January 2014: Chairman's Message

Words: John Smith Jr.

January 2014

Chairman's Message

Many Thanks

John SmithJohn Smith President Mason Contractors Association of America

First I would like to wish each and every reader of the Masonry Magazine a healthy and prosperous New Year. With the end of this year, my term as Chairman is almost complete and quickly coming to an end. It is truly a bittersweet process. Those who have served ahead of me know of the process and mixed emotions that occur at the end.

As you may or may not know, it is an eight-year commitment to serve on the Executive Board.

Along the way, you make many friends and build lifelong relationships. You encounter many different personalities and different issues related to the masonry Industry. There are days that you spend the entire day working for the MCAA, and days when you see projects completed with a large amount of satisfaction. I hope that in my years of service, I have made a difference in the masonry industry.

I would like to personally thank all of my officers from the last two years, along with the last Chairmen who I served. Their support has been rewarding and knowledgeable. Going into the future, the group of officers and newly elected officers will bring the MCAA to new areas.

I would like to personally thank Jeff and the entire staff for their help during the last two years.

The staff has endured some tough times, both with work and finances. It has been a struggle the last four years to keep the MCAA viable, with the masonry industry down due to the recession. I believe the work has turned, and the masonry market will return strongly.

Lastly, I would like to thank my wife, Linda, for helping me with many unpredicted issues. Linda has helped me be successful in whatever I have tried to do in life, including an Executive Officer of the MCAA.

I would also like to wish the incoming Chairman, Mark Kemp, much success in his term. I am confident he will lead the MCAA to new heights. Thank you also to all the Regional Vice Presidents, Committee Chairmen, Past Chairmen and members for your help. It was an honor to serve and be your friend.

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