another gold hill contest - ncmca · another gold hill contest gold hill, nc – eighteen-year-old...
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Another Gold Hill ContestGOLD HILL, NC – Eighteen-year-old Daniel Furr,
sponsored by Koontz Masonry in Lexington, NC, has won the “David R. Sigmon” Award and is the Champion of the 2014 NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest. Furr finished first in a field of twenty-six apprentices from six NCMCA member firms at the May 17th contest hosted by Johnson Concrete Company at sister-company Carolina Stalite’s Ben Ketchie Park in Gold Hill.
Rounding out the top-ten respectively: Brennan Huntley, Huntley Brothers Company; Reid Hallman, McGee Brothers Company; Juis Marquez, Huntley Brothers Company; Blake Hodge, sponsored by Gates Construction Company; Fernando Olade, Brodie Contractors; Travin Munn, McGee Brothers; Kelton McGee, McGee Brothers; Noah Baucom, McGee Both-ers; and Lane Mullis, McGee Brothers.
Top-ten scores ranged from 163 to 152 points out of a possible 180.
This Issue Sponsored by
See Page Three
In this Issue:
Message from the President Page 2Meet the New President Page 2Sponsor’s Page Page 3Certification Update Page 4Convention Panel Discussion Page 4Butch Hardy Memorial Contest Page 4Mountain and Caldwell Contests Page 5Thanks Convention Sponsors! Page 5Annual Meeting Summary Page 6New Safety Award Page 6ASU Sigmon Competition Page 8Welcome New Members Page 8Dates to Note Page 9Member News Page 9NC SkillsUSA Winners Page 10
Contestants 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.”
New Champion Daniel Furr is having a success-ful year in masonry competitions. He won the NC SkillsUSA Post-Secondary State Masonry Contest at Greensboro in April and will represent North Caro-lina in the National Competition at Kansas City this summer. As the winner of the Gold Hill Contest, he has earned the right to represent North Carolina at the 2015 Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) International Apprentice Skills Competition in Las Vegas.
Furr is from Mt. Pleasant and is a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, where he learned masonry from instructor Ryan Shaver, himself a
June 2014 Vol. 40 No. 2
The Newsletter of The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association
Top Five Daniel Furr, sponsored by Koontz Masonry, is the new champion and winner of the David R. Sigmon Award at the 2014 NCMCA Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest. Top, left to right, Contest Head Judge Kent Huntley; Daniel Furr; Brennan Huntley, second-place, Huntley Brothers Company; Bob Gates, Contest Chairman and NCMCA President-Elect; and Ashlee K. Moore, NCMCA President. Bottom, left to right: fifth-place finisher Blake Hodge, Gates Construction Company; Luis Marquez, fourth-place, Huntley Brothers Company; and Reid Hallman, McGee Brothers Company, third-place.
Celebrating Forty Years 1974-2014
MasonrySystems.orgNCMCA.com
Photograph by Judy Johnson
see “Contest” continued page nine
Page 2 NC Masonry News June 2014
Sign of a Professionalwww.ncmca.com
Ashlee K. Moore, CMP, PresidentKoontz Masonry, Lexington NC
Robert Gates, CME, President-ElectGates Construction Company, Mooresville, NC
Kent Huntley, CME, Secretary TreasurerHuntley Brothers Company, Monroe, NC
Gary Joyner, CME, ChairmanJoyner Masonry Works, Inc., Greenville, NC
Chris Bruner, CMP, Central Vice Pres.Gates Construction Company, Mooresville NC
Doug Burton, CME, Eastern Vice Pres.Whitman Masonry, Benson, NC
Don Caldwell, Western Vice Pres.C & R Masonry, Candler, NC
Glenn Sipe, First President 1974-75Glenn W. Sipe & Son, Conover NC
John Cramer AAI, Insurance ConsultantTriSure Corporation, Raleigh, NC
Pete Schantz RHU, Insurance ConsultantMountcastle Insurance, Winston-Salem, NC
Lynn Nash, Executive Vice PresidentHickory, NC
The Quarterly Newsletter of The North Carolina
Masonry Contractors Association
109 11th Avenue NWPost Office Box 3463
Hickory, NC 28603-3463Telephone (828) 324-1564
Fax (828) [email protected]
Andy-the-Cat Productions
Photographs by Andy-the-Cat Productions unless otherwise noted
June 2014
Brent and I took a whirlwind trip to Washington, DC last week. The Keelan Group (lobbyist for the Mason Contractors Association of America) sched-uled back-to-back meetings with Representatives and Senators to promote the CMU Check-Off Pro-gram and discuss silica and other issues pertinent to masonry. We arrived in DC late last Tuesday night and, when we tried to check into our hotel, we were told they had overbooked. So there we were in downtown DC with no place to stay. We called over fifty hotels. We almost gave up and headed back toward home. Close to midnight, we finally found a place to stay in Springfield, VA.
We are so glad we stayed. It turned out to be a wonderful trip. We learned a lot, met lots of new people and got to hang with Gary Joyner, Imani Brodie, and Jennifer Morrell (Editor of Masonry Magazine). Out of nine meetings we spoke directly with two Senators and three Representatives.
I hope you all had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend and I hope to see you all at the CPMCA Danny Koonts Memorial golf tournament on Thursday, June 12.
- Ashlee K. Moore, CMP President
A Word from the President
New Officers New officers were elected for the 2014-2016 term in April. Left to right, Secretary Treasurer Kent Huntley of Huntley Brothers Company in Monroe; President Elect Robert H. “Bob” Gates of Gates Construction Company in Mooresville; President Ashlee Koontz Moore of Koontz Masonry, Inc, Lexington, NC; Chairman of the Board Gary S. Joyner, Joyner Masonry Works in Greenville, NC; and Central Region Vice President, Chris Bruner, also of Gates Construction Company. Not pictured, Eastern Regional Vice President Doug Burton of Whitman Masonry in Raleigh; Western Region Vice President Don Caldwell, C & R Masonry in Candler; and Executive Vice President Lynn Nash, Hickory. New President Ashlee has the distinction of not only being the first female president of NCMCA, but also the first third generation president of the Association. Her grandfather, the late Belton Koontz, served as president from 1976 to 1977, and her father, Freddy Koontz, was president from 1998 to 2000. The April 2014 Convention and Annual Meeting marked the Fortieth Anniversary of NCMCA, chartered in April of 1974.
Meet the New President
By Sharon Myers, The (Lexington) DispatchIt is not unusual for a child to follow in the foot-
steps of a father or grandfather, but when you’re a woman in a man’s field, it can be more complicated.
Ashlee Moore never had any doubt she would be part of the family masonry business, and it was almost a given she would one day be in a position of leadership in the organization her grandfather helped create.
Moore was named as the first female president of the North Carolina Brick Masonry Contractors Association on April 26 and is the third generation from her family to lead the group.
“I always knew I wanted to work for the family business, I just didn’t know how,” Moore said. “I grew up going to all these meetings, bricklaying competitions and conventions. I respect and admire the men I work with, and I have always looked up to them. I have tried to get in there and work really hard with the guys in whatever way I can. It has been a positive experience.”
Moore, 40, lives in the Reeds community and works for Koontz Masonry, which her grandfather started in 1949. She graduated from West Davidson High
see “President” continued page ten
Page 4 NC Masonry News June 2014
The sixth series of NCMCA Masonry Contrac-tor Certification Program classes for individual certification began in March. Module Two “Brick, Block & Stone: the Basics of Masonry Materials” with Dale Yarbrough, PE, is Thursday June 19th at McGee Brothers Company in Greensboro. Module Four “Structural Engineering Basics for Masonry Professionals” with H.R. (Trey) Hamilton III, P.E., Ph.D. is Thursday August 28, 2014 and Module Five “Mastering the Details of Masonry Construction” with Patrick Rand, FAIA, is Monday September 29, 2014. All three classes are required for both levels of certification.
Note the modules will not necessarily be presented “in order” in an effort to accommodate the schedules of the instructors.
Additional details and class registration forms are posted on the Scheduled Events page of NCMCA.com as they become available.
In an effort to clarify policy, the Certification Board of Governors issued the following statement in May: “While everyone is welcomed and encour-aged to participate in the certification classes as a means of continuing education and professional development, credit toward personal certification can only be earned by successfully completing and passing the end of class exams independently, with-out assistance, and which will be provided solely in written English. The decision is a recognition that codes and standards, specifications, drawings and other construction documents are almost exclusively provided in the English language. Therefore, the Governors deem that a demonstrated ability to read and comprehend the English language is an uncom-promised requirement of personal certification in the NCMCA Masonry Contractor Certification Program.”
Recent individual certification approvals: Certified Masonry Executive (CME): Michael Ra-
dosa, Boettcher Masonry; Nancy Land, Eddie Land, Inc.; Don McGee, McGee Brothers Company; Kendra Blackmon, Rush Masonry Management; and Dean Bagnoni, Winston Masonry Company.
Certified Masonry Professional (CMP): Chase Lipford, Custom Stonescapes; Scot Lyons, Eddie Land, Inc.; Derek Lockrem, Gates Construction Company; Britton Craig, Giant Cement Company; James C. Yost, III, Giant Cement Company; Joseph Gedrimas, Manning Masonry; Roy Zinn, Manning Masonry; Jaime Apodaca, Pinnacle Masonry; and Juan Juarez, Pinnacle Masonry.
Certification Update
Convention Panel In a presentation sponsored by Adams, an Oldcastle company, five prominent masonry contractors from across the country joined NCMCA President and moderator Gary Joyner (top right) for “Masonry Contracting: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Headed,” a panel discussion at the April 2014 NCMCA Annual Meeting and Convention held at The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia. The panel-ists included (top, left to right) Damian Lang of Lang Masonry, Waterford, Ohio; and Edwin Davenport of Davenport Masonry, Holt Michigan. Also (bottom left to right) MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp of Superior Masonry, Butler, Wisconsin; MCAA Hall-of-Fame Member Jerry Painter of Painter Masonry, Gainesville, Florida; and MCAA Hall-of-Fame Member Sam McGee of McGee Brothers Company, Monroe. The panel emphasized the need for promotion, recruitment, a commitment to training, and political involvement. The session ended with a very positive slide presentation by Painter, showcasing the beauty and art of masonry, and quoting statistics about the industry’s contribution to the economy.
For the thirty-third year, Adams, an Oldcastle company, has held it’s Annual Masonry Skills Contest for masonry students attending high schools in eastern North Carolina. Top-Score for the May 2014 contest was achieved by Natitaly Razo, a freshman at Columbus Career & College Academy in Fair Bluff, instructed by Fred Mason. Ms. Razo finished “First Place” in the Women’s Division followed by Kathryn Morton and Katie Myers, both of White Oak High School. Sam LaRue of Swansboro High School finished “First Place” in the men’s division, followed respectively by Walter Ocampo, Pender County High; Alston Smith, White Oak High; Ridge Roussei, Harnett Central High; and Chase Harrell, Pender County High. White Oak High School, instructed by Jeff Lausterer, won first place for combined team score. High scorer Natltaly Razo enjoys volleyball and playing soccer and lives in Hallsboro with her parents, Valentin Godinez and Lidia Garcia. Natltaly wants to one day own a masonry and architect business. “I am a hard worker and I am dedicated and determined to be a successful person in the career I choose. I am really proud of myself and that I have proved some people wrong, that said I would never win or do anything right. Now I have finished first-place two times,” she says. “I am very thankful for my instructor, Fred Mason, for believing in me and pushing me mentally and physically to do my best.” The competition is named The H. A. “Butch” Hardy Memorial Masonry Contest in memory of the contest founder. The event was held in Goldsboro.
Danny Koonts Golf TournamentThe Annual Central Piedmont Chapter Danny
Koonts Memorial Golf Tournament is Thursday June 12th at Lexington Country Club. Call David Zenns (336) 886-2714 for details or visit the “Scheduled Events” page at NCMCA.com
June 2014 NC Masonry News Page 5
Mountain Contest Matt Sutton, a senior at Tuscola High School in Waynesville, has won the 2014 Annual NCMCA Land of the Sky Chapter Masonry Contest for masonry students from high schools in western North Carolina. Top, left to right, NCMCA Regional Vice President Don Caldwell, Third Place Finisher Branson McClure of McDowell High School; Matt Sutton; Second Place Finisher Jack Boyer and Fourth Place Fin-isher Chris Hill of Tuscola High School; and Land of the Sky Chapter President Gary Kitchen. Bottom, left to right, First-Year-Division Second Place Finisher Jimmy Fisher, Tuscola High School; First-Year-Division First Place Winner Isaac Rogers of Brevard High School; and First-Year-Division Third Place Finisher Zack Whisenant of West Henderson High School. Twenty-three students from five schools participated in the March contest, held at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock.
Thanks Convention SponsorsPlatinum
Diamond
Gold
Convention Golf
BronzeJoyner Masonry WorksKoontz Masonry, Inc.
Silver
Caldwell County Contest In May, the three high schools in Caldwell County conducted their Third Annual Masonry Competition in Lenoir. Pictured left to right, Hibriten High School instructor Tracy Bradshaw; Second Place finisher Nathan Sanders of Hibriten High School; First Place Finisher Austin Clarke, instructor Scott Settlemyre, and Third Place finisher Thomas Beane, all three of South Caldwell High School. Competi-tions for masonry tenders, “Fastest Trowel,” and “Masonry One” were included in the day’s events. More than $3,000 in cash was awarded as prizes. Money, tools and materials were donated by local merchants, contractors and the Lenoir-Caldwell County Home Builders Association. The competition was hosted by Hibriten Building Supply. West Caldwell High School also participated.
Page 6 NC Masonry News June 2014
First Annual Safety Awards At the April Annual Meeting, John Cramer of TriSure Corporation (right) presented the inaugural NCMCA Insurance Program Safety Awards. After explaining the criteria based on comparing actual 2013 results versus national Bureau of Labor Statistic rates for both DART, (Days Away, Restricted or Transferred) and TIRC, (Total Incident Reported Cases), along with a review of Experience Modification Factors and summaries of each companies Safety Programs, plaques and certificates were awarded for LPS Enterprises, Inc., Masonry Unlimited of Cherryville, Inc., and Joyner Masonry Works, Inc., for “No Accidents” reported in 2013 for companies under 100,000 man-hours. Gates Construction Company, Inc., was presented a plaque and certificate for superior 2013 safety performance for companies with over 100,000 man-hours. (Left to right) Bob Gates and Mike Cook of Gates Construction Company; Chris and Gary Joyner of Joyner Masonry Works; and John Cramer.
The Annual Association Business/Board of Direc-tors Meeting was April 26th in Hot Springs, Virginia. The following is a summary of that meeting.
Treasurer Bob Gates reported 2013 Year End total assets of $591,359.68. As of 3/31/14: Assets of $611,327.49. NCMCA ended 2013 with a loss of $3,222.97, which was less than predicted.
President Gary Joyner recognized Freddie McMa-han for presenting the health and benefits report for over twenty-five years. Freddie attended the 2014 convention as a “new retiree.”
Pete Schantz presented a report on the Associa-tion’s health and benefits program: “After a less than ideal governmental rollout for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) through it’s open enrollment period, the Department of Health and Human Services reports that over 8 million people have signed up in a state or federal exchange medical insurance plan. I emphasize “signed up” as there is a clear difference between paying premium and merely signing up. Thousands of people who initially “signed up” failed to pay their first month’s premium and therefore were never actually covered. It is not clear whether any of these folks were counted twice in the 8 million tally if they happened to “sign up” again in the extended open enrollment, which went through March 31, 2014. Regardless of what the actual enrollment numbers may be, several important updates/delays/ timeframes have been issued since the NCMCA board meeting in January. Of most importance to NCMCA Contractors/Associates:
1) “The individual mandate requiring most Americans to be covered on a government compli-ant plan or face a penalty was delayed until March
31, 2014 and in some cases for another month if an application was started prior to March 31 and not completed due to online glitches or other complication.
2) “A new Hardship Waiver opportunity is now available that would eliminate penalties for individ-uals not in compliance in 2014. Among the hardship categories: you were homeless, you received a shut off notice from a utility company, you experienced another hardship in obtaining health insurance. (Translation, if you don’t have coverage in 2014, your penalty will be minimal at worst).
3) “Groups that have between 50-100 Full Time Equivalents were granted an extension until their renewal date in 2016 to be in compliance with ACA mandates. Conditions:
a) Employers cannot reduce employee size specifi-cally to avoid penalty.
b) If employer currently offers coverage, they cannot eliminate or materially reduce plan coverage. (i.e. same or better plan must be kept).
c) Employer cannot charge more than 5% of current employee dollar contribution.
4) “The ACA mandate for groups with more than 100 FTE’s was delayed until the employer’s renewal in 2015. Same conditions apply as 3b and 3c above for 2014 renewal.
5) “Seasonal Employee now means 6 months or less. ‘Labor is performed on a seasonal basis where, ordinarily, the employment pertains to or is of the kind exclusively performed at certain seasons or pe-riods of the year and which, from its nature, may not be continuous or carried on throughout the year.’
“We currently manage benefits for 12 NCMCA
Contractors/Associates. Actual covered subscribers within the groups we manage have held steady the last few years, although down from 5 or 6 years ago. This is consistent with our non-NCMCA group clients. Market-place/Obamacare/Exchange opportunities did not yield the results we anticipated for 2014 as enrollment execution was flawed and made an already confusing situation worse for most everyone involved. We think this will play out differently as open enrollment begins in November for 2015 due to employee/employer familiarity, increased penal-ties for non-compliance and hopefully more carrier options in the marketplace.
“On the group side, as we have said before, it truly is different for every employer based on size of group, budget, employee recruitment/retainment, and in some cases cost of penalty vs. premium.
“Regardless, we are here for you to determine the best course of action. We truly appreciate your continued friendship and partnership.”
TriSure’s John Cramer and Heidi O’Connor reported on the Association liability and workers’ compensation program. “Masonry volume remains flat throughout the 4th quarter of 2013.
“Payrolls are not increasing significantly and while weather was not a significant factor in the 4th quarter of 2013, it had a huge impact in 1st quarter of 2014.
“Currently, we have 24 participating members. The estimated premiums continue to remain flat at 1.6 million. A significant part of the decrease in premiums over prior years is the increase in OCIPS and CCIPs. Without those pulling premiums from our clients, we feel we would show upwards of 20% in premiums. Regardless, almost all masonry contractors are smaller, and every company is run-ning leaner.
“Commercial insurance carriers seem to be reaching a consensus that rate levels have increased enough over the last several years that with tighter underwriting, increases will be more in the 5-7% range, versus the high of 15% experienced two years ago. The rates for Workers Comp are going to continue to increase steadily, but at a more modest rate than in prior years. The industry does recog-nize the mod increases are helping to support their need for higher rates. Other lines, such as General Liability, Automobile, Equipment, will also average 3-7% increases on renewal.
“In 2014, we will focus our masonry contrac-tors on proper documentation of subcontractors including written contracts with specific risk transfer wording, verification that insurance is in place cor-rectly, and that there is no one using uninsured subs.
“The single most important insurance issue I would discuss with any masonry contractor in 2014 is the necessity for an Early Return To Work program. Bringing injured workers back as quickly as possible on modified light duty will do more to save them premiums and future cost than any other single
Association Annual Meeting
June 2014 NC Masonry News Page 7
action, other than not having a loss in the first place. An employee who is fully trained in Safety and a management staff that supports Safety and enforces it every day is more critical today than ever before.”
President-Elect/Training Chaiman Ashlee Moore led a report on apprenticeship and training, say-ing the April NC SkillsUSA Masonry Contest in Greensboro went well and was well supported by NCMCA and the masonry industry with volunteers and materials. Blake Hodge of South Rowan High School won the state contest and will represent North Carolina at the National SkillsUSA Masonry Contest later this summer.
Bob Gates, reported on plans for the NCMCA Annual Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest in May. Johnson Concrete Company and the Metrolina Chapter are cosponsoring the event. Kent Huntly will serve as Head Judge, assisted by Dink Mitchell.
Certification Board of Governors Chairman Doug Burton reported on certification. We are conducting the sixth series of classes. Statistics: 485 individuals, 86 firms participating. 112 Certified Masonry Profes-sional (CMP), 72 Certified Masonry Executive (CME), and 27 Company Certifications. Doug had high praise for the promotional boost NCMCA Certifica-tion has received as a result of the collaboration with the Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association (CCMA) in their “Understanding Masonry” presentations. More than thirty “UM” presentations have been made with NCMCA participating in most.
Doug thanked McGee Brothers Company for al-lowing NCMCA to use the firm’s Greensboro training room for most of the recent certification classes.
Doug reported on the Sigmon Scholarship Design Competition. 2013 marked the thirteenth year at NC State University and April marked the third year at Appalachian State University. (Picture and story caption on page #8) The competitions are a good introduction to masonry for the future architects and designers and a good opportunity to reinforce the idea that masonry is structural and not just for veneer.
Nominations Committee Chairman Larry Kirby presented a slate of officers for the 2014-2016 term. (See picture and story caption on page #2.) The slate was approved by acclamation.
John Cramer delivered the safety committee re-port. “OSHA is continuing to have a Silica emphasis program. If anyone in the group is tested, please forward the results to me so that I can continue to compile the results, confidentially, and we can use this data to use as a base-line that will benefit the entire Association going forward.
“OSHA has a new Hazard Communication Stan-dard rolling out December 1st of 2013. The GHS, GLOBAL HARMONIZED SYSTEM is now required for everyone and training must be documented. If you have not done so, please do so immediately. We have provided a resource to our clients for training and compliance. Please make sure all employees
have received the training and you have written documentation in your files. If you need the infor-mation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
“OSHA continues to receive pressure to increase the number of inspections and Serious violations they are charging against employers. We encourage calling us immediately if you have an inspection with violations to discuss rights and alternatives.”
Convention report, Executive Vice President Lynn Nash commended sponsors for 2014, noting that sponsor money and efforts to reduce costs have resulted in no increase in convention registration fees in recent years. 2014 set a new record for convention sponsor money with a total of $26,500. The convention returns to Kingston Plantation April 15-19, 2015.
In the Central Office Report, Nash noted mem-bership numbers have remained steady for the last year. He pointed out the amount of revenue the Association generates from dues compared to the annual operating budget. Successful events, such as the convention and golf tournament, make up the difference, and explain why the predicted loss in 2013 was much lower than expected.
Nash read the list of fifteen firms that voluntarily pay as “Leadership Members” (double normal dues) or “Distinguished Members” (double dues and maintain MCAA membership*)
Brodie Contractors* Cherokee Masonry* Gates Construction* Joyner Masonry Works* Kirby Construction Services* Koontz Masonry* LPS Enterprises* Manning Masonry* McGee Brothers Company* Mountcastle Insurance Pinnacle Masonry* Rush Masonry Management* Triad Masonry of Lexington* TriSure Corporation Whitman Masonry* There was a flurry of discussion and challenges
made concerning the annual chapter pledge for the state treasury. President Joyner explained the pledge program was created about 1997 as a means to raise funds to hire an Association executive director. In the first five years, both member firms and chapters made pledges, the chapters’ goal set at $2,000 each annually. After the first five years, the pledge period was extended indefinitely for the local chapters. The per chapter goal was increased to $3,000 per year in January 2009. Since 1997, the chapters have contributed $346,101.00 for the pledge fund.
Metrolina Chapter President Chris Bruner pre-sented a $3,000 check for their 2014 pledge. Central Piedmont Chapter President Sabrina Beck presented a $4,000 check. Raleigh Chapter Vice President Calvin Brodie presented a pledge check for $3,000. Chairman Larry Kirby presented the Western Caro-lina Chapter’s $2,500 pledge check for 2014, noting it was $500 more than last year. The chapter chose
to withhold $500.00 from the 2014 pledge to be used to assist Maiden High School with the expense of initiating a new masonry training program.
With the new contributions, Raleigh holds the lead in contributions with $70,500.00 followed by Eastern Carolina at $64,501.00 and Western Carolina with $49,100.00. At the end of 2014, each chapter total should be at least $40,000.
Chapter Reports: Land of the Sky (Don Caldwell & David Bass) – “March , the Land of the Sky Chapter, held its annual WNC High School Masonry contest at Blue Ridge Technical Institute in Flat Rock. Six schools from the Land of the Sky region participated in this event; Brevard, East Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Tuscola, and West Henderson, and 23 students participated. Matt Sutton, a senior at Tus-cola High School in Waynesville won the Masonry ll division. Issac Rogers, of Brevard High School was the winner of the Masonry l division. This was the first year Masonry l students have participated in this event. Prizes donated by local suppliers were provided for every participant. President Gary Kitchen thanked Donnie Caldwell, C&R Masonry, Steve Stout, Merrill Masonry, Mike Rogers, Rogers Masonry, Swanson Childress, Cason Building Supply, and David Bass, Adams Oldcastle, for their continued event support. Land of the Sky Chapter members, Donnie Caldwell, NCMCA Reg. VP, and David Bass, Adams Oldcastle, met with the staff at Southwestern Community College in April about a new masonry curriculum in the fall of 2014 headed by masonry instructor Keith Ashe. Mr. Ashe was a masonry con-tractor before accepting the position at SWCC. We believe that in the next several years, trained masons will be in high demand. Several masonry contrac-tors of the Land of the Sky chapter will be donating tools and equipment for the new program. SWCC along with the Land of the Sky chapter would appre-ciate any assistance from NCMCA and its members. With assistance, we believe SWCC can achieve this most needed program. This summer, Land of the Sky Chapter will be honoring one of the most successful masonry contractors and one of the five founding fathers of NCMCA with a lunch in Brevard for Bob Merrill, founder of Merrill Masonry of Brevard. Mr. Merrill began his business in his early 20’s. At one time he was one of the largest masonry contractors and had one of most successful businesses in this state. At 83 and in declining health, the Land of the Sky Chapter believes this presentation is past due.
Mr. Merrill has been instrumental in developing many other who have became very successful ma-sonry contractors. Even though Mr. Merrill has built one of the most successful businesses, he is a man that has never forgotten his roots. He has reached out to help many in his community and, through his church, has helped so many in the mission field. We want to celebrate the life and work of Mr. Merrill this summer. We would love for everyone who knows Mr. Merrill to come to this celebration.”
Page 8 NC Masonry News June 2014
ASU Sigmon Competition Seniors Ethan Young of Jefferson, third from left, and Austin Marshall of Raleigh, fifth from left, are the winners of the Third Annual Appalachian State University NCMCA Sigmon Memorial Design Competition held in Boone in March. Young and Marshall will share a semester’s tuition as their prize. Seven teams of two participated in the competition to design and model a hypothetical masonry in-fill building section as a graded assignment in the ASU Architectural Design Studio IV class. Left to right, Lindsey Rhoden, Adjunct Instructor, ASU Building Science Program; David Jason Miller, ASU Assistant Professor of Building Science; Young; Past NCMCA President Doug Burton, Chairman of the Sigmon Design Competition, who served as judge for the completion; Marshall; and Miles Smith, ASU Department of Technology and Environmental Design adjunct faculty, who also served as a competition judge. The Sigmon Memorial Scholarship Design Competition, now at ASU and at NC State University, is named in memory of brothers Dwyane and David Sigmon, and Dwayne’s son Randy.
Metrolina Chapter Report (Chris Bruner) – “The Metrolina group continues to meet on the second Tuesday of the month at Longhorn Steakhouse in Pineville. We average between 15-25 attendees depending on the program. Typically we have only one or two mason contractors in attendance. Carson Greif with Johnson Concrete and myself recently at-tended the Northwest Cabarrus Middle School Career Days and spoke to the group about opportunities in the masonry industry and other construction trades. The Cabarrus County Building Industry Association Skills contest that was to be held March 29th had to be cancelled due to weather and was not resched-uled. We are pleased to be the host chapter for the up-coming NCMCA Apprentice Masonry Skills contest cohosted by Johnson Concrete/Carolina Stalite in Gold Hill on May 17th.”
Western Carolina Chapter Report (Wayne Starr) – “The Western Carolina Chapter meets the second Tuesday of each month at Dos Amigos located in Conover. We have between six and twelve members in attendance. Our current treasury balance is in excess of $9,000.00. We plan to support the Caldwell County High School Masonry Contest on May 8th. We are scheduled to meet with Vonn Starnes and the administrators of Maiden High School to assist them in establishing a masonry program. Vonn is the son of Gene Starnes, a respected local mason, and says the school administration is very supportive of the idea for a masonry program.”
Raleigh Chapter - Chapter Vice President Calvin Brodie pointed out that the Raleigh Chapter has the most members in attendance at the convention and has the most “Distinguished” members.
Central Piedmont Chapter - Chapter President Sabrina Beck noted that between Nick Ferrucci and Terry Ward, Tucker-Kirby won three shotguns at the previous evening’s gun raffle drawing.
Easter Carolina Chapter (Tim Manning) - “The Eastern Carolina Chapter meets when the oppor-tunity presents itself. Our last meeting was held on a cold February morning on the jobsite. As is customary, the Eastern Carolina Chapter prides itself on combining our talents and resources to help the community. East Carolina Masonry, Joyner Masonry, and Manning Masonry did just that by erecting a concessions and storage area for a local softball team. A number of other firms contributed to our efforts as well. A special thanks to Stone Creek Masonry, Fay Block, and Adams/Oldcastle for supplying our mortar, CMU’s, reinforcing, and grout. The softball organization made a donation to the chapter in recognition of our efforts. The Eastern Chapter’s account balance remains at $5,000. We are delighted to fulfill our obligations to this association. President Joyner commented on the Eastern Carolina Chapter’s success in fundrais-ing and maintaining their pledge even though they rarely meet. President Tim corrected the statement saying they DO indeed regularly meet. It happens on
jobsite fundraising projects laying brick and block. Old Business: President-elect Ashlee introduced
Doug Burton whom she has appointed to another term as Chairman of the Certification Board of Governors. Doug has been Governors’ Chairman since the Board of Governors was created in 2006. Doug presented two nominees whom the board ap-proved to fill terms expiring in May. David Mauney of Pyramid Masonry is nominated by the board to serve another three-year term as an NCMCA contrac-tor representative. Bryan Light, technical director for BIA-SE, is nominated by BIA-SE to replace Eric Johnson for a three-year term.
New Business: The assembly approved a by-laws revision to clear up wording concerning special, non-paying categories of memberships such as “Honor-ary,” “Life,” “Courtesy,” “Emeritus,” etc.
TriSure’s John Cramer presented the inaugural NCMCA Insurance Program Safety Awards. (See picture and story caption on page #6)
Carolina Concrete Masonry Association President Byrad Stevens reported on CCMA and National Concrete Masonry Association activities. Updates were provided on the “lunch and learn” programs presented to architects, engineers, specification writers, construction managers and fellow indus-try members, and the progress of proposed CMU Check-off legislation. He encouraged continued partnership between the two associations. Stevens encouraged everyone to participate in the May MCAA/NCMA Washington Legislative Conference and to otherwise become involved in lobbying with local
representatives. The CCMA Summer Meeting is July 13-16 Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, SC.
Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Chairman Mark Kemp talked about his goal of bringing the masonry industry together at the annual convention in Las Vegas. The following associations will meet: MCAA, National Concrete Ma-sonry Association, BIA, the Building Stone Institute, and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association. He also emphasized the importance of the upcoming Masonry Legislative Conference “fly-in” and of being politically active. The Washington fly-in will bring a strong emphasis on the CMU Check-Off program and silica. He also talked about workforce development and MCAA hiring of a new employee working to bring masonry back into the high schools. He talked about the MCAA Masonry Foundation and its importance to future programs. Mark concluded making an appeal for non-members to join MCAA stating, “With their support, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”
The next Board of Directors meeting is set for Sep-tember 3, 2014 at a time and place to be determined.
Welcome New MembersWarren County Masonry
Christopher Privette (R1)Warrenton, NC
Recruited by Gary Joyner
Thomas Concrete of the CarolinasJohn Bowers (A1)
Raleigh, NCRecruited by the Raleigh Chapter
June 2014 NC Masonry News Page 9
Member NewsPast State President Wayne Starr is recovering sat-
isfactorily from receiving a pace maker in February. Sam McGee McGee Brothers, got a new grandson
for his 75th birthday, which was March 7th. Brock Allen Little was born to Amanda and Clint a little over an hour before midnight on March 6th. Brock Allen makes grandchild number twenty-two for Midge and Sam. Nine girls and thirteen boys. Sam says he feels pretty good for 75. February marked the first anniversary of his 2013 bypass surgery.
Herbert H. “Hub” Lyles, retired from Gifford-Hill/Blue Circle/Lafarge, passed away March 11th. He was 86 and lived in Charlotte.
Myrtle Horne Marapese passed away on March 26th. She was the mother of Michael and wife of Tom, of Marapese Masonry. Mrs. Marapese was 84 and lived in Jacksonville.
Regarding his book, “The Real Business 101: Lessons From the Trenches,” Jim Sobeck of New South Construction Supply says, “The book has done much better than I expected. The reviews from all over the world have exceeded my expecta-tions and have been very gratifying.” In addition to being available on line, the book is now avail-able in a print version: https://www.createspace.com/4656600?ref=1147694&utm_id=6026
Metrolina Chapter Secretary Carson Greif lost her father April 9th. John H. McGaha was 65 years old.
Mattachione Construction, Inc. celebrated its 25th Anniversary in April.
Swiss-based Holcim and its French counterpart, Lafarge, have announced plans for a merger that will create an industry giant with a combined $44 billion in annual revenues. The new company will be named LafargeHolcim and be based in Swit-zerland.
At their March monthly chapter meeting, the Land of the Sky Chapter recognized Jerry Bayne for his years of service to the Association, to the industry, and to the masonry students of western North Caro-lina. Mr. Bayne had been the masonry instructor at East Henderson High School in East Flat Rock and now spends his time in the plant nursery business.
Attorney Carolina Trautman of member firm Anderson Jones has been recognized as a 2014 “Rising Star” attorney by Super Lawyers magazine. Trautman was selected from among only 2.5 percent of North Carolina attorneys listed as finalists.
Freddie McMahan says his new Remington 870 18 shotgun is “a very nice piece of equipment.” Fred-die was one of twelve who won guns in the Central Piedmont Chapter’s fundraising gun raffle held at the April convention. Among the Tucker-Kirby folks, they took home three.
Both of Doug & Holly Burton’s sons (Whitman Masonry) are on the varsity football squad at Vir-ginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Virginia. Doug Jr. is a wide receiver and “walk-on” John is a
Dates to Note6/12/14 Central Piedmont Chapter Annual Golf
Tournament, Lexington County Club - Lexington6/19/14 Mod 2 “Basics of Masonry Materials”
Certification Class, McGee Brothers – Greensboro7/29-8/1/14 National Concrete Masonry Assoc
midyear meeting, Canyons Resort – Park City, UT7/13 -7/16/14 CCMA Summer Meeting, Wild
Dunes Resort – Isle of Palms, SC8/28/14 Mod 4 “Structural Engineering…”
Certification Class, McGee Brothers - Greensboro9/3/14 Board of Directors Meeting -TBA9/10/14 Metrolina Chapter Golf Tournament,
Mooresville Municipal Golf Course – Mooresville9/10-9/12/14 MCAA Mid-Year Meeting - Mil-
waukee9/25/14 Annual NCMCA State Golf Tourna-
ment, Mill Creek Golf & Country Club – Mebane9/29/14 Mod 5 “Mastering Details...” Certifica-
tion Class, McGee Bothers - Greensboro1/16-1/18/15 Raleigh Chapter Murdell Golf
Tournament, The Grand Strand4/15-4/19/15 NCMCA Annual Convention,
Kingston Plantation – Myrtle Beach4/21-4/24/15 NC SkillsUSA Conference (ma-
sonry contest,) Coliseum – Greensboro5/16/15 NCMCA Annual Masonry Apprentice
Skills Contest, Custom Brick & Supply - Raleigh
national SkillUSA masonry champion (1993.) His parents are Roger and Margaret Furr and he has a sister that is a Junior at Mt. Pleasant High School. Daniel, entering his sophomore year at North Caro-lina State University, is studying engineering. He has competed in various masonry contests. His previous wins: the 2011 NC SkillsUSA Masonry One contest, the 2012 NC Department of Labor pre-apprentice contest, the 2012 Cabarrus County Building Indus-try Contest, and he placed second in the 2013 NC SkillsUSA Secondary Masonry Contest.
Instructor Shaver says of Furr, “Daniel is an ex-traordinary young man. He has worked for Johnson Concrete Company the last two summers and has earned an internship with Carolina Stalite this summer. Daniel’s ability to lay brick, coupled with his academic talent, has provided a career pathway, which without taking masonry in high school, he would have never found. Daniel’s plans are to gradu-ate from N.C. State and enter the Materials Science Engineering field. Daniel is a highly focused student and, when he sets his mind to it, watch out. It has been a pleasure to teach Daniel and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this young man.”
As the contest winner, Daniel Furr was presented the “David R. Sigmon Award” for top score, $600 in cash and a wheelbarrow full of tools.
Contestants, volunteers and spectators enjoyed perfect weather and lots of great food by the lake at Carolina Stalite’s Ben Ketchie community park. Families and other spectators were entertained with live music by NCMCA member Donnie Howard+, children’s games, a fishing tournament and tours of the world’s largest lightweight aggregate plant.
Contest Chairman Bob Gates commended all the contestants for their hard work and for a collective set of scores somewhat higher than average. He thanked Head Judge Kent Huntley and the contest committee for their diligence in making the 2014 contest one of the best ever. On behalf of the commit-tee and the Association membership, Gates expressed appreciation to host Johnson Concrete Company and all the firms that contributed to the event.
NCMCA members provided approximately $9,000 worth of tools and cash, which was divided among all the contestants. Members also donated equipment, labor and materials.
Our appreciation to the following firms:Sponsoring Host: Johnson Concrete CompanyCo-Hosts: Carolina Stalite, Metrolina ChapterMaterials: Johnson Concrete Company, Pine Hall
Brick Company, The Quikrete CompaniesMeal/Refreshments: Johnson ConcreteFinancial Sponsors:$1,500: Gates Construction Company$500: Adams, an Oldcastle company, Fay Block
Materials, Huntley Brothers Company, McGee Brothers Company, Metrolina Chapter, Old North State Masonry
“Contest” continued from page one $300: Holcim (US), Kirby Construction Services$250: BIA-Southeast Region, Central Piedmont
Chapter, Eastern Carolina Chapter, Raleigh Chapter, Sandhills Chapter, Simmons Masonry, Triad Chapter, Tucker-Kirby Company, Western Carolina Chapter, White Cap Construction Supply
$200: Aztec Construction Services, Jim Bricksit, Masonry Unlimited of Cherryville, Pine Hall Brick
$150: Beam Construction Co., CityLink Construc-tion, Masonry Management, Motsinger Precast
$100: Brodie Contractors, Inc., Custom Brick & Supply Company, Joyner Masonry Works, Koontz Masonry, LPS Enterprises, Inc., Master Masonry, P & D Precast, Pinnacle Masonry, Poyner Spruill LLP, Pyramid Masonry Contractors, Roanoke Cement, Statesville Brick Company, Whitman Masonry
$45: C & R MasonryEquipment: Carolina Stalite, Gates Construction
Company, Johnson Concrete Company, McGee Broth-ers Company, Huntley Brothers Company
Tool Donation: Marshalltown Company, New South Construction Supply, Triad Rental & Supply
Contest Committee: Bob Gates, Chairman, Kent Huntley, Head Judge, Leland Eckard, Senior Commit-tee Member, Starling Johnson, Dink Mitchell, Jody Wall, Chris Bruner, Doc McGee, Sabrina Beck, Ryan Shaver, Cliff McGee, Tracy Kiser, Terry Ward, Carson Greif, Gene Graham, Greg Huntley, and Lynn Nash
The 2015 contest is set for May 16th at Custom Brick & Supply Company in Raleigh.
N
Page 10 NC Masonry News June 2014
See more pictures from NCMCA events and
activities linked at the NCMCA.com News page
This Issue Sponsored by
“President” continued from page two
School and received her degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Although she studied a different field, Moore said she always wanted to work for the family business. She started her career while still in college managing several other businesses operated by her family before com-ing to work full time at Koontz Masonry.
Soon afterward she was named secretary/trea-surer of the Central Piedmont Mason Contractors Association, a regional chapter of the state organiza-tion. She served for 10 years in a leadership capacity for the chapter, including as president before being named secretary/treasurer for the state association.
After serving a two-year term as secretary and one term as president-elect, Moore was named as presi-dent of the North Carolina group. Her grandfather, Belton Koontz, was instrumental in creating this organization and was president from 1976 to 1979. Her father, Freddy Koontz, was president from 1998 to 2000. Moore said her grandfather helped start the N.C. Masonry Contractors Association to unite people who work in the industry
“It is all for the promotion of masonry,” Moore said. “It brought everyone together to have a stron-ger voice.”
In her capacity as president, Moore will help bring issues important to masonry workers to leaders in Raleigh and Washington, D.C. She said it is impor-tant to remind them how their decisions impact
State Champions! Winners of the April NC SkillsUSA Masonry Contest at the Greensboro Coliseum are pictured left to right: Instructor Ronnie Wood and Blake Hodge of South Rowan High School, who won the secondary (high school) division; and Daniel Furr with instructor Ryan Shaver of Mount Pleasant High School, who won the post-secondary division. The four will participant in the National SkillsUSA Championships this summer. This marks the second year in a row that South Rowan has won the high school championship. South Rowan also claimed second place with a top score by Juan Saucedo. Instruc-tor Ronnie Miller says, “It was a surprise when Blake won because he was my junior and Juan was my senior. I always put a little more time in my seniors because it is their last year to compete. I told Juan after the last project they built in shop that he had one person to really worry about beating and it was Blake. But to get “first” and “second” my last year of teaching was a great honor. “ Finishing third through fifth respectively;Brent McClellan of Mount Pleasant High School; Thomas Beane of South Caldwell High School; and Casey Leatherman of Fred T. Foard High School. Hayden Cline of Fred T. Foard High School won the Estimating Contest and Noah Shaver of Mount Pleasant High School won the Masonry One competition.
quarterback. Unfortunately, John was sacked and broke his collarbone in the Annual Spring Game, which was played on Saturday during the NCMCA convention in April. He should be ready to play by the fall season. VMI is a family tradition for the Burtons. Both Doug (Sr.) and his brothers Jeb and Danks (Pinnacle Masonry) attended, along with multiple generations of the family before and since.
Four NCMCA masonry contractor members were recognized at Adams, an Oldcastle company’s April Masonry Expo in Cary. They are Calvin Brodie, Brodie Contractors, recognized for “Wallace Creek, Phase II,” Camp Lejeune; Bob Gates, Gates Construc-tion Company for “Hoke County Hospital,” Raeford; Gary Joyner, Joyner Masonry Works for “Sandy Grove Middle School,” Lumber Bridge; and Bo Black, Carolina Masonry Unlimited for “Leith Jaguar,” Cary.
President Ashlee and Brent Moore were recently featured in a local newspaper article about the couple’s efforts on behalf of orphans, foster care and adoption issues. Along with another local couple, the Moores have created a new organization called iamJ3, (www.iamj3.org) with the initiative to assist others in the community through three avenues: adoption, foster and orphan care.
June will see the retirement of two well-known NCMCA members. Larry Gibbes is retiring from Argos Cement and Walt Cranford is retiring from Statesville Brick Company. Celebrations are planned for both.
local businesses.“I go to places like Washington to talk about
masonry to the leaders and to get them to support us,” Moore said. “There are many issues that have long-lasting impacts. Some of these laws that are getting passed are counterproductive, and we need to make sure there is a balance. Masonry is art, and we want more beautiful buildings that last.”
Moore said although she works in a field that is dominated by males, she has overcome many issues through the strong personal connections she has with many people in the industry.
“I met all of these people over the years, and it’s just like an extended family,” Moore said. “So many people stay in their industry for generations. Many masonry contractor companies are family owned, and we have a lot of the associate members who are close to all of us.”
She said she is excited to be starting a new chapter in her leadership role, and although similarities are bound to be drawn between her and her grandfather and father, she doesn’t see it as a problem.
“It is challenging because I have a lot to live up to,” Moore said. “I’m watched a little closer because I’m a female in a male-dominated industry, but they tell me all the time that I am just like my dad and granddad. It doesn’t bother me; I take it as a compliment, and I’m proud to be continuing our family legacy.”
(Reprinted with permission - http://www.the-dispatch.com)