This issue sponsored by

The Newsletter of The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association June 2015

Vol. 41 No. 2

See Page Three

In this Issue:

Winner at Raleigh Lane Mullis of McGee Brothers Company in Monroe is the Champion of the 2015 Annual NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest. He claimed the “David R. Sigmon” award May 16th at Custom Brick & Supply Company in Raleigh.

24 Compete at Raleigh Lane Mullis is having a good run as a McGee Brothers Company apprentice. Mullis won the 2014 NC Department of Commerce State Fair Masonry Contest in October, placed third in the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) International Skills Competition at the World of Masonry in February, and now has won the David R. Sigmon Memorial Award for top score at the Annual NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest. Twenty-four apprentices from six NCMCA member firms participated in the Raleigh May 16th contest hosted by Custom Brick & Supply Company and the Raleigh Chapter of NCMCA. Rounding out the top-ten were Grayson McGee, McGee Brothers Co, 2nd place; Andrew Mullis, Huntley Brothers Co, 3rd place; Luis Marquez, Huntley Brothers Co, 4th place, (who incidentally, also finished in fourth place in the 2014 Gold Hill contest); Jordan Furr, McGee Brothers Co, 5th place; Kaleb McGee, McGee Brothers Co, 6th place; Jose

Luis Garcia, Gates Construction, 7th place; Michael Farmer, Huntley Brothers Co, 8th place; Joseph Copple, McGee Brothers Co, 9th place; and Brett McGee, McGee Brothers Co, 10th place. Top-ten scores ranged from 965 to 900 points out of a possible 1,000. 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.” As the contest winner, Mullis was presented the “David R. Sigmon Award” for top score, $600 in cash and a wheelbarrow full of tools. New Champion Lane Mullis is the son of Harvey and Tanya Mullis of Monroe and the grandson of Mike and Dianne McGee. His foreman at McGee Brothers is Mark McGee. He is the nephew of Guinness Book of Records’ World Record Bricklayer see “Contest” continued page nine

Message from the President Page 2 Sponsor’s Page Page 3 Springtime is Contest Time Page 4 MQI in June Page 5 ASU Design Competition Page 5 Thanks Convention Sponsors Page 5 Brooks Recognized Page 5 Annual Meeting Report Page 6 SCMCA Underway Page 7 Member News Page 8 SkillsUSA Contest Planned Page 9 Second Annual Safety Awards Page 9 NC SkillsUSA Contest Page 10 Dates to Note Page 10

NCMCA.com MasonrySystems.org

Page 2 NC Masonry News June 2015

Sign of a Professional www.ncmca.com

Ashlee K. Moore, CMP, President Koontz Masonry, Lexington NC

Robert Gates, CME, President-Elect

Gates Construction Company, Mooresville, NC

Kent Huntley, CME, Secretary Treasurer Huntley Brothers Company, Monroe, NC

Gary Joyner, CME, Chairman

Joyner 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

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 2015

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

Newly Certified NCMCA President Ashlee K. Moore joins NCMCA Certification Program Board of Governors Chairman Doug Burton (right) in presenting Mike Radosa the certificate for Boettcher Masonry’s company certification in the NCMCA program. Boettcher Masonry is also certified in the Mason Contractor Association of America (MCAA) certification program. The presentation was made April 18th at the Annual Business Meeting.

A Word from the President

Another successful convention in April! Thanks to everyone who participated, especially the record number of sponsors. The convention is such an important part of this Association. Get the most from your NCMCA membership. Plan now to join us at The Omni Homestead Resort next April for the 2016 convention. Saturday, May 16th, was a beautiful day for our annual Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest. Congratulations to this year’s winner Lane Mullis of McGee Brothers Company and to all of our contestants. Special thanks to our host Custom Brick and Supply Company and the Raleigh Chapter for a memorable event.

I hope everyone will consider putting a team in my local chapter, CPMCA, golf tournament. The Danny Koonts Memorial Golf Tournament is coming up on Thursday, June 4th. We will have a 1:00 pm shotgun start at the Lexington Golf Club in Lexington. Please email Nick Ferrucci at [email protected] or Brent Moore at [email protected] if you would like to play. We promise you will have a good time and we will provide everyone a delicious BBQ chicken dinner after the tournament. Happy June! - Ashlee K. Moore, CMP President

Preparing for Brazil Daniel Furr (left) and his masonry instructor, Ryan Shaver joined in the April NC SkillsUSA Masonry Competition at Greensboro as practice for Daniel’s upcoming August International Skills Competition representing the United States in Brazil. In previous contests, the USA Masonry team has never placed in the international competition. Daniel’s coach for the international competition is Central Cabarrus High School masonry instructor Todd Hartsell, who was named coach for the USA masonry team earlier this year. An engineering student at NC State University, Daniel has been interning at Carolina Stalite and did apprentice work with Koontz Masonry last summer. In about a year’s time, he won the 2014 NCMCA Skills Contest, the National SkillsUSA Post-Secondary Masonry Championship, and the MCAA International Skills Contest, Secondyear Division. To aid in practicing for the contest, Taylor Clay Products has produced special-sized brick to match the materials Daniel will encounter in the international competition.

June 2015 NC Masonry News Page 3

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Butch Hardy Contest For the thirty-fourth year, Adams, an Oldcastle company, held it’s Annual Masonry Skills Contest for students attending high schools in eastern North Carolina. Samuel LaRue of Swansboro High School achieved top-score for the May 2015 contest. Rounding out the top-five scorers respectively were Zachary Stroud, Swansboro High School; Timoteo Solana, Columbus Career & College Academy; Nattaly Razo, Columbus Career and College Academy; and Zack Rivenbark, Pender High School. Swansboro High School, instructed by Daniel Bright, himself a previous winner of the contest, won first place for combined team score. Christopher Pierce of Pender High won the First Year Division. In the photo, below right, Women’s Division winner Nattaly Razo exchanges “highfives” with over-all first-first place finisher Samuel LaRue as Zachary Stroud looks on. The competition is named The H. A. “Butch” Hardy Memorial Masonry Contest in memory of the contest founder. The event was held in Goldsboro.

Spring is Contest Time!

March Mountain Contest The Land of the Sky Chapter held their annual high school masonry contest for students in western North Carolina. Twenty-one students participated from five schools. Robert Cox, a senior at McDowell High School (pictured) claimed First Place; Second Place was Michael Najera, Brevard High School followed by Third Place finisher Stephen Emshiemer, Tuscola High School; Fourth Place finisher Branson McClure, McDowell High School; and Fifth Place finisher Bradley Collins, Brevard High School. Jones Heinz of Tuscola High School finished first in the “Masonry One” division. Merchants and contractors in the Land of the Sky chapter area provided materials, cash and tools as prizes for the contest. Adams/Oldcastle provided a hotdog and hamburger lunch at the event held at Blue Ridge Community College in Hendersonville. Cabarrus Contest 2014 NC SkillsUSA State Masonry Champion Blake Hodge (photo left, on right) of South Rowan High School, instructed by Brian Woodie, has won the Annual Cabarrus County Building Industry Association’s (CCBIA) Pre-SkillsUSA Masonry Competition May 11th at Lowes Home Improvement in Concord. Finishing second was Cody Harrison, Mount Pleasant High School, followed respectively by Luke Dutton, West Rowan High School, who went on to win the NC SkillsUSA State Masonry Contest April 22 in Greensboro; fourth place, Jake Tetrow, Jay M Robinson High school; and fifth place, Kelby Thornton, Central Cabarrus High School. Twenty-four students participated in masonry and carpentry competitions. Photo by Tonya Ward, DP Contracting

Lenoir Contest The three high schools in Caldwell County held their Fourth Annual Masonry Competition in May. Thirty students from Hibriten High, South Caldwell High and West Caldwell High competed for tools and cash prizes donated by local merchants and contractors. Lowes Home Improvement in Lenoir and the Caldwell County Home Builders Association hosted the contest. More than $4,700 was raised locally for contest prizes and expense. Senior Thomas Beane (pictured right) of South Caldwell High finished in First Place; second place finisher was Aaron Trivette of Hibriten High; and third place finisher was Gary Green of Hibriten High. Hibriten High School claimed the prize for highest cumulative team score. Members of the NCMCA Western Carolina Chapter were among the judges for the contest.

June 2015 NC Masonry News Page 5

MQI in NC The final classes of the 2014-2015 certification class series will be presented in June. NCMCA will again bring Mike Callahan to Greensboro on Wednesday June 10 and Thursday June 11, 2015 to present Masonry Quality Institute. MQI (or NCMCA’s old Modules 9 and 10) are required to earn NCMCA “Certified Masonry Executive” (CME) status. CME, in turn, is required of owners and principles to earn company certification. For those who have not previously taken the two-day course, MQI is acceptable for meeting bi-annual continuing education requirements. It is important that anyone seeking CME status now or in the future participate in the June MQI session. Because of limited demand versus the expense of presenting MQI, it is possible MQI will not be offered for every future series of certification classes. The next available MQI sessions may be in the distant future and/or be presented outside of North Carolina. Details: http://www.ncmca.com/ PDF/June2015MQIregistration.pdf

Thanks 2015 Convention Sponsors! Platinum

Adams, an Oldcastle company CEMEX Diamond

Brixment/Essroc Mountcastle Insurance TriSure Corporation Tucker-Kirby Company Convention Golf Tournament EZG Corporation Gold Brodie Contractors Gates Construction General Shale SPEC MIX Silver Fay Block Materials Holcim (US) Inc. Johnson Concrete Company Mutiquip New South Construction Supply Bronze Argos USA Custom Brick & Supply Company Giant Cement Joyner Masonry Works Koontz Masonry Pine Hall Brick RBD & Associates Roanoke Cement Next Year’s Convention: April 21-24, 2016, The Omni Homestead Resort Hot Springs, Virginia

Sigmon Memorial Scholarships Emily Porter, fourth from left, and Alexander Adzima (not pictured) are the winners of the Fourth Annual Appalachian State University NCMCA Sigmon Memorial Design Competition held in Boone in March. Porter and Adzima will share a semester’s tuition as their prize. Twelve teams 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, Past NCMCA President Doug Burton, Chairman of the Sigmon Design Competition, who served as judge for the completion; Thomas May, Second Place; Anthony Walke, Third Place; Porter; Brenton Fiarcloth, and Vishal Shadadpuri Aswani, Fourth Place; David Jason Miller, AIA, ASU Assistant Professor of Building Science; Miles Smith, a former ASU facility member who served as a juror for the competition. Boone architect Hunter Coffey, AIA, (not pictured) also served as a contest judge. The Sigmon Memorial Scholarship Design Competition at ASU and at NC State University is named in memory of brothers Dwyane and David Sigmon, and Dwayne’s son Randy. Convention VIPS Right, President Ashlee welcomes MCAA VIP’s to the 2015 NCMCA Convention. Left to right, MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz of Illinois, MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp, Superior Masonry Builders of Wisconsin, President Ashlee, and MCAA Secretary Paul Oldham, Oiller Masonry of Indiana.

Bill Brooks Recognized After chairing the EZ Grout NCMCA Convention Golf Tournament for twelve years, Bill Brooks (center) retired from the job after the 2014 convention and was recognized for his service at the 2015 convention banquet. New convention golf co-chairman Lee Heath (left,) joined by his co-chairs Ray Walls (not pictured,) and Dwayne Bryant (right,) pointed out that it has taken “three to replace one.” Bill retired from Triangle Brick Company after forty years of service in September, 2014. He has been married to Faye for fifty years and they have two daughters and five grandchildren.

Page 6 NC Masonry News June 2015

Annual Meeting Report The Association Annual Meeting was held April 18th in Myrtle Beach. The following is a summary . Treasurer Kent Huntley, presented a financial report. 2014 Year End: Total assets as of December 31, 2014: $ 584,236.02. As of 3/31/15: Total assets of $637,935.97, including liabilities of $61,955.09 and $533,751.85 in interest bearing accounts. 2014 Interest income $3,181.70. 2014 operating expense approximately $159.137.23. 2014 ended with a loss of $1,133.73. Pete Schantz presented a report on the Association’s health and benefits program: “The health insurance environment continues to evolve for companies large and small both nationally and in North Carolina. The 2105 individual exchange season has wrapped up with a much smoother open enrollment compared to the initial rollout in 2014. Enrollment was noticeably up year over year and was most likely caused by a much easier enrollment experience, familiarity with the products and process, a longer open enrollment period and continual reminders that penalties would be imposed for those with no coverage in 2015. “2015 Group renewals continue to be all over the board. Most of our group clients with less than 50 employees who had transitioned to ACA compliant plans in 2014 received single digit rate increases, some even flat. Other small group clients with non ACA compliant plans were faced with much higher increases –on average 22%. Our group clients with 100+ have generally received rate increases in the 10-15% range. “The general trend is once a group transitions from a non-compliant to compliant plan, they receive a sizable rate increase. But renewals thereafter are much more consistent. We have experienced this much more on the small group segment and that will filter up to larger groups as the transitions continue. “What is on the horizon for health insurance? 1) Higher out of pocket expenses for employees as employers increase deductibles and out of pocket maximums in order to contain premium costs. 2) Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Health Savings Account offerings for employees. 3) Self-funding opportunities for smaller employers who want to continue to offer plans while assuming more financial risks. 4) Tough decisions on whether to continue with group insurance or terminate in favor of individual options. “My staff and I have begun to explore alternative offerings for NCMCA groups to consider that will complement both group and individual health insurance offerings. These products include, but are not limited, to Gap, Accident, Critical Illness, Dental, Vision, Tel-a-Medicine and Voluntary Life Insurance plans. I am hopeful that we can secure favorable pricing for Association members. Most mainstream

carriers are now offering a variety of these worksite products and we are optimistic that a good fit exists for the NCMCA. We will report our findings shortly and present to the NCMCA board to determine if worth pursuing. “We currently manage benefits for 11 NCMCA Contractors/Associates and thank you for your loyalty, friendship and dedication to the NCMCA.” TriSure’s John Cramer and Heidi O’Connor reported on the Association liability and workers’ compensation program. John Cramer’s written report: “Masonry volume seems to be increasing slowly through the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2014, and after a horrible first quarter of 2015, appears to be increasing steadily. We are optimistic that payroll and revenue numbers for masonry contractors will increase throughout the remainder of 2015. “Experience Modification Factors for all our construction clients, including masonry contractors, are increasing substantially. Increases are becoming substantial for contractors with even an acceptable amount of frequency. We are still just estimating, but the average increases will be 10% to 15%, which is higher than we imagined just a few months ago. This is a combination of the new calculation increasing the split point from $5,000 to $15,000 starting two years ago and the last five years of very low payrolls and increased claims activity. “Currently, we have 25 participating members. The estimated premiums have increased to over $1.5 million. This is the first time we have seen an increase in several years. We are still seeing an impact on our premiums due an increase in OCIPS and CCIPs. These programs are pulling substantial premium away from our program especially with a much higher number of larger jobs being all Wrapup programs and not as many mainstream jobs working right now. Without those pulling from our group, we feel we would show upwards of 25 to 30%. “The market is definitely more stable and the best in class accounts might even experience slight decreases. We expect this trend to continue through the end of the year in 2015. “In 2015, we will continue to focus our masonry contractors on proper documentation of subcontractors including written contracts with specific risk transfer wording, verification that insurance is in place correctly, and that there is no one using uninsured subs. “On behalf of everyone else at TriSure, we appreciate your continued trust and business with our company.” President-Elect and Apprenticeship and Training Chairman Bob Gates reported the need for dollars and volunteers for the spring’s upcoming masonry competitions. Special accolades for Kent Huntley, along with brother Greg Huntley and Cliff McGee for their exceptional dedication to the annual NC

SkillsUSA in Greensboro with Gates commenting, “They don’t do it alone, but almost!” Gates provided details of the May 16th Annual NCMCA Apprentice Masonry Skills Contest at Custom Brick & Supply Company in Raleigh, co-hosted by the Raleigh Chapter. Gates provided details of upcoming contests: May 1st is the Annual Butch Hardy Masonry Contest in Goldsboro. May 7th is the Caldwell County High Schools Masonry Contest in Lenoir. Gates reported on the Cabarrus County Building Industry Association’s Concord masonry contest April 11th, won by Blake Hodge, the champion of the 2014 NC SkillsUSA State Masonry Contest. Gates reported Garrett Hood of Huntley Brothers Company finished in second place with 720 brick and won the craftsmanship award at the January SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 at the World of Masonry in Las Vegas. Garrett is a twotime past winner of the competition. Ed Huntley was Garrett’s tender. In the MCAA International Skills Contest at Las Vegas, NC State student Daniel Furr, Koontz Masonry, placed first in the first year division; Lane Mullis with McGee Brothers Company placed third in the second year division; and Kelton McGee with McGee Brothers Company placed first in the third year division. “These guys represented North Carolina very well and we should be proud of them.” Certification Board of Governors Chairman Doug Burton provided a report on certification. First certification class was August of 2006 and the sixth class will graduate this year. Over 503 have participated in the classes. 80 companies have participated. Sixteen projects to date have included a requirement for NCMCA masonry certification. On going efforts to promote certification to owner, architects and specification writers, as well as other masonry contractors. Doug emphasized the importance of certified bidders participating on bid day for projects that require certified masonry contractors. Doug recognized firms with employees that have recently completed their individual certification. Doug estimated the cost is about $3,000.00 for a company to put an employee through the program, counting tuition, travel expense and lost productivity. As of the meeting, 179 individuals have been certified as “Certified Masonry Professionals;” 90 principles and owners certified as “Certified Masonry Executives,” and 33 firms have earned company certification. Doug upped the total certified firms to 34 by presenting Mike Radosa with the framed certificate for Boettcher Masonry’s company certification. Executive Vice President Lynn Nash and MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz updated the meeting on Masonry Quality Institute. MQI is now required for both MCAA certification and for NCMCA “Certified Masonry Executive” (CME) personal certification. NCMCA will present the two-day MQI June 10-11, 2015 at McGee Brothers Company in Greensboro. Nash warned that anyone considering CME now or in the future should take MQI in June. Because of expense and lack of demand, “The next MQI class

June 2015 NC Masonry News Page 7

may be in the distant future and/or presented outside occurrences. sors. Another major change and to make it easier of the Carolinas.” Jeff gave an update on the revision 2015 convention statistics: 159 total individuals, for our patrons, we started accepting Credit/Debit of MQI to make it more specific to masonry, written including 16 masonry contracting firms. Nash Cards. I highly recommend it to all Chapters. Setup and presented by successful masonry contractors said he expects the event to clear about $21,000 is simple and I have had only positive feedback. I from around the country. Should be less expensive. for 2015 with a record contribution from sponsors would like to thank the Metrolina Chapter Officers; Expect it to be done within the next year, but for now, at $29,000.00. Tracy Kiser (VP), Carson Grief (Secretary), and Justin MCAA will accept the program presented by NCMCA The 2016 convention will be at The Homestead in Bamonte (Treasurer) for helping to make the start in June for their certification program. Hot Springs, VA. Probably a coastal venue for 2017, of 2015 a success. Finally, I look forward to working Nash took the opportunity to again thank McGee possibly back at Kingston Plantation. with / getting to know more of you within the NCMCA Brothers Company for the use of their in 2015 as well as helping to promote Greensboro facility for all recent the Masonry Industry. Thank you.” certification classes. Triad Chapter – Reported by Doug Burton provided an update President Randall Cox: “The Triad of the Sigmon Memorial Scholarship Chapter meets on the first Wednesday program at NC State (14 years) and of the month. We continue to meet at now at Appalachian State University “Maria’s Cafe”, in Burlington across (4 years.) “The program has reached from the Mall. We have a social at over a thousand architects.” 6:15 with Dinner at 7:00 p.m. Our Safety Committee Chairman John account balance is $2,580.00. Our Cramer reported, “On March 23, chapter is looking forward to helping 2015, there was a horrific scaffoldwith the April “Skill’s USA” Masonry ing accident in Raleigh resulting in Contest. Have a great Convention!” 3 deaths and one serious injury. SCMCA Underway NCMCA President-Elect Bob Gates (second from right) joined Chapter secretary Gene King added Details have still not been fully MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz (second from left) and MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp the chapter struggles with memberdisclosed but this was a single mast (right) as key-note speakers at the newly formed South Carolina Masonry Contractors ship and meeting attendance. He climbing scaffolding involved with Association’s Inaugural Annual Conference May 22 in Greenville, South Carolina. noted and appreciated new Metrolina the accident. I can assure every- Left is SCMCA Charter President Abner Hazen. Bob gave a history of NCMCA’s evolu- Chapter President Brandon Hartsell’s one in the NCMCA that if you are tion and encouraged the South Carolina folks in their new endeavor. Holcim’s Bill enthusiasm. erecting, dismantling, or working Behie was awarded “Life Membership” at the Greenville meeting as he prepares for Western Carolina Chapter Report on scaffolding in the state of North his June 13th retirement after 43 years with the company. – Reported President Wayne Starr: Carolina, Compliance Officers will be visiting your In his central office report, Nash reported mem- “The Western Carolina Chapter meets on the second job frequently. Make absolutely sure your Compe- bership stands at 135 member companies, the lowest Tuesday of the month at the Dos Amigos restaurant. tent Person training is up to date and documented. it has ever been. At one time there were 233 member We average 7 to 9 members in attendance. Our Make sure you have written documentation of firms. Of the 135, sixty-six are masonry contractors. current treasury balance is $8,971.00. We invite inspections of your scaffolding every day and after He put in a plug for recruitment, especially masonry everyone to attend our meetings and enjoy great moving or set up. Have your scaffold all clearly contracting firms. fellowship and possibly learn some important infortagged for use or service and signed off daily. Most Western Regional Vice President Don Caldwell mation about masonry and the industry in general.” of all, make sure all ladders, bracing, mud sills, reported on the Annual Land of the Sky High School Larry Kirby added comments about the success of footings, base plates, railings, access points and fall Contest March 27th at Blue Ridge Community Col- their January Winter Social when they recognized zones are perfect on every job, every day. lege in Hendersonville. Five schools and twenty-two several folks for past contributions with the Chapter’s “OSHA is continuing to have a Silica emphasis contestants participated. “Really encouraged by Founders Award. “Well attended.” Kirby presented program. If anyone in the group is tested, please the quality of the projects which is a hats-off to the President Ashlee Moore with the chapter’s 2015 forward the results to me so that I can continue to masonry instructors.” Land of the Sky still meets $3,000 pledge check. compile the results, confidentially, and we can use the third Tuesday of the month in Fletcher. Raleigh Chapter – Reported by Chapter Secretary this data to use as a base-line that will benefit the Chapter Reports: Donnie Howard: “The Raleigh Chapter of NCMCA entire Association going forward. OSHA continues Metrolina Chapter Report – Reporting President is thriving. Meeting attendance for 2014 averaged to receive pressure to increase the number of in- Brandon Hartsell: “The Metrolina Chapter has expe- more than 30 people per meeting. Attendance for spections and Serious Violations they are charging rienced some vast changes since our previous Board 2015 thus far has improved to nearly 40 per meeting. against employers. We encourage all our masons to Meeting. We have moved our meeting location to The At the January meeting, the chapter voted to adopt call us immediately if they have an inspection with Hickory Tavern at Harris Boulevard and I-77 (2nd an 8 meeting per year format for 2015, cutting two violations to discuss their rights and alternatives. Tuesday of the Month, Hickory Tavern; 9010 Harris meetings from the schedule. Notable programs over “Effective January 1, all Contractors will now be Corners, Charlotte) We had 45 people on hand in the past year have included “Automation for the required to notify OSHA within eight hours if there February and 38 in March. Greg Huntley was our Masonry Industry”, “Flashing Compatibility, Susis a work related fatality on the job and within 24 February speaker. Adams Products provided a BIM tainability, and Performance”, “Building the Great hours when an employee suffers a work-related presentation in March. We have set our Chapter up to Cathedrals”, and “President Obama’s New Immigrahospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye. Prior obtain (1) Meeting Sponsor and (1) Bar Sponsor per tion Programs for Undocumented Immigrants: Who to this, the rule stated that an employer was required meeting. Each Sponsor will have a 24”x36” framed Qualifies For a Work Permit?” Our annual Myrtle to notify work related fatalities and in-patient hos- poster with their respective logo and other pertinent Beach Golf Tournament had record attendance of 59 pitalizations of three or more employees. Employers information. To date, we currently have (6) meeting participants and raised $9,358 for the chapter. Our should call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) to report these sponsors, (7) speakers lined up, and (4) bar spon- current treasury balance is $21,557.23. The Raleigh

Page 8 NC Masonry News June 2015

Chapter will be presenting a pledge of $3,000 at the Annual Meeting.” 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. Mr. Brodie presented President Ashlee with the chapter 2015 $3,000 pledge noting the 2015 contribution makes the total Raleigh contribution $73,500 since 1997. Central Piedmont Chapter – Reported by Chapter Secretary Brent Moore, “The Central Piedmont has had a decrease in members over the last several months for different reasons BUT we are trying to recruit new members! We continue to meet on the 2nd Monday of each month at River Ridge Taphouse, 1480 River Ridge Dr., Clemmons. This month’s speaker is Gigi Gardener with Gardner Law firm out of Raleigh. Her presentation is “President Obama’s New Immigration Programs for Undocumented Immigrants: Who qualifies for a work permit?” The reasons for the change in immigration policy, what the changes are, who qualifies for a work permit under the new policy, and what those folks need to do. Our presentation for our May meeting will be the current MCAA “Skills Challenge” first year winner Daniel Furr! He and his instructor Ryan Shaver will be sharing with us about their winning trip to Las Vegas and what his plans are for the summer! (Hint: it has something to do with Brazil and the International World Skills Competition). We are looking forward to Daniel sharing with us! The Danny Koonts Memorial is June 4th at the Lexington. Country Club. This is always a great time and nice fundraiser for us! 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, David Troutman (VP), and Nick Ferrucci (Treas). 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. Thank you.” Chapter Treasurer Nick Ferrucci presented President Ashlee the chapter’s 2015 $3,000 pledge check. Eastern Carolina Chapter – Chapter President Tim Manning promised the chapter’s annual pledge is forthcoming but informed everyone that his chapter will not continue to compete with the Raleigh Chapter for most dollars contributed. He did however note that the Eastern Carolina Chapter, like the Raleigh Chapter, has exceeded the requested contribution from each chapter, despite the relatively few members in the Eastern Carolina Chapter. Three members of the Certification Program Board of Governors have terms that expire April 30, 2015. Nominations for Governors to serve new terms were tabled. Safety Committee Chairman John Cramer announced the Second Annual NCMCA Safety Awards. Gates Construction Company and LPS Enterprises both received awards for the second year in a row.

Koontz Masonry was also recognized with a 2014 Safety Award. Award criteria is based on comparing actual 2014 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 company’s safety program. Southeast Concrete Masonry Association Chairman Gary Hensley gave an update on SCMA activities. To reflect the expansion of the association, the name has been changed from the Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association to Southeast Concrete Masonry Association. Efforts to increase the CMU market with presentations by four engineers retained by SCMA presenting a program called “Understanding Masonry,” have produced results. On projects that could be tracked, in the last year SCMA has put 3.5 million CMU’s back into walls that had been valueengineered out. SCMA seeks out engineers and architects that have tended to eliminate masonry. Hensley and Nash recognized the important partnership between NCMCA and SCMA in jointly promoting masonry and masonry contractor certification with the “Understanding Masonry” programs. Nash said the presentations with SCMA have been the most effective means for promoting NCMCA certification. MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz and MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp provided an update on national masonry concerns. Also recognized for his NCMCA convention attendance was MCAA Secretary Paul Oldham. Contractors across the country are optimistic with work increasing, prices rising, and apprenticeship programs revitalized. MCAA is optimistic the CMU Check-off program will be approved in the new congress. Successful efforts made to consolidate research, educational, promotional and codes and standards work with masonry unions and other masonry industry groups. BIM-Masonry continues to progress. Funding progress is being made to meet a goal of 2.5 million dollars in the Masonry Foundation endowment by October and the MCAA Mid-Year Meeting in Key West. The goal is a five million dollar endowment within five years. Chairman Kemp recognized NCMCA Chairman Gary Joyner, an MCAA Regional Vice President, for his successful efforts to raise money for the endowment. “He has really taken North Carolina to the lead in this effort.” Kemp promoted the Annual Washington Masonry Industry Legislative Fly-In. Participation is encouraged as individuals voice concerns to Congress about silica regulations, tax reform, pension reform, and other industry issues. The Mid-Year Meeting is in Key West September 30 to October 4th, and will possibly include a trip to Cuba. Efforts made between unions and MCAA to recognize each other’s certification programs “so as not to confuse our customers.” President Ashlee set Wednesday September 9, 2015 in Greensboro for the next meeting.

Member News Essroc/Brixment has launched i.check, a mobile application providing photos of common issues in concrete and masonry applications. Essroc developed the i.check app to provide a resource to identify and improve basic defects. The i.check application is free and can be downloaded from the Apple Store, Google Play and the Windows App Store by searching for “Essroc.” Margaret “Cissy” Eckard, widow of Jerry Eckard of Master Masonry, Hickory died March 22nd after an extended illness. She was 66 and lived in Newton. Quikrete has developed a free application for homeowners and builders. Among other features, the application includes “how-to” videos, technical data, a quantity calculator, and a link to technical services: http://www.quikrete.com/app/ NCMCA Life Member James Lenton McCarson passed away Wednesday, April 8th at his residence after a lengthy illness. He was a long-time active member of the Land of the Sky Chapter and served as chapter president several times. James was 76 and lived Janes McCarson in Hendersonville. The family suggests memorials be made to Care Partners Hospice, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville NC 28801. In September, Jimmy Wall, who is sort of retired from Adams/Oldcastle in Raleigh, won Gold Medals in the 100 meter and 200 meter events at the Wake County Senior Games for 55 and over. Jimmy is 71! (I saw the video. These guys are REALLY running!) Former VICA/SkillsUSA national high school masonry champion and now Mount Pleasant High School Masonry Instructor Ryan Shaver has been selected “Mount Pleasant High School Teacher of the Ryan Shaver Year” by his peers at the school. Of the 38 schools in the county, he made the list of the top-five finalist for Cabarrus County Teacher-of-the-Year. In May, Brad Johnson, Statesville Brick, and his wife Lauren lost their eight-month old daughter, Avery. Memorials are suggested for the Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem, 419 S. Hawthorne Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to the Because We Care Program, c/o Brenner Children’s Hospital, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157. Pete Schantz and Mountcastle Insurance celebrated their firm’s 125th Anniversary May 14th. That’s a long time!

June 2015 NC Masonry News Page 9

Member News, continued Just getting started by comparison, Whitman Masonry celebrates it Fiftieth Anniversary in 2015. Winners of the April 18th EZ Grout NCMCA Convention Golf Tournament: Dolby Chapman, Danny Batten, John Cramer and Gary Joyner. Retired Mount Pleasant High School masonry instructor Doug Drye lost his sister May 11th after an extended illness. Brenda Kay Drye Bost was 62 and lived in Concord. In May, Bob Gates, Imani Brodie, Byard Stevens and Gary Joyner were in Washington for the Masonry Industry Legislative Fly-In along with other members of MCAA. The North Carolina contingent met with Senator Tom Tillis and other representatives about issues such as the Check-Off Program, silica regulations, and pension reform. Gary and Bob both reported the sessions were useful and well received. This spring, Gates Construction Company, along with Darren Hartsell’s masonry class at the school, finished the interior masonry work on a new field house at Jay M. Robinson High School in Cabarrus County. Adams/Oldcastle, Johnson Concrete Company, Giant Cement and Tucker-Kirby Company also participated. Chris Bruner expressed appreciation to everyone who helped make sure the project is ready for the coming football season. Company and news of individuals is welcomed for publication: [email protected]

“Contest” continued from page one Travis McGee. He has two sisters and one brother. In addition to laying brick, Lane enjoys deer hunting, softball, and “his truck.” He is “Head Cook” weekends at the family’s “Mac’s Restaurant” in Monroe, where he has worked part time for his grandfather, Mike McGee, since he was fifteen. Lane, who will be nineteen on June 10th, competed in the last two Annual NCMCA Apprentice Masonry Skills Contests, finishing “tenth” in May 2014. His win in Raleigh earns him the opportunity to represent NCMCA at the 2016 MCAA International Skills Competition at the World of Masonry/World of Concrete in Las Vegas. Lane told his mom, Tanya, that he sweated more during the judging then when he was building the wall, saying he can’t wait to go and watch next year’s contest when the pressure won’t be on him. Lane commented that he likes the way the North Carolina contests are done because everyone is recognized and wins something for their efforts. Lane’s dad, Harvey, says Lane was disappointed to finish in tenth place at the 2014 contest. “He told his mom right afterwards he wouldn’t compete in another contest. I had to talk him into going back in the fall to the State Fair Contest where he won and qualified to go to the (World of Masonry/MCAA contest.) I remind him now that if he had given up after one tenth-place finish, quitting would have

Be Safe! NCMCA Annual Safety Awards for 2014 were presented at the April 2015 NCMCA Annual Business Meeting in Myrtle Beach. Left to right, Ashlee Koontz Moore receives the Safety Award plaque on behalf of Koontz Masonry in Lexington from TriSure Corporation’s John Cramer, chairman of the NCMCA Safety Committee. Mike Cook, company safety director, accepts the award from Mr. Cramer on behalf of Gates Construction Company in Mooresville. LPS Enterprises of Spring Hope, not represented at the meeting, also earned a 2014 NCMCA Safety Award. This is the second consecutive year for Gates Construction Company and LPS Enterprises to win NCMCA safety recognition. Award criteria is based on comparing actual 2014 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 company’s safety program. 2015 will mark the third year for the NCMCA Safety Awards with winners to be recognized at the April 2016 convention in Hot Springs, Virginia.

cost him two first-place wins and two trips to the Las Vegas contest.” Contest Chairman and NCMCA President-Elect and Contest Head-Judge Kent Huntley had high praise for Custom Brick & Supply Company and the Raleigh 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. Contributors include: Hosts - Custom Brick & Supply and the NCMCA Raleigh Chapter. Materials - Custom Brick & Supply, Johnson Concrete Company, Lee Brick, The Quikrete Companies Meal & Refreshments - Argos USA, Custom Brick & Supply, Holcim (US), Johnson Concrete Company Financial Sponsors: $2000 - Gates Construction Company $1000 - Raleigh Chapter $500 - Adams, an Oldcastle company, Fay Block Materials, Huntley Brothers Company, McGee Brothers Company, Metrolina Chapter, Old North State Masonry $350 - Simmons Masonry $300 - Jim Bricksit, Kirby Construction Services, New South Construction Supply $250 - Central Piedmont Chapter, Eastern Carolina Chapter, Holcim (US), Manning Masonry, Master Masonry, Sandhills Chapter, Triad Chapter, Western Carolina Chapter $200 - Beam Construction Co., Masonry Unlimited of Cherryville, Pine Hall Brick, Tucker-Kirby Company $150 - Carolina Masonry Unlimited, CityLink Construction, Motsinger Precast Products $100 - Brodie Contractors, Inc., Gaston Rentals, Joyner Masonry Works, Koontz Masonry, Lanier & Associates, LPS Enterprises, Inc., Lutz Masonry, P & D Precast, Pinnacle Masonry, Poyner Spruill LLP, Pyramid Masonry Contractors, Reddrick Masonry, Roanoke Cement, Statesville Brick Company, Triangle Brick, White Cap Construction Supply, Whitman Masonry Tool Donation - Marshalltown Company, The Quikrete Companies , Triad Rental & Supply Equipment - Ahern Rentals, CityLink Construction, Custom Brick & Supply, Brodie Contractors, Huntley Brothers Company, Pinnacle Masonry The Singing Cement Man, Donnie Howard, entertained spectators and guests. 2015 Contest Committee: Bob Gates, Chairman; Kent Huntley, Head Judge; Leland Eckard, Senior Committee Member; Grant Fisher, Ray Walls, Courtney Cannon, Donnie Howard, Ron Williams, Kevin Hunter, Danks Burton, Doug Burton, Calvin Brodie, and Sabrina Beck. The 2016 contest returns to Carolina Stalite’s Ben Ketchie Park in Gold Hill Saturday May 21st hosted by Johnson Concrete Company.

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Convention Presenters C.E. Moser, second from left, makes a point to 2015 NCMCA Convention speakers John Hood (left) and Eddie Belk (forth from left) as Matt Mara (third from left) and Gary Hensley (partially hidden) look on. Mr. Belk of Belk Architecture in Durham, a firm that specializes in preservation and revitalization, presented the program “Transformation – New Uses for Old Places.” Mr. Hood of the John William Pope Foundation in Raleigh presented “The State Economy: A Glass Half-Empty or Half-Full?” Adams, an Oldcastle company, sponsored the speakers’ session.

Dates to Note 6/4/15 Central Piedmont Chapter Danny Koonts Memorial Golf Tournament – Lexington Country Club 6/10-6/11/15 Certification Class MQI (required for CME) McGee Brothers - Greensboro 6/22-6/26/15 SkillsUSA 51st annual National Leadership and Skills Conference - Louisville, KY 7/12-7/15/15 CCMA (SCMA) Summer Meeting, Grande Dunes –Myrtle Beach 7/12-7/15/15 National Masonry Instructors Association Annual Meeting, Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center– Myrtle Beach 7/12-7/16/15 NC DPI Summer Conference for Career, Trade & Industrial Education, Koury Center - Greensboro 9/9/15 Board of Directors Meeting , tentative location, Coutyard by Marriott, West Wendover Avenue, Greensboro 9/24/15 NCMCA State Golf Tournament – Mill Creek Golf and Country Club, Mebane, NC 9/28-10/1/15 MCAA Mid-Year Meeting – Key West 10/7/15 NCEER Construction Career Day, Cabarrus Arena – Concord 4/21-4/24/16 - NCMCA Annual Convention, The Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, VA 5/21/16 NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest, Carolina Stalite, Ben Ketchie Park – Gold Hill Additional details and registration forms are always available on the “Calendar” page of NCMCA.com.

Page 10 NC Masonry News June 2015

Annual Danny Koonts Golf Tournament

The Annual Central Piedmont Chapter Danny Koonts Memorial Golf Tournament is Thursday June 4th at Lexington Country Club. Call David Zenns (336) 886-2714 for details or visit the “Events” page at NCMCA.com (A nice way to help President Ashlee celebrate her Birthday!)

See more pictures from NCMCA events and activities linked at the NCMCA.com News page

NC SkillsUSA Luke Dutton, (right) instructed by Rodney Harrington at West Rowan High School, is the new high school NC SkillsUSA Masonry State Champion and will represent North Carolina at the SkillsUSA National Masonry Competition in Louisville in June. Finishing in second place was Cody Harrison of Mount Pleasant High School, followed by Jake Trelow of Jay M. Robinson High School in third place; 2014 state champion Blake Hodge of South Rowan High School in fourth place; and Kelby Thornton of Central Cabarrus High School in fifth place. Jessie Baker of West Rowan High School won the Masonry One Division. Fred T. Foard High School earned the Doug Drye Award for best cumulative performance in the various masonry competitions. Materials, judges, labor and equipment were provided by NCMCA members along with members of BIA-SE and the Southeast Concrete Masonry Association at the April contest in Greensboro.