Huckabee, Griffin Awarded C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award

Each year, the Mason Contractors Association of America presents the C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award to individuals who have provided exemplary leadership in advancing the masonry industry. All of the individuals who have received this prestigious award have demonstrated a tireless dedication to our industry through years of volunteer support and hard work. They have helped to ensure that our industry remains vital for the nearly 500,000 people employed through masonry.

Never before has the C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award been presented to an individual outside of the masonry industry. At the 2007 MCAA Annual Meeting in Orlando, the prestigious award was presented to a customer of masonry; someone that we wish all construction customers could emulate.

Chris Huckabee has been described as being the ultimate construction customer: well educated on the benefits of total masonry construction, knowledgeable of the strengths of our system versus other systems and understanding of our products and their strength and versatility. Not only does he have a deep understanding of our system but he has been one of our industry's leading advocates for building with total masonry construction. In fact, he has not only been a proponent, but he has incurred the wrath of those in the tilt-up industry. He is the ultimate customer, a committed masonry user.

Most recently he challenged the contractor segment of masonry to become engaged in fighting for every construction project and resist attempts to let any project go to a competitive system, a challenge that we have taken to heart at the national association.

"In addition, to being one of our industries greatest advocates, he also heads one of the leading architectural firms in Texas. He is a husband, father, coach and a great fiend of masonry," said MCAA President, Frank Campitelli, as he presented Chris Huckabee with the 2007 C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award. "It is my distinct honor and privilege to present the 2007 C. Dewitt Leadman Award to Mr. Chris Huckabee."

A second C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award was presented to an individual who has served the masonry industry longer than most. Spending several terms as a MCAA Regional Vice President and ultimately being selected as a Senior Officer, MCAA Past President, G. Alan Griffin, also served as President of his local state association and followed in his father's footsteps of service to the industry.

"While the national association does not make the distinction between union and non-union, he has the distinction of being the first open shop President of the MCAA’s 55 year history," said Campitelli. "It is my honor to present the 2007 C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award to Alan Griffin."

The Mason Contractors Association of America would like to congratulate both Chris Huckabee and Alan Griffin and thank them for all that they have done for the masonry industry.