Masonry Magazine August 1977 Page. 11
Mason Contractor News
# Conexpo Slated for '81
Conexpo, the Construction Equipment Exposition, has been scheduled for Houston's Astrodome, January 25-30, 1981. Held only once every six years, Conexpo displays the latest construction equipment, methods and accessories from every segment of the construction industry.
The general chairman for Conexpo '81 is Ralph E. Keidel, vice president-marketing, Euclid, Inc.
# National Gypsum Sales, Earnings Set Records
National Gypsum Co. had record second quarter sales and earnings in 1977, while sales were the highest of any three-month period in the firm's 52-year history, according to William M. North, chairman and chief executive officer of the Dallas-based firm.
Sales of $191 million were up 21% from the $157.4 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 1976. Second quarter earnings rose 58% to $11.5 million, compared with $7.3 million earned for the same period a year earlier.
# People & Events
E. Charles Morris has been elected president of the Florida Concrete & Products Association, Inc. He is president of Kissam Division, Florida Rock Industries, Inc., Orlando...Jed L. Greer has been appointed vice president/planning & development, Cement Division of National Gypsum Co....Mori Messenger, president of M. L. Baxter Equipment Ltd., Weston, Ont., has been elected chairman of the newly formed Koehring Crane & Excavator Group Distributor Council, Milwaukee, Wis. Jake Wilson, president of Power Equipment Co., Denver, Colo., has been elected co-chairman...American Material Corp., Eau Claire, Wis., has been appointed distributor in northern Wisconsin for the Thoro System line of waterproofing, maintenance and decorative products for concrete and masonry.
Ottmar H. Becker, building commissioner of Country Club Hills, III., has been elected president for 1977-78 of the Building Officials & Code Administrators International (BO-please turn page
# Chicago Masonry Council Announces Competition
Preliminary announcements are being forwarded for the fourth annual Excellence In Masonry Architectural Awards Program sponsored by the Metropolitan Chicago Masonry Council. "Excellence In Masonry '77" will recognize architects for accomplishment in masonry design.
The search for outstanding masonry structures will culminate with the presentation of awards at a dinner dance to be held February 18, 1978 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. For additional information, contact Metropolitan Chicago Masonry Council, Suite 201, 1550 Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, III. 60068, (312) 694-2737.
# CSI Publishes New Technical Aid Series
The Construction Specifications Institute has readied the first set of 50 Technical Aid Series (TAS) documents for distribution, and work is in progress on publishing the second set.
TAS, a new CSI research tool for the construction team, provides a library of construction information on a single building material or component including manufacturers, standards, specification aids, publications, and regulations.
Among the subjects in the first set of TAS documents were soil compaction control, concrete admixtures, brick masonry, and built-up bituminous roofing. The second set will include lightweight concrete, glass unit masonry, and weatherstripping and seals.
# Industry Pioneer Earl Blackstock Dies
One of the last of the early leaders of the masonry industry in the Seattle area, G. Earl "Slim" Blackstock, died in Seattle on May 16 at the age of 80. He was a former MCAA regional vice president and Washington state chairman, and served on a number of important MCAA committees.
Born in Pennsylvania on June 30, 1896, Mr. Blackstock became a member of Bricklayers Union Local #9 in Bellingham, Wash., in 1916 and later transferred to Seattle Local #2 where he became a lifetime member.
Mr. Blackstock was one of the incorporators of the Seattle Mason Contractors Association in 1949 and was also a lifetime member. In 1953 he executed the first articles of incorporation for the Unit Masonry Association, forerunner of the Masonry Institute of Washington.
Mr. Blackstock served as president of both the Seattle Masonry Contractors Association and the Unit Masonry Association, and was a member of the first board of directors of both groups.
As a mason contractor, Mr. Blackstock worked on many of the large construction projects in the Seattle area. He retired from active contracting work in 1970. His son, William C. Blackstock, presently heads Blackstock Masonry, Inc.