Masonry Magazine March 2009 Page. 43

Words: Roy Swindal, Eliot Norman, Randy Todd, Doyal Shoun
Masonry Magazine March 2009 Page. 43

Masonry Magazine March 2009 Page. 43
Third Place
Marcelo Lopez, Pengilly Masonry Inc., Stockton, Calif.

THIRD-YEAR APPRENTICES
First Place
Alvaro Landaverde, Sutter Masonry, El Mirage, Ariz.

Second Place
Wielman Gasper, Gentry & Painter Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn.

Third Place
Ryan R. Stone, Rick Stone Masonry Inc., Helotes, Texas

All winners were presented with trophies. First-place winners took home $1,000, second-place winners received $500, and third-place winners received $250. All contestants were provided with a Marshalltown tool bag.

Convention partners were Hydro Mobile Inc., Mortar Net USA, and QUIKRETE. Competition Gold sponsors were EZ Scaffold, Non-Stop Scaffolding, and SPEC MIX, Skills Challenge sponsor was Lafarge North America Inc. Competition Donor sponsors were Tradesmen's Software Inc. and South Atlantic Lintels. Material and Service sponsors were Angelus Block Co., Crick Tool, EZ Grout Corp., GATORBACK, Marshalltown, MK Diamond Products Inc., and Wasco Inc.

On Tuesday night, a Mason Contractors Political Action Committee (MAC PAC) Reception was held at the Venetian Hotel MAC PAC allows contractors the opportunity to have a national impact on federal elections. Former Nevada Republican Congressman Jon Porter addressed a full room about the country, economy and masonry industry.

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, "Expert's Pairing Advice" was presented at the Venetian Hotel. Joachim Splichal showcased his culinary artistry at the Pinot Brasserie. California-French cuisine was paired with an award-winning wine list.

The MCAA Annual Meeting was held Wednesday afternoon, with the main topic of discussion being Vision 2020, a joint grassroots marketing initiative between the MCAA and the National Concrete Masonry Association to promote the use of masonry. MCAA Past-president Frank Campitelli was awarded the 2009 C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award during the meeting. Each year, the award is given to an individual who has provided exemplary leadership in advancing the masonry industry. Campitelli has been involved with the MCAA for more than 35 years. He spent eight years on the MCAA Executive Board, including two years as president from 2006 to 2008.

On Wednesday night, the MCAA Second-Annual Contractor Appreciation Party was in full swing. Hundreds of mason contractors attending the World of Concrete gathered for a night of food, drinks and fun at the Palazzo Hotel, sponsored by industry suppliers. Titanium Trowel sponsors were the Arizona Masonry Contractors Association, Bennu, EZ Grout Corp., EZ Scaffold, Hydro Mobile, the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago, Mortar Net USA, Peninsula

Former Nevada Republican Congressman Jon Porter addressed the group about the country, economy and masonry industry during the MAC PAC reception

MCAA Past-president Frank Campitellis presented with the Leadman Award by MCAA President Tom Daniel

Paul Balibar, with the US. Army Corps of Engineers in Philadelphia, accepts a door prize during the MCAA Contractor Party.

Julle Trost, with the California Conference of Mason Contractor Associations, and Joyce Greer, executive director of the Masonry Institute of Virginia, enjoy networking opportunities at the MCAA Contractor Party.

The MCAA Contractor Party drew a crowd ready to relax, mingle and talk shop.


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