Masonry Magazine July 1977 Page. 13
Mason Contractor News
# Seek to Form United Construction Group
As a result of a recent invitation by the Council of Construction Employers, representatives of the Associated General Contractors of America, Contractors Mutual Association, National Constructors Association and Council of Construction Employers met in New York City to seek agreement in order to create a new, single management voice in the construction industry to be known as NCEC.
Agreement in principle was reached with the understanding that another meeting would be held by the same group. The meeting date was set for July 11, 1977 in New York City.
# Dionne Named President of McGraw-Hill Division
Joseph L. Dionne has been named president of McGraw-Hill Information Systems Co., a New York-based division of McGraw-Hill, Inc. He succeeds A. W. Kitchens, who retired for reasons of health.
Dionne served as senior vice president for corporate planning for McGraw-Hill, Inc. since 1973. Kitchens leaves McGraw-Hill after a distinguished 38-year career with the Information Systems Company and its predecessor organization, F. W. Dodge Corp.
# Masonry Execs Meet with New GSA Head
Meeting recently at the Army-Navy Club in Washington, D.C. to congratulate Jay Solomon (2nd from left) on his recent appointment as administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration were three executives from the masonry industry. Pictured with Solomon are (from left) David B. "Mickey" Soloff, Jr., chairman, Masonry Industry Liaison Committee and MCAA past president; Robert Ebeling, MCAA president, and George A. Miller, MCAA executive vice president. The GSA, the business arm of the federal government, is a giant conglomerate of five divisions with more than 37,000 employees.
# Theft a $200 Million Problem for Contractors
Losses due to equipment theft and vandalism are now costing the nation's building contractors anywhere from $250-200 million per year. This fact came to light at a recent meeting of the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) Industry Relations continued on page 22
# WIC Presents Women's Construction Award
Mrs. Marie Cardwell of Dixie Construction Co. has been named winner of the annual "WIC of the Year" award in the greater Birmingham (Ala.) area. The honor is sponsored by chapters of the National Association of Women In Construction.
Mrs. Cardwell has been a member of the Birmingham area chapter since 1972 and currently serves as president-elect. To be a member of the NAWIC, a person must be actively employed in the construction industry. Mrs. Cardwell has been associated with Dixie Construction Co., a prominent mason contracting firm, since 1956, and presently serves as its secretary-treasurer.
# General Portland Plans New Plant in Texas
General Portland, Inc., Dallas, Texas, has announced plans to build a new cement plant to serve central and south Texas markets when suitable financing can be arranged, the company's shareholders were told at their recent annual meeting in Dallas.
President and chief executive officer James B. Lendrum said, "We intend to build the most modern and efficient cement plant in the Southwest. We are presently evaluating three possible sites and are exploring several avenues for the financing of such a plant."
# Gillis Brochure Wins Institute Award
The latest architectural brochure of Gillis Quarries Ltd., Winnipeg, Man., Canada, won two awards at the recent annual Building Stone Institute convention held in San Diego, Calif.
The brochure, "Tyndall Stone," was judged best in two categories: "Best Technical Brochure for Architects" and "Best Color Brochure for Architects (Limestone)."
The 16-page publication contains technical information, construction details, specifications and general information with color photographs of a variety of limestone applications.