It’s Been Real

Words: Karen HickeyThe December issue of Masonry is my last. A new editor, Dan Kamys, will take over the reins in January when the magazine passes from Lionheart’s to MCAA’s jurisdiction. Whether the topic is workforce development or the new silica rule or safety, I know Dan and the MCAA will continue fighting for the real concerns of your small businesses.

Masonry was an entirely new field to me, and it was a pleasure getting acquainted with the issues as well as the people involved in this industry. Masons and mason contractors are indeed the passionate, hard-working people one would expect to find. To all of you who make this industry tick, I say thank you.

I must thank two inspiring individuals who helped me immensely along my journey since the March 2016 issue of Masonry.

First, I met Steven Fechino during my first week on the job at World of Concrete in February. An expert on moisture management, he can churn out a 1200-word article in a day, making it look easy! His contributions to both the magazine and this industry are certainly recognized, as he was recently inducted into the National Masonry Instructors Association Hall of Fame.

Second, I met Brandon Hartsell at NCMCA’s annual meeting at the end of April. Motivated and enthusiastic, Brandon is always willing to help. He is now working diligently to bring more young people into masonry. I can only imagine how far he’ll go in the industry, as his passion is contagious!

I encourage you to be an inspiration to others as these two gentlemen have been to me. It’s been a real pleasure and privilege to be a part of this great industry. Thank you, all!
About: Featured
OSHA’s Top 10 Violations of the Year

In the construction and general industry fields, there are quite a number of dangers within the various work environments. This, of course, makes perfect sense when you consider the number of variables one must deal with daily. It is only logical when you

About: Featured
Lightweight Concrete Masonry Block: Building Efficient Buildings Efficiently

In the construction industry, masonry is a labor-intensive trade. Each day, masons handle thousands of concrete masonry unit (CMU) that form a building’s structure. Because normal weight (NWT) CMU weigh about 50 pounds (lbs), repetitive lifting can strain

About: Featured
Cultural Heritage Meets Modern Architectural Design: The Alain Ducasse Restaurant, AlUla

For Craft Group’s Alain Ducasse restaurant project in AlUla, we fostered a collaborative effort between the design team and local craftsmen and ensured that the masonry work reflected the area's cultural heritage while meeting modern construction standard

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 12 Recap: Paul Cantarella Jr., President at Cantarella & Son, Inc.

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Paul Cantarella Jr. joins the show to talk about his career and passion for the masonry industry, how his journey started, the building of his family's company, and his life outside of work as well. Childhoo

About: Featured