Contractor Tip of the Month: Taking Risks and Investing in People
June 2025

Great leaders don’t just manage risk, they challenge convention. While many chase margins and efficiencies, the most visionary among them invest in what matters most: their people. They see talent not as a cost, but as the foundation of innovation, loyalt

Fechino Files: Well, That is What He Told Me…
June 2025

As part of my job, I get the opportunity to have contractors, architects, and engineers discuss challenges that they face on the projects they are working on, and usually, they ask for advice. My job is easy; I am on the outside, basically without a dog i

GEN NXT: Arnold Barboan
June 2025

In an interview with the MCAA, Arnold Barboan shares his journey and insights into the masonry industry, highlighting the personal connections and passions that have helped shape his career. Arnold's initial involvement in masonry was inspired by family t

Business Building: Move Your Company To The Next Level!
June 2025

Is your construction business growing and giving you the results you wanted when you first started your entrepreneurial journey? Or are you stuck in the muck and can’t seem to get moving? As small companies begin to grow, they get bogged down, hit challen

Marvelous Masonry: Beauvais Cathedral
June 2025

Beauvais Cathedral, located in northern France, stands as one of the most ambitious and instructive examples of Gothic architecture ever attempted. For masonry contractors and supp

Who is Catching? Dictate or Delegate
June 2025

Most of us think we know the difference between dictating something and delegating it. My question is, how many of us can explain it? I would venture that many have the same idea of delegation. In a nutshell, it is when you hand off a task or project to

Chairman’s Message: Once Upon a Time at MCAA
June 2025

Our association has grown through the last seventy-five years into a bold and powerful asset for mason contractors and the masonry industry as a whole. It’s quite remarkable to have lasted three quarters of a century. MCAA will be celebrating our 75th i

Masonry in the Media: Plaza de Espana, Dunnotar Castle, and More
June 2025

The structures featured in films and tv can take us to new locations from the comfort of our own homes. From galaxies far far away to old Scottish castles, these four locations can take the viewers to new universes or transport them to the past. Plaza de

Kent Huntley & Paul Cantarella Jr. 75th Midyear Testimonies
June 2025

The MCAA has long been a pillar of strength, tradition, and craftsmanship within our industry. As we approach this year’s Midyear meeting, I am reminded of their vital role in fostering connection, growth, and inspiration. This year’s event

Outreach Outlook: Laying the Groundwork
June 2025

As summer gets underway, the MCAA Outreach and Education Division is proud to reflect on a season marked by progress, partnership, and promise for the future of masonry. From vibrant expos and strategic planning meetings to national recognition and compet

National Masonry Associations Arrive to Help Salvage Historic Chimneys For Palisades Fire Memorial
May 2025

Los Angeles, CA – Beginning in the final week of May, an assembly of masonry teams will arrive in the Pacific Palisades to help salvage the historically-significant chimneys identified through House Museum’s disaster recovery initiative, Project Chimney.

The Cost of a Job: An Ever-Moving Target
May 2025

I look at a well-functioning estimating department and think, as I imagine most do, of the age-old question: "What came first – the chicken or the egg?" How do you know how much it costs to do a job before you do it? The truth is that pricing a job is an

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 21 Recap: Justin Meyer, VP of Sales - The Quikrete Companies
May 2025

For this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Justin Meyer joins the MCAA in Indianapolis to talk about where his love for the industry started and what it's like attending the CMHA meetings.

The Evolution and Innovation of Concrete Unit Pavers
May 2025

When concrete unit pavers were first produced in Europe after the second World War, they were used as a replacement for clay brick pavers due to a lack of raw materials needed to produce that product. The primary emphasis was function with little to no co

Masonry Mortar: The Right Type for the Job
May 2025

When it comes to masonry construction, mortar is much more than “glue” that holds everything together — it’s a critical component of wall performance, longevity, and aesthetics. It can “make it or break it”. Whether you’re laying a foundation CMU wall or

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 20 Recap: Mark Kemp, Superior Masonry
May 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Mark Kemp joins the set to talk about his esteemed career in masonry, how his passion stayed strong throughout the years, and how retirement has been treating him.