Masonry Edge the storypole Vol7 No1 : Page 32
Mason Contractors Prepare and shoot for the moon to Remain Strong by Mackie Bounds The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) represents more than 12,000 mason contractors from around the country. It was my distinct pleasure to serve as President the past two years and help lead masonry to a highly respected position in the construction industry. Not only does our association represent us as mason contractors, but also with our desire to be a better service to the architectural community along with our customers. This writing represents my closing speech at the annual convention this year in Las Vegas, in conjunction with World of Masonry. I am excited to share this and let each of you know just how excited I am about the future of our great masonry world. Marketing Committee Focuses on Education MasonrySystems.org has opened up a communication highway. This site allows the design community to download details and sections to use on their projects. It also allows everyone to be educated on sustainability, beauty and the energy efficiencies of masonry. This site continues to improve through staff and volunteer efforts. I am excited about future opportunities with MasonrySystems.org. Be sure to visit it soon! Along with education comes a Contractor Certification Program. It is a goal to ensure the architectural community as they design using more masonry, qualified contractors will be available to perform. The EPA has also asked us to put a certification program together to qualify contractors to build wood burning fireplaces. As each of you can see, we have a large task ahead, but our programs are in place to make this task achievable. As more contractors become certified, it will allow us to start meeting with local AIA groups and asking them to require the mason contractor be certified to establish higher quality standards. This goal will enable the design community to use masonry with confidence. Craftsmen and Contractor Education As we expand our market, Technical Committee Partners with Manufacturers We have a great Technical Committee working with the brick, CMU and stone industries to ensure that high quality products and quality installation result in better buildings for end users to enjoy for many years. We are excited to have so many new products being developed and manufactured, enabling the design community to use masonry with confidence like never before. there becomes more demand for qualified craftsmen. Many contractors around the country are union members who have enjoyed great training programs for many years. Here at MCAA, we represent both union and open shop contractors. With that said, we have established a partnership with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) that has expertise in training in all fields of the construction industry. The uniform program now established can be used and recognized nationwide. Training will begin at the high school level and programs will also be established for apprentice, mason tenders and forklift driving. MCAA is educating the future workforce. Safety Advantage We know The Marketing Committee is helping lead the way for change in our world. We are pursuing a marketing effort entitled Vision 20/20 that encourages the use of masonry from city to city. Several areas around the country have embraced this or similar programs and we are now beginning to see results. We are educating the design community along with construction managers to the sustainability of our products and materials. We have several models that show cost comparisons with competitive products, along with sustainability and energy efficiencies. And now, we are researching and pursuing the opportunity of using BIM for masonry in the design and construction stages of a project. When it comes to education, the focus has changed. It is the desire of every qualified mason contractor to only get better. MCAA has set out on a course that will enable us to learn from each other. Contractors teaching best practices will definitely improve our industry. As will round table discussions with general contractors, construction managers and architects. We are learning how to better serve our customers. Not only do we want to educate the mason contractor, but we also want to educate the employees of the contractors. This includes project managers, estimators and field personnel. As we move forward, you will see a greater effort being put forth to prepare each of us to better serve our customer. that safety must always be first. The Safety Committee produces Safety Advantage as a short read concerning safety for members. It is a great educational tool to be shared with employees. Safety Forums are now held regularly for all to participate in and share information with one another. This assures our customers of a safe jobsite. In 2012, we will hold our very first Safety Awards and recognize leaders across the nation when it comes to Safety in the Masonry World. This is exciting! An Eye on Washington The Legislative Committee has done an outstanding job pursuing issues that help each of us as business owners. Rather than being reactive, we are now proactive. We must all realize we are business people in the masonry business. What takes place in Washington DC has as much effect on our bottom line as production does. We now have presence and are recognized on Capital Hill and we will continue to strengthen our ties. masonryedge.com 32 MASONRY EDG E / thestorypole Vol 7 No 1 Masonry Technology | Innovation
Mason Contractors Prepare to Remain Strong
Mackie Bounds
<br /> and shoot for the moon<br /> <br /> The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) represents more than 12,000 mason contractors from around the country. It was my distinct pleasure to serve as President the past two years and help lead masonry to a highly respected position in the construction industry. Not only does our association represent us as mason contractors, but also with our desire to be a better service to the architectural community along with our customers. This writing represents my closing speech at the annual convention this year in Las Vegas, in conjunction with World of Masonry. I am excited to share this and let each of you know just how excited I am about the future of our great masonry world<br /> <br /> Marketing Committee Focuses on Education The Marketing Committee is helping lead the way for change in our world. We are pursuing a marketing effort entitled Vision 20/20 that encourages the use of masonry from city to city. Several areas around the country have embraced this or similar programs and we are now beginning to see results. We are educating the design community along with construction managers to the sustainability of our products and materials. We have several models that show cost comparisons with competitive products, along with sustainability and energy efficiencies. And now, we are researching and pursuing the opportunity of using BIM for masonry in the design and construction stages of a project.<br /> <br /> MasonrySystems.org has opened up a communication highway. This site allows the design community to download details and sections to use on their projects. It also allows everyone to be educated on sustainability, beauty and the energy efficiencies of masonry. This site continues to improve through staff and volunteer efforts. I am excited about future opportunities with MasonrySystems.org. Be sure to visit it soon!<br /> <br /> Craftsmen and Contractor Education As we expand our market, there becomes more demand for qualified craftsmen. Many contractors around the country are union members who have enjoyed great training programs for many years. Here at MCAA, we represent both union and open shop contractors. With that said, we have established a partnership with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) that has expertise in training in all fields of the construction industry. The uniform program now established can be used and recognized nationwide. Training will begin at the high school level and programs will also be established for apprentice, mason tenders and forklift driving. MCAA is educating the future workforce.<br /> <br /> When it comes to education, the focus has changed. It is the desire of every qualified mason contractor to only get better. MCAA has set out on a course that will enable us to learn from each other. Contractors teaching best practices will definitely improve our industry. As will round table discussions with general contractors, construction managers and architects. We are learning how to better serve our customers. Not only do we want to educate the mason contractor, but we also want to educate the employees of the contractors. This includes project managers, estimators and field personnel. As we move forward, you will see a greater effort being put forth to prepare each of us to better serve our customer.<br /> <br /> Along with education comes a Contractor Certification Program. It is a goal to ensure the architectural community as they design using more masonry, qualified contractors will be available to perform. The EPA has also asked us to put a certification program together to qualify contractors to build wood burning fireplaces. As each of you can see, we have a large task ahead, but our programs are in place to make this task achievable. As more contractors become certified, it will allow us to start meeting with local AIA groups and asking them to require the mason contractor be certified to establish higher quality standards. This goal will enable the design community to use masonry with confidence.<br /> <br /> Technical Committee Partners with Manufacturers We have a great Technical Committee working with the brick, CMU and stone industries to ensure that high quality products and quality installation result in better buildings for end users to enjoy for many years. We are excited to have so many new products being developed and manufactured, enabling the design community to use masonry with confidence like never before.<br /> <br /> Safety Advantage We know that safety must always be first. The Safety Committee produces Safety Advantage as a short read concerning safety for members. It is a great educational tool to be shared with employees. Safety Forums are now held regularly for all to participate in and share information with one another. This assures our customers of a safe jobsite. In 2012, we will hold our very first Safety Awards and recognize leaders across the nation when it comes to Safety in the Masonry World. This is exciting!<br /> <br /> An Eye on Washington The Legislative Committee has done an outstanding job pursuing issues that help each of us as business owners. Rather than being reactive, we are now proactive. We must all realize we are business people in the masonry business. What takes place in Washington DC has as much effect on our bottom line as production does. We now have presence and are recognized on Capital Hill and we will continue to strengthen our ties.<br /> <br /> Future Leaders The South of 40 Committee gives MCAA a shining future. This group was formed to get young executives involved in the association. We recognize them as future leaders and producers. I am proud to say I was able to appoint eight out of 12 committee chairs for South of 40. They have become our shining light, a beacon as we look to the future! Out of that group we now have TEAM awards to showcase the beauty of masonry. Vision awards recognize architects, cities, universities and school districts for their love and use of masonry. They have a fun fundraiser event that supports the Masonry Foundation. I am most proud of this group of young executives that I know one day will produce industry leaders. They also recognize the elder statesmen of our industry who have provided them with opportunities they enjoy today. This year we inducted our first group of leaders into the Masonry Hall of Fame.<br /> <br /> The Membership Committee has done an outstanding job in growing membership in a depressed economy. New member categories include residential mason contractors and students. Many students across the nation are being trained. We want them to be with us as we learn together. The future is bright and exciting.<br /> <br /> As I became MCAA President two years ago, I promised I would continue to build a strong structure that our past presidents had already started. At the same time, I stated my goal to bring change and prepare us to remain strong in a changing construction world. My ultimate goal was to bridge gaps and unite our industry.<br /> <br /> As I depart, I am humbled with the opportunity and I am proud of what we together have accomplished. I end by saying, Shoot for the moon and even if you miss, you will land among the stars.
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