30%.
your doctor no longer participates with the plan you Self-funding, Health Reimbursement Arrangements,
“The market is definitely more stable and the
are enrolled. 3) BCBSNC attempted to roll out a new alternative Rx plans to name a few.
best
in class accounts might even experience slight
computer software system to make the enrollment
“Compliance will continue to be in the forefront,
decreases.
We expect this trend to continue through
experience more user friendly and efficient- unsuc- especially for 50 FTE groups. Employers essentially
the
end
of
the
year in 2016.
cessfully. This led to widespread issues with eligibility, got a pass this year in terms of accuracy of their 1094
“In
2016,
we
will continue to focus our masonry
double billing, no billing, wrongful terminations, filings as the government conceded the process was
contractors
on
proper documentation of subconetc. Some issues have still not been completely confusing at best –yet still expensive. We are hopeful
tractors
including
written contracts with specific
resolved. After much deserved scrutiny from the this will be much more simplified in 2017 and will
risk
transfer
wording,
verification that insurance
NC Dept. of Insurance, BCBSNC’s COO tendered his keep you posted on developments.
is
in
place
correctly,
and
that there is no one using
resignation earlier this month. 4) Little competition.
“We currently manage group benefits for 9
uninsured
subs.
UnitedHealthcare and Coventry were the only other NCMCA contractors/associates as well as individual
“In the Safety report, we have information about
offerings in the exchange markets and not available and ancillary benefits for several others.”
the
new Silica Standard adopted by OSHA effective
in nearly as many NC counties as BCBS.
TriSure’s John Cramer and Heidi O’Connor
6/23/16
and implemented for construction on
“It is unknown what impact this will have on the reported on the Association liability and workers’
6/23/17.
We will begin developing training mateexchange options for next open enrollment, but we compensation program. John Cramer’s report:
rial,
guidelines
and detailed instructions to our
are closely monitoring.
“Masonry volume is steadily increasing in the last
June 2016 NC Masonry News Page 5
masonry clients as quickly as possible. This will be
a significant expense of time and resources to our
clients to remain in compliance.”
O’Connor added that total premium for the
program is presently 1.6 million with 27 participating members. Since April 1998 the program has
contributed $549,649 including a check presented
at the meeting in the amount of $9,076.35 for the
fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.
Bob Gates provided details of the planned May 21
Annual NCMCA Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest at
Ben Ketchie Park in Gold Hill co-hosted by Johnson
Concrete Company and the Metrolina Chapter. He
reported on the April 20th NC SkillsUSA Masonry
competition at the Greensboro Coliseum. Gates
expressed particular appreciation to Huntley Brothers Company, McGee Brothers Company, and noted
that Brodie Contractors stepped in with some special
assistance at the last minute on the morning of the
contest. Kelby Thorton of Central Cabarrus High
School, instructed by Todd Hartsell, won the high
school contest and will move on to the national competition in June. Some 80 contestants participated.
Certification Board of Governors Chairman Doug
Burton reported that the seventh series of classes
is now underway. We’ve had 550 individuals go
through some or all of the classes. 177 certified. 27
companies are certified. Some forty participants in
the current series. The board approved Calvin Brodie
to a three-year term on the Certification Program
Board of Governors.
Safety Committee Chairman John Cramer reported, “Scaffolding is a hot item for OSHA. I can assure everyone in the NCMCA that if you are erecting,
dismantling, or working on scaffolding in the state
of North Carolina, Compliance Officers will be visiting your job. Make absolutely sure your Competent
Person training is up to date and documented. Make
sure you have written documentation of inspections
of your scaffolding every day and after moving or set
up. Have your scaffold all clearly tagged for use or
service and signed off daily. Most of all, make sure
all ladders, bracing, mud sills, footings, base plates,
railings, access points and fall zones are perfect on
every job, every day.
“OSHA continues to receive pressure to increase
the number of inspections and Serious violations
they are charging against employers. There is less
negotiating for removal and reduction of fines. We
encourage all our masons to call us immediately if
they have an inspection with violations to discuss
their rights and alternatives.
“ALL Contractors are now required to notify OSHA
within eight hours if there is a work related fatality
on the job and within 24 hours when an employee
suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation
or loss of an eye. Prior to this, the rule stated that an
employer was required to notify work related fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations of three or more
employees. Employers should call 1-800-321-OSHA
(6742) to report these occurrences.
“The new Silica Standard has been approved
effective June 23, 2016. The Construction Industry
has until June 23, 2017 to be in compliance with the
new Standard 1926.1153. New Control methods are
laid out in Table 1. This will have significant impact
on training and controls for masonry contractors. I
handed out copies of the new program at the NCMCA
Annual Meeting, and we will be working to provide
extensive information and developing new written
programs and training material in order for the
masons to remain in compliance.
“This year we have the Third Annual Safety Award
Presentation at the summer convention. Congratulations to our 2015 winners of Gates Construction
(3rd year), and LPS Enterprises (3rd Year).
New officers for 2016-2018 term were elected:
Ashlee Moore, Koontz Masonry, Chairman; Bob
Gates, Gates Construction Company, President; Kent
Huntley, Huntley Brothers Company, PresidentElect; Danks Burton, Pinnacle Masonry, SecretaryTreasurer; Doug Burton, Whitman Masonry, Eastern
Regional Vice President; Brandon Hartsell, Gates
Construction Company, Central Regional Vice
President; Don Caldwell, C & R Masonry of Western
North Carolina, Western Regional Vice President;
and Lynn Nash, NCMCA, Executive Vice President.
Conventions report: The 2017 Convention is
March 16 to 19 at The Mills House in downtown
Charleston. The 2018 event will probably head
back to the mountains either at Hot Springs or an
Asheville venue. 2016 convention statistics: 145 participants at The Homestead including 16 masonry
contractors and 21 associate firms. Two chapter
presidents in attendance.
Central office report: membership stands at 131
member companies.
Western Regional Vice President Don Caldwell
reported on the Annual Land of the Sky High School
Contest April 8th at Blue Ridge Community College
in Hendersonville. 18 contestants. He noted how
many parents were at the Greensboro SkillsUSA
Contest. “Real encouraging.”
Metrolina Chapter Report – President Brandon
Hartsell: The Metrolina Chapter is working on another successful year. What did we do in 2015-2016
to help reshape Our Masonry Chapter?
1. Revamped our Meetings with a new location
and more interactive presentations
2. Changed payment methods to electronic.
3. Brought new life to the Metrolina Golf Tournament.
4. Made our national connections to MCAA and
Masonry Magazine stronger.
a. The Metrolina Chapter was featured in the
February Edition of Masonry Magazine.
b. We now serve on the following National MCAA
Committees: Bylaws, Certification, Education, Legislative, & South of Forty. This insures our State &
Region a fair stance on National Issues
5. We, as a group, are working very hard to make
all Masonry Contractors feel welcome within our
organization.
Metrolina Chapter Meeting Update – We will come
together for Steak on the Lake (Hosted by Statesville
Brick) in June. The Metrolina Chapter will start our
monthly meetings again in July.
The 2016 Metrolina Golf Tournament is November
2nd. We have a new way to sign up on the web. The
website is http://www.planmygolfevent.com/291072016MetrolinaChapterGolfTourney/.
Congratulations to Mr. Bob Gates: He will make
a great President of the NCMCA.
Follow us on Facebook at the following link
Metrolina Chapter on Facebook”
President Hartsell presented an annual chapter
pledge of $5,000. “The biggest in chapter history.”
Western Carolina Chapter Report – President
Wayne Starr: “The Western Chapter is alive and well
this year. We had a great program by (Central Cabarrus High School masonry instructor) Todd Hartsell
and we had the instructor and three students from
South Caldwell High School visit us in April. Our
attendance is up and we have just over $7,000.00 in
our treasury. We look forward to joining with the
Metrolina chapter in June for the annual Steak on
the Lake hosted by Statesville Brick. This event has
been happening every year for over 30 years and is
one of our favorite events. Everyone is welcome to
visit with us when we meet on the second Tuesday
of every month at 6:30 PM at Dos Amigo Restaurant
in Conover.” Larry Kirby presented President Ashlee
with the chapter’s 2016 pledge check in the amount
of $3,001.00.
Raleigh Chapter – Report by Chapter Secretary
Donnie Howard: “In January the Raleigh Chapter
started on our new meeting schedule of eight meetings per year. This schedule consists of six regular
chapter meetings with programs at the Peddler
Steakhouse in Raleigh, with two additional meetings
that will be in outside locations. We typically host
between 30-40 attendees at each meeting. Additionally, our new Program Committee has taken over
the responsibility of scheduling programs for the
chapter meetings. Notable programs this year have
included “Product Documentation and the Role it
Plays” presented by Luke Farley and Todd Hartsell’s
discussion on the World Masonry Skills Competition.
Our annual Myrtle Beach Golf Tournament was held
in January, and is the chapter’s primary fundraising
event. The tournament raised $7,200 for the chapter
this year, which brings the 17-year total for the
Myrtle Beach trip to over $70,000! As of the March
2016 meeting, our treasury balance is $30,550.87”
Chapter Vice President Calvin Brodie presented the
chapter’s annual $3,000 pledge.
Central Piedmont Chapter - Chapter Secretary
Brent Moore reported: “The CPMCA has changed
up our meetings in 2016. We will have 4 meetings
and 4 socials. Now meeting at Bleu Restaurant and
Page 6 NC Masonry News June 2016
Bar. Please plan to attend our annual Danny Koonts
Memorial on June 2 at 11:30 at Lexington Country
Club. BBQ chicken dinner will be provided. Our June
social will be our golf tournament! Current Account
Balances: Checking: $7,785.23 Savings: $1,141.15
Our officers are a huge part of our chapter and
they do a lot of work behind the scenes, thank you
to Chapter President Sabrina Beck, Vice-President
David Troutman and Treasurer Nick Ferrucci Our
sponsors are a huge part of what we do at each meeting!! Thank you to all of our sponsors for all the
time and money they put in! We are looking forward
to the rest of this year and to continue to promote
the best Masonry Industry in the World.” Chapter
President Sabrina Beck presented the chapter’s annual $3,000 pledge check.
Easter Carolina Chapter – Chairman Gary Joyner
presented two Eastern Carolina Chapter pledge
checks for $3,000 each for 2015 and for 2016.
Doug Burton suggested the Association consider
refreshing the Association’s brand. Possibly a new
logo. “The old one is tired,” he said. Based on some
basic inquiry, he would expect the cost to be five to
six thousand dollars for creative services plus some
additional expense for new banners, business cards,
stationary etc. President Ashlee appointed a committee to investigate and have additional information
at the September board meeting.
Doug told the group of a goal he’s set for himself
to look at his list of suppliers and identify the ones
who are not members of NCMCA, then invite them
to join. He says he has three from his list that he
expects to join. Doug encouraged other masonry
contractors to do the same.
Doug suggested doubling the association’ membership dues fees. Top masonry contractor state
dues are presently $800 (double that amount for
the voluntary “Leadership” and “Distinguished” category.) Local chapters also charge a fee. A proposal
for a significant dues increase will be presented at
the September board meeting.
Southeast Concrete Masonry Association President Byard Stevens gave an update on SCMA
activities. Still doing the “Understanding Masonry” programs in three states, with help in North
Carolina from NCMCA members. Much discussion
of multistory wood construction and the fact that
wood burns. The battle will be expensive. An issue
to be discussed at the SCMA Summer Meeting June
26-28, 2017 at the Marriott Grande dunes in Myrtle
Beach. SCMA will be on the speakers’ agenda for the
Structural Engineers Association of North Carolina
annual meeting in October at Wilmington. SCMA
will be a sponsor. SCMA Chairman Gary Hensley
added that they appreciate the partnership our two
associations enjoy. He reiterated how much money
the wood industry is willing to spend to “target your
market.” Their objective is to replace structural
masonry with wood. He encouraged the update
of the NCMCA logo. Byard talked about the wood
check-off program and the challenges of creating a
CMU check-off and how much money the check-off
could possibly produce. As much as ten million
dollars a year to counter the message of the wood
industry and others.
Attorney Caroline Trautman provided a legal
update. She reviewed changes to the NC sales tax
requirements. Some confusion exists on how it applies, specifically to masonry contractors. Mostly
applies to retail sales out of your warehouse to the
public. Consult with your CPA or tax attorney if
there is any question whether it applies. Changes to
immigration rules: The governor signed legislation
extending e-verify requirements to contractors and
subcontractors on state public projects even if you
have fewer than 25 employees. An update on employee misclassification. Executive order #83 from
the governor last year and NC HB 482 about to be
considered again during the short session will result
in crackdown on deliberate misclassification to avoid
taxes and other employee expense. The executive
order improves cooperation between agencies in
identifying abuse. New law could create $1,000 per
employee penalty.
Masonry Magazine’s new editor Karen Hickey
introduced herself and expressed her interest in thoroughly learning the masonry industry. She invited
NCMCA members to be in contact to let her know
what members want in the magazine. Karen’s goal
is to really be the “Voice of the Masonry Industry”
like it says on the magazine cover.
MCAA Chairman Mike Sutter continued the discussion of the wood industry’s threat to masonry
industry’s markets, relating an incident in Arizona
where he lives where a huge wood structure apartment complex burned in a matter of minutes. His
forklift was on the project, but didn’t burn because
it was behind the masonry trash enclosure. Many
other project subcontractors lost their reach-forklifts
and other equipment. “The little bit of masonry
that was there saved my forklift.” MCAA’s present
emphasis is workforce development, the new silica
standards, misclassification of workers, the and
the MCAA Foundation. Perkins Grants will be an
important topic at the upcoming legislative conference. More emphasis on career preparation, not just
college preparation. While there was some success
in favorably influencing the content of the new
silica regulations, MCAA is part of a construction
collaborative that will be suing OSHA over the new
regulations. Sutter complemented Doug Burton on
his work about misclassification of workers. Some
progress on the issue around the country. Complements to Gary Joyner for his work on the behalf of
the MCAA Masonry Foundation, now at three million
dollars. The 2016 MCAA Mid-Year Meeting is the
first week of October in Scottsdale. Chairman Mike
extended an invitation to come experience Arizona
hospitality at the Mid-Year.
President-elect Bob set Wednesday September 7,
2016 as the date for the next meeting. The location
is the Marriott Courtyard on West Wendover Avenue
in Greensboro beginning at 1:00 PM.
Dates to Note
6/16/16 Mod Five “Mastering Details of
Masonry Construction” Cert Class, McGee Bro Greensboro
6/26-6/29/16 SCMA Summer Meeting, Grande
Dunes – Myrtle Beach
7/11-7/14/16 NC DPI T & I Summer Conference
– Greensboro
7/13/16 Masonry instructors tour Adams/
Oldcastle at Colfax, lunch at McGee Brothers –
Greensboro
8/25/16 Module Six Certification Class “Blueprints/Estimating,” McGee Brothers - Greensboro
9/7/16 Board of Directors Meeting, Courtyard,
W. Wendover - Greensboro
9/22/16 Annual NCMCA State Golf Tournament
– details pending
10/6-10/11/16 The Masonry Society Annual
Meeting – Raleigh
10/26-10/27/16 FEDCON 2016, Wilmington
Convention Center - Wilmington
11/2/16 Metrolina Chapter Golf Tournament,
The Warrior Golf Club – China Grove
1/13-1/15/17 Raleigh Annual Murdell Golf
Tournament & Bus Tour – Grand Strand
3/16-3/19/2017 Annual Convention, The Mills
House Wyndham Grand Hotel – Charleston
4/26-4/28/17 NC SkillsUSA State Conference
(masonry contest) Greensboro Coliseum –
Greensboro
5/20/16 Sam McGee Memorial Apprentice
Masonry Skills Contest, Custom Brick & Supply Raleigh
4/18-4/20/18 NC SkillsUSA State Conference
(masonry contest) Greensboro Coliseum - Greensboro
Additional details and registration forms are always available on
the “Calendar” page of NCMCA.com.
Upcoming Certification
Classes
NCSU Professor Patrick Rand and George Arnold
will instruct Module Four “Mastering the Details
of Masonry Construction on June 16, 2016. Joe
Canitano will instruct Module Six “Blueprint Reading and Jobsite Estimating” class on August 25th.
Both sessions are held at McGee Brothers Company
on Triad Drive in Greensboro. Module Five is required for all certification candidates. Module Six
is required for all “Certified Masonry Professional”
(CMP) candidates, however, experienced project
managers and estimators may qualify to substitute
an elective class for Module Six.
Watch ncmca.com for registration forms and the
schedule for the rest of the class series as it develops.
June 2016 NC Masonry News Page 7
Masonry Competitions All Around North Carolina
Concord Kelby Thornton of Central Cabarrus
High School is the winner of the April Home
Builders Association of Greater Charlotte regional
high school masonry contest held at Lowes Home
Improvement’s Concord Mills store. Left to right,
fifth-place finisher Jesse Baker of West Rowan High
School; fourth-place finisher Joe O’ Kelley of South
Rowan High School; third-place finisher Rick
Brown of West Rowan High School; second-place
finisher Noah-Shaver of Mount Pleasant High
School; and winner Kelby Thornton. Twenty-eight
students representing seven schools participated.
Photograph by Kent Huntley.
Lenoir Gary Greer, (right) Hibriten; Hibriten High School pictured with his instructor Tracy Bradshaw won First Place as the three high schools in Caldwell County held their Fifth Annual Masonry
Competition in May at Lenoir Tractor Company. Students from Hibriten High, South Caldwell High and
West Caldwell High competed for tools and cash prizes donated by local merchants, and contractors,
including the Western Carolina Chapter of NCMCA. More than $6,000 was raised for contest prizes and
expense. Elijah Friszell claimed Second Place for South Caldwell; and Chris Stamey, won Third Place,
for South Caldwell. South Caldwell High School claimed the prize for highest cumulative team score.
Instructor Bradshaw retires from teaching at the end of the school year but says he will remain active
in the contest. Members of the NCMCA Western Carolina Chapter were among the judges for the contest.
Western Carolina Senior Brandyn Spalding (above) of Brevard High
School is the winner of the April Annual Land of the Sky Chapter High
School Masonry Contest held at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat
Rock. Second place finisher was Ryan Snoddy of McDowell High School;
followed respectively by third place finisher Holt Capps of East Henderson
High School; and fourth-place finisher Micah Sisk of McDowell High
School. Spalding is instructed by Colby Guice and is the son of Leslie and
Timothy Spalding. He has enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Jacob Blackwell of McDowell High School was the winner of the first-year competition.
Chapter member firms and local businesses provided materials, cash
and tool prizes, and a hamburger and hotdog lunch for the contestants,
volunteers and spectators.
Goldsboro (above) For the thirty-fifth year, Adams, an Oldcastle company, has held
it’s Annual Masonry Skills Contest for masonry students attending high schools in
eastern North Carolina. Senior Samuel LaRue (middle) of Swansboro High School
achieved Top-Score for the May 2016 contest, setting the record with three wins in
three years. Nattaly Razo, (second from left) Columbus Career and College Academy,
won the Women’s Division and had the second best score for the day. She also won
the contest’s Women’s Division in 2015. Pictured left to right, Columbus Career and
College Academy instructor Fred Mason; Nattaly Razo; Samuel LaRue; Swansboro
High School instructor Daniel Bright, himself a previous winner of the contest; and
contest head judge, Chris Joyner of Joyner Masonry Works. Second Place Finisher,
Men’s Division, was Thomas Copeland, Swansboro High School; followed by Third
Place Finisher Christopher Pierce, Pender High School; Fourth Place Finisher William
Floyd, Pender High School; and Fifth Place Finisher Justin Cortese, Swansboro High
School. Barry Parton of Pender High School won the First Year Division contest.
Swansboro High School won first place for combined team score. The competition
is named The H. A. “Butch” Hardy Memorial Masonry Contest in memory of the
contest founder. The event was held in Goldsboro.
Page 8 NC Masonry News June 2016
Convention Panel Discussion
Reported by Karen D. Hickey
The first general session of the recent NCMCA
convention featured a panel discussion entitled
“The State of Masonry: A National Perspective.”
Representatives from four organizations made up
the panel: Jeff Buczkiewicz, president and CEO of the
Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA);
Raymond Leonhard, president and CEO of the Brick
Industry Association (BIA); Robert Thomas, president of the National Concrete Masonry Association
(NCMA); and James Toscas, president and CEO of the
Portland Cement Association (PCA). The discussion
was moderated by NCMCA chairman Gary Joyner.
The panelist began by explaining the nature of
his organization before Joyner asked, “What needs
to be fixed with your association or our industry?”
Mr. Leonhard (BIA) was the first to respond.
“We are not even halfway back to shipment levels
where we were before the recession,” he said. “But
because of budget amendments, things are getting
better.” Leonhard also discussed how the costs of
complying with OSHA’s new silica rule are hurting
the smaller shops.
NCMA’s Mr. Thomas noted that associations look a
lot different than they did 10 years ago. Membership
is still a key element of survival, and many producers
still are not members and contributing to solutions.
“You need strong companies, regional and national
associations to grow the industry,” noted Thomas.
Market share is also still a problem, he said. “You
can’t mistake increased revenue for increased share
of the market,” Thomas said. He noted that the
need for innovation is another big factor. “We look
too much like we did 50–60 years ago in terms of
products,” he said.
Jim Toscas of PCA first chose to focus on what is
right with his association. “The fact that we have an
association as a platform is a good thing,” he said.
But as far as what is wrong, he commented that the
institutional structure of our national economy
needs to be fixed, especially since the failures of so
many of our institutions led to the Great Recession.
Mr. Toscas also discussed the topics of market
share, regulations that impede survival, and the
huge strides the wood industry has been making in
changing building codes. “With the association,”
he stated, “we have a voice to talk to legislators, to
fight for resilience and sustainability in building.”
MCAA’s Mr. Buczkiewicz said that good things
have been happening with MCAA since the recession.
“Survivors are stronger now, more efficient,” he said.
“There have been some changes and innovation.
We’re close to seeing BIM come to fruition. Silica is
an issue, but if there is a BIM model, you should not
have to be cutting on the jobsite.”
The next topic of discussion was the Masonry
Foundation, spearheaded by the MCAA. The Foundation currently has just over $3 million in pledges,
and Mr. Buczkiewicz said he is confident the fund
will surpass $5 million. NCMCA has already raised
about $500,000 of those pledges.
NCMCA president-elect Kent Huntley asked about
MCAA’s efforts to develop the masonry workforce.
Mr. Buczkiewicz’s reply covered efforts across the
country, including programs in the state of Tennessee and the city of Chicago. He also mentioned that
advocates are working with lawmakers to change
how Perkins funding is used in schools, so that more
of it will be used for vocational training. “We want
to make sure students are career ready,” he said.
A long discussion took place regarding the wood
industry and its recent successes, and how the
concrete and masonry industries are fighting back.
The wood industry is banking on the fact that it’s a
“green” material, but full life-cycle assessments of
buildings often show that concrete masonry wall
systems are not any less green. One has to look at the
big picture over the long term. For example, a recent
ROI study at the University of Louisville proved that
more efficient HVAC systems are actually better than
more insulation. In addition to being more durable,
concrete is also fire-resistant and recyclable.
The ready mixed concrete industry has released
a program called “Build With Strength,” and the
PCA is supporting them. In fact, the PCA is working to support all downstream segments, since all
are united in the front against the wood industry.
Low- to mid-rise structures are just the first area
where PCA can promote concrete instead of wood, no
matter what type of concrete product it is. “Without
concrete, you can’t have civilization,” said Mr. Toscas.
“We are part of durable construction, and without
durable construction the whole thing collapses. This
is important process, not just a business.”
Damian Lang, president of Lang Masonry Con-
Panel Members (L to R) Jeff Buczkiewicz, Ray Leonhard, Bob Thomas, Jim Toscas, and Gary Joyner.
tractors and EZ Grout Corp., asked what the masonry
industry has to do to get its market share back. Mr.
Toscas replied, “We have to bend minds, and communicate better the positive attributes of masonry
construction.”
Mr. Thomas also responded: “We need more innovation, not just in products, but also in installation
methods. We need to drive manufacturers to make
more cost-effective products, and we need to find
new ways of building things.”
The final question of the panel discussion was
whether the concrete and masonry industries are
more or less fractured than they were several years
ago. Mr. Buczkiewicz replied, “There has been a lot
more unity. Recessions force you to work together,
and we have had to be more efficient as an industry.
...there is a level where associations share interest,
though there is competition in other areas. There is
still some fragmentation, but leaders are more open
to working together now.”
Mr. Toscas added, “The only way we have a chance
is to associate on all levels — local, regional and
national — and stand up to the institutions that are
so big they have failed us.”
Karen D. Hickey is editor of Masonry Magazine.
Reach her at [email protected]
The Panel Discussion was sponsored by Adams,
an Oldcastle company
Member News
Mark and Brittany McGee, McGee Brothers Company, Charlotte, have a new baby girl. Emmeline
Selah was born February 18th.
The Southeast Concrete Masonry Association
and Oldcastle hosted engineering and architectural
students from the University of North Carolina at
Charlotte in March at the Charlotte Adams/Oldcastle
block plant. Students toured the plant and were given
an opportunity to use a trowel, guided by instructors
Mike Prince from McGee Brothers Company and the
retired Doby Chapman.
Nate Ariel, Ariel Masonry, and his family are back
home in Burlington after their four-year church
mission trip to Bocahica, Columbia. Nate provided
the program for the Triad Chapter’s March meeting, describing the mission’s objectives; education,
hygiene, and developing clean water sources.
Mount Pleasant High School Masonry Instructor Ryan Shaver son Noah was awarded the Levine
Scholarship at UNC Charlotte. This is UNCC’s most
prestigious scholarship with over 1100 students applying and only 20 recipients. This scholarship is a
full ride with many perks, including study abroad,
the National Outdoor Leadership School, $8000.00
community service grant, and a professional
internship. Noah plans to pursue a career in Environmental Engineering. Noah Shaver is seventeen
and attends Mount Pleasant Highs School. He has
been a regular participant in masonry competitions
around the state.
June 2016 NC Masonry News Page 9
Past NCMCA President Calvin Brodie’s mother
passed away March 4th. Martha B. Brodie was 85
and lived in Louisburg. The family suggests memorial contributions to her church: Mt. Moriah Baptist
Church, PO Box 549, Bunn, NC 27549.
As reported in the Asheville Citizen-Times, Paige
Love, Ray Love’s (Adams/Oldcastle) daughter, a
senior at UNC Asheville, played a pivotal role in
the Bulldogs’ double-overtime win over Liberty
University Sunday to win the Big South Conference
Women’s Basketball Championship. The Bulldogs
came back from an 11-point deficit in the first half
to win 64-62 over the favored Flames. Paige played
on the Bulldogs’ team that went 2 for 28 just three
years ago. As a sophomore in 2014, she made ESPN’s
“Top-Ten-Plays-of-the-Day” with a game-winning
half-court buzzer-beater against Furman.
Several NCMCA member firms participated to
complete the foundation and veneer for the Charlotte
area St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dream
Home fundraising project in Monroe this spring. The
foundation was completed in about two hours and
the two-story house was veneered in just over half a
day. Doc McGee of McGee Brothers Company said he
overheard one volunteer mason say he’d never before
had to stand in line for his turn to lay a brick. 11,000
raffle tickets will be sold at $100 each. Information
here: https://dreamhome.stjude.org/about
James G. Cramer, brother of Heidi O’Connor and
John Cramer (TriSure) passed away unexpectedly on
March 12th. Mr. Cramer was 53 and lived in Rock
Hill, SC. The family suggests memorials be made
to First Baptist Church, 482 Hood Center Dr., Rock
Hill, SC 29730.
Heidi O’Connor is the proud grandmother of Stella
James O’Connor, born March 19th to her son Dan
and his wife Stephanie.
Hibriten High School masonry instructor Tracy
Bradshaw is retiring from teaching the end of this
school year. Tracy is actively seeking his replacement and asks that NCMCA assist in the search. For
information, call Tracy at the school (828) 758-7378
or visit the Caldwell County Schools web-site: www.
caldwellschools.com
Pete Schantz, Mountcastle Insurance, continues
chemotherapy and surgery as he battles the cancer
that was discover several months ago.
On April 3rd, Johnson Concrete’s Starling Johnson
married Aaron Kaklamanos in Concord. The couple
will live in Charlotte with Benji.
Past President Alan Griffin’s father-in-law, Lu’s
father, passed away April 15th. Dr. Robert B. Litton
was 86 and lived in Shelby.
Semi-retired masonry contractor and former
Western Carolina Chapter member Randy Huss
passed away unexpectedly April 9th after a brief
illness. Randy was 61 and lived in Vale. Recently,
he had been helping out his friends at Masonry
Unlimited of Cherryville.
Robert “Bob” Upton passed away April 18th. Bob,
his wife Eleanor and their firm Upton Associates
managed NCMCA up until late 1997 and even then
continued to assist NCMCA in negotiations with
potential convention
locations. Bob was 88
and lived in Raleigh.
The family suggests
memorial contributions be made to Christ
Episcopal Church, PO
Box 25759, Raleigh,
NC 27611-5778 or
National Parkinson’s
Foundation, 200 SE 1st
Bob Upton
Street, Suite 800, Miami,
FL. The NCMCA Eleanor Upton Award is a tribute to
the contributions the Uptons have made to NCMCA’s
success over the years.
A tragic accident the end of April claimed the life of
Mike and Dianne McGee’s granddaughter. Ana Rose
Huntley was three-years-old and lived in Monroe, the
daughter of Christy and Russell Huntley.
The winners of the 2016 EZ Grout NCMCA Convention Golf Tournament were Damian Lang, Doug
Burton, Terry Ward, and Jake Burton.
Gates Construction Company and LPS Enterprises
were recognized with Safety Awards for 2015 at the
April Convention. Both companies have received
the awards for three years in a row. Ever since the
recognition was started. TriSure Corporation and
The NCMCA Insurance Program sponsor the awards
and encourage everyone to consider participating in
the awards program for 2016, to be presented at the
2017 convention.
“McGee Contest “ continued from Page 1
were given two hours to complete a predetermined
project later scored for “plumb,” “level,” “square
& range,” “measurement,” “correct design,” “manipulation,” “tooling and neatness,” “full joints,”
and “production.”
As the contest winner, Marquez was presented the
“David R. Sigmon Award” for top score, $600 in cash
and a wheelbarrow full of tools. His win in Gold Hill
earns him the opportunity to represent NCMCA at the
2017 MCAA International Skills Competition at the
World of Masonry/World of Concrete in Las Vegas.
The 2016 event marks the naming of the contest
in memory of Sam McGee in recognition of Sam’s
special dedication and appreciation for all aspects
of apprenticeship, training and preparing young
people with life skills. It was a very rare masonry
skills contest where Sam wasn’t present and enthusiastically participating. His wife Midge and many
members of the McGee family were on hand for the
announcement of the contest’s new name. Sam
McGee is in the Mason Contractors Association of
America “Masonry Hall of Fame.”
NCMCA President Bob Gates, Contest Chairman
and NCMCA President-Elect Kent Huntley, and Con-
test Head-Judge Greg Huntley had high praise for
Johnson Concrete Company, Carolina Stalite, and
the Metrolina Chapter as hosts of the contest, as
well as for NCMCA member companies and friends
who contributed so generously with equipment,
volunteers, materials, refreshments, tool prizes and
financial pledges. NCMCA member firms and friends
contributed equipment, materials, food, entertainment, and tool prizes in addition to over $11,000
for contest expense.
The host companies, Johnson Concrete and
Carolina Stalite, provided lots of food and entertainment for both kids and adult spectators, including
tours of their lightweight aggregate manufacturing
plant, the world’s largest, a fishing tournament for
the children, and music by The Donnie Howard /
Scott Tucker Duo.
Contributors include:
Hosts – Johnson Concrete Company, Carolina
Stalite, NCMCA Metrolina Chapter
Materials - Johnson Concrete Company, Pine Hall
Brick, The Quikrete Companies
Food - Johnson Concrete Company
Financial Sponsors:
$2000 - Gates Construction Company
$500 - Adams, an Oldcastle company, Huntley
Brothers Company, Jim Bricksit, McGee Brothers
$300 – Essroc, Kirby Construction Services
$250 - Central Piedmont Chapter, Custom Brick
& Supply Company, Fay Block Materials, Holcim
(US), Joyner Masonry Works, Manning Masonry,
Master Masonry
Metrolina Chapter, New South Construction Supply, Raleigh Chapter, Sandhills Chapter, Simmons
Masonry, Triad Chapter, Western Carolina Chapter
$200 - Beam Construction Company, Bell Nursery, Land of the Sky Chapter, Masonry Unlimited
of Cherryville
$150 - Brodie Contractors, Inc., C & R Masonry of
Western NC, Carolina Masonry Unlimited, Motsinger
Precast, Pyramid Masonry Contractors
$100 - Lanier & Associates, LPS Enterprises, Inc.,
Lutz Stone Masonry, P & D Precast, Pine Hall Brick,
Pinnacle Masonry, Poyner Spruill LLP, Roanoke Cement, Statesville Brick, Taylor Thompson Masonry,
Whitman Masonry
$50 - RBD Associates
Tool Donation - Marshalltown Company, Triad
Rental & Supply
Equipment – Bobcat of Charlotte, Gates Construction, Johnson Concrete, Carolina Stalite, Huntley
Brothers Company, McGee Brothers Company
2016 Contest Committee: Kent Huntley, Chairman; Greg Huntley, Head Judge; Leland Eckard,
Senior Committee Member; Brandon Hartsell,
Doc McGee, Jody Wall, Starling Johnson, and Judy
Johnson, photographer
The 2017 contest returns to Custom Brick &
Supply Company in Raleigh Saturday May 20th
co-hosted by the Raleigh Chapter.
N
NC SkillsUSA
Masonry at Greensboro
This Issue Sponsored by
Greensboro Winner Sixteen-year-old Kelby Thornton (above) of Central Cabarrus High School is the
Champion of the April NC SkillsUSA State Conference Masonry Contest. His instructor is Todd Hartsell.
Second to fifth place finishers respectively were Thomas Shaver, Mount Pleasant High School; Steve Brown,
West Rowan High School; Justin Greer, South Rowan High School; and James Lambert, Mount Pleasant High
School. Thornton lives in Midland and is the son of Tony and Leigh Thornton. Kelby says, “I’m looking
forward to a bright future in the masonry industry. I enjoy building things that can be appreciated, and I
can look back and see my accomplishments. For my free time, I enjoy laying brick, hunt, fish, and spend
time with my friends and family. My experience includes landscaping and laying retaining walls, fire places,
and columns. I have participated with Central Cabarrus High School on multiple masonry trips building
foundations for Habitat for Humanity, building mailboxes, signs for the Midland Fire Department, a back
stop at Hickory Ridge softball field, and a bell tower at a local church.” Kelby was the winner of the Home
Builders Association regional high school masonry contest at Concord in early April. Kelby and postsecondary winner Cody Harrison of Mount Pleasant High School will represent North Carolina at the National
SkillsUSA Masonry Competition in June in Louisville. The contest took place at the Greensboro Coliseum.
NCMCA member firms provided materials, equipment, judges, and volunteers.
Welcome New Member
Danny Ward Masonry
Danny Ward (R1)
Canton, NC
Recruited by Land of the Sky Chapter
See more pictures from
NCMCA events and
activities linked at the
NCMCA.com News page
2016 Douglas Drye Award For the second year in
a row Fred T. Foard High School in Catawba County
received the 2016 Doug Drye Award for best overall
performance in the masonry competitions at the
2016 Greensboro NC SkillUS State Conference in
April. The Overall Performance Award is named
in honor of Douglas Drye who retired from Mount
Pleasant High in 2008 and still holds the record for
the most high school national masonry champions
of all the masonry instructors in the country. The
award is presented by NCMCA and The Southeast
Concrete Masonry Association. Fred T. Foard High
School is a three-time Drye Award winner having
also earned the recognition in 2012 and 2015. In the
photo, NCMCA President Bob Gates, right of plaque,
presents the award to instructor Rick Greene, left
of plaque, joined by the seniors in Greene’s masonry class, industry officials and local masonry
contractors: standing right to left, C.E.Moser and
Wayne Starr, officers of the Western Carolina NCMCA
chapter; Byard Stevens, President of the Southeast Concrete Masonry Association; masonry contractor Neil Dellinger; and President Gates.
Page 10 NC Masonry News June 2016