MCAA Educates, Entertains During Annual Convention

Shown is Arcadio Armenta and his tender, Guadalupe Aragon ??? first-place winners of the Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.

MCAA Educates, Entertains During Annual Convention

March 2015

MCAA Annual Convention

The MCAA hosted an event-filled week during its Annual Convention, which was held in conjunction with the 2015 World of Concrete/World of Masonry show in Las Vegas last month. From seminars and competitions to social mixers and networking events, the MCAA kept attendees on their toes throughout the week.

Shown are the first, second and third place winners of the MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.
Shown are the first, second and third place winners of the MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.

Shown are MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp (left) with 2015 Masonry Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Dentinger.
Shown are MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp (left) with 2015 Masonry Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Dentinger.

Thomas McDonnell (center) is flanked by Jeff Buczkiewicz (left) and Mark Kemp after presenting a check for The Masonry Foundation.
Thomas McDonnell (center) is flanked by Jeff Buczkiewicz (left) and Mark Kemp after presenting a check for The Masonry Foundation.
Kevin O’Shea gives an update on the MCAA Safety Committee.
Kevin O’Shea gives an update on the MCAA Safety Committee.

Committee meetings

On the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 3, MCAA hosted Committee Meetings, during which the chairs of the committees provided updates on their various initiatives and projects. These included the Certification, Education, Legislative, Marketing, MasonrySystems.org, Membership, Safety, South of 40 and Workforce Development committees.

 

 

South of 40 event

The MCAA South of 40 committee hosted a reception at Senor Frogs on Tuesday evening. The place was packed, and everyone enjoyed fellowship, networking, delicious food and even entertainment by a sneaky magician who mastered the slight of the hand.

The South of 40 event, held at Senor Frogs, was packed with attendees.
The South of 40 event, held at Senor Frogs, was packed with attendees.

Andy Sneed (right) talks shop during the South of 40 event, held at Senor Frogs.
Andy Sneed (right) talks shop during the South of 40 event, held at Senor Frogs.

Masonry Skills Challenge

Miguel Angel Gonzalez competes in the Masonry Skills Challenge.
Miguel Angel Gonzalez competes in the Masonry Skills Challenge.

The Masonry Skills Challenge was hosted by the MCAA as part of MASONRY MADNESS on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The challenge is a competition for masonry apprentices in first-, second- and third-year skill levels. Each contestant was presented with a project drawing appropriate to his skill level just moments before the competition began. Contestants only had three hours to construct the project, based on the materials provided.

Shown is Kelton McGee with his first-place (third year) winning project in the Masonry Skills Challenge.
Shown is Kelton McGee with his first-place (third year) winning project in the Masonry Skills Challenge.

Shown is Zachary Zuidema with his first-place (second year) winning project in the Masonry Skills Challenge.
Shown is Zachary Zuidema with his first-place (second year) winning project in the Masonry Skills Challenge.

Shown is Daniel Furr with his first-place (first year) winning project in the Masonry Skills Challenge.
Shown is Daniel Furr with his first-place (first year) winning project in the Masonry Skills Challenge.

Mike Palmer and Imani Brodie distribute hats and shirts during the South of 40 event.
Mike Palmer and Imani Brodie distribute hats and shirts during the South of 40 event.
The top-placing contestants for each skill level were:
First Year, First Place:
Daniel Furr – Koontz Masonry
First-Year, Second Place:
Joshua Bourne – Foti Construction
First-Year, Third Place:
Derrick Williams Jr. – Williams & Sons Masonry
Second-Year, First Place:
Zachary Zuidema – Jimmy’Z Masonry
Second-Year, Second Place:
Jose Hernandez – Brothers Masonry
Second-Year, Third Place:
Lane Mullis – McGee Brothers
Third-Year, First Place:
Kelton McGee – McGee Brothers
Third-Year, Second Place:
Miguel Angel Gonzalez – NuWay
Third-Year, Third Place:
Kevin Kidd – PCC Masonry

All winners received trophies, cash prizes, Marshalltown Co. tool bags and tools, and safety kits from Beeline Purchasing. First-place winners also received engraved trowels from Marshalltown and concrete calculators from Calculated Industries. All contestants received grout scoops from GROUT GRUNT, a mason’s pack from SPEC MIX Inc., and additional prizes. For more information, visit www.masoncontractors.org/masonry-skills-challenge.

Fastest Trowel on the Block

Uriel Medrano with Avila Masonry and his tender, Francisco Sanchez Jr., go strong during the Fastest Trowel competition.
Uriel Medrano with Avila Masonry and his tender, Francisco Sanchez Jr., go strong during the Fastest Trowel competition.

Participants lay block at lightning speed during the Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.
Participants lay block at lightning speed during the Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.

The MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block competition took place as part of MASONRY MADNESS on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The competition pitted journeyman masons, accompanied by their favorite tenders, against one another in a show of speed. Each contestant’s goal was to complete as much of a 30-foot-long wall as possible, using 8- x 8- x 16-inch CMUs and the provided mortar in a 20-minute heat. Contestants also were judged on craftsmanship, and use of normal masonry practices and hand tools.

Shown are the winners of Fastest Trowel competition.
Shown are the winners of Fastest Trowel competition.
Shown are Arcadio Armenta, first-place winner of the Fastest Trowel competition, and Mark Kemp, chairman of the MCAA.
Shown are Arcadio Armenta, first-place winner of the Fastest Trowel competition, and Mark Kemp, chairman of the MCAA.

The top-placing contestants in this year’s competition were:
First Place:
Arcadio Armenta – Sutter Masonry,
tender: Guadalupe Aragon.
Second Place:
Alvaro Landaverde – Sutter Masonry,
tender: Heriberto Salazar
Third Place:
Irvin Willoughby – Pascal Robertson Masonry,
tender: Lawrence Singleton

Winners were presented with trophies. The first-place winner took home $8,000 and a special trophy from Marshalltown; the second-place winner received $2,500; and $1,500 was awarded to the third-place winner. Cash prizes were provided by SPEC MIX Inc. All winners received a grout scoop from GROUT GRUNT, a Marshalltown tool bag and tools, a gift certificate from STIHL, and additional prizes. For more information, visit www.fastesttrowel.com.

Arcadio Armenta accepts his $8,000 first-place prize from MCAA Secretary Paul Oldham and MCAA Treasurer Paul Odom.
Arcadio Armenta accepts his $8,000 first-place prize from MCAA Secretary Paul Oldham and MCAA Treasurer Paul Odom.

Shown is Arcadio Armenta and his tender, Guadalupe Aragon – first-place winners of the Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.
Shown is Arcadio Armenta and his tender, Guadalupe Aragon – first-place winners of the Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.

Guests at the MCAA Closing Banquet enjoyed delicious food at Morton’s The Steakhouse.
Guests at the MCAA Closing Banquet enjoyed delicious food at Morton’s The Steakhouse.

First and second place Fastest Trowel winners surround MCAA Vice Chairman Mike Sutter.
First and second place Fastest Trowel winners surround MCAA Vice Chairman Mike Sutter.

Annual Meeting and Closing Dinner

On Thursday, Feb. 5, the MCAA Annual Meeting took place, which was heavily attended. John Smith Jr. was presented the Leadman Award during the Annual Meeting (see below left).

The Closing Dinner took place on Thursday evening, Feb. 5. Bill Dentinger was inducted into the Masonry Hall of Fame. He was accompanied by his family and embraced by the many MCAA members and their families in attendance (see below right).

John Smith Jr. Awarded C. Dewitt Brown Leadman Award

Dentinger Inducted Into Masonry Hall of Fame

MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp presents the Leadman Award to John Smith Jr.
MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp presents the Leadman Award to John Smith Jr.

On Thursday, Feb. 5, the MCAA presented the 2015 C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award to John Smith Jr. of John J. Smith Masonry in St. Louis during the Annual Meeting. Smith has provided exemplary leadership in advancing the masonry industry. He also has demonstrated a tireless dedication to our industry through years of volunteer support and hard work. Smith has helped to ensure that the masonry industry remains vital for the nearly 500,000 people employed through masonry.

MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp presented the award to Smith, who is a third-generation bricklayer and a second-generation mason contractor. He has been involved with all aspects of the industry on both a local and national level. His leadership, enthusiasm, commitment and relentless dedication to the industry have made John J. Smith Masonry a dominant mason contractor as well as an expert in the industry for architects, engineers and general contractors to seek advice.

Smith was a key part of the wall-bracing policy developed by the MCAA, now a nationally recognized safety standard. He has served as the Region E VP, Marketing Committee chairman, treasurer, secretary and VP, and chairman of the MCAA.

Bill Dentinger (center) is surrounded by his family after induction into the Masonry Hall of Fame.
Bill Dentinger (center) is surrounded by his family after induction into the Masonry Hall of Fame.

During the MCAA Closing Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, Bill Dentinger was inducted into the Masonry Hall of Fame by MCAA Chairman Mark Kemp. The Masonry Hall of Fame was created to recognize and award those individuals who have dedicated their lives to the masonry industry. Each year, nominations are accepted to recognize individuals who have had a major impact on the masonry industry, not necessarily with just the MCAA, and have been in the industry for a minimum of 25 years. All inductees are nominated by their peers and carefully reviewed by a panel of judges. Nominees must receive six of eight eligible votes in order to be accepted into the Hall of Fame.

Dentinger chose masonry as a career while he was still in high school. He later handled the front office business for his uncle, a master bricklayer. In 1957 he joined the United States Navy and told his uncle, “I’ll see you in four years.” For four years, every month or so, he wrote his uncle, reminding him that he wanted to join him in the business and help run things. His uncle, Rich Kemp, had not forgotten the plan. He and Superior Masonry Builders were waiting for him, and this was the beginning of his 50-year career of working in, and serving, the masonry industry.

Superior Masonry grew to become one of two or three significant masonry operations in the Milwaukee area. Their specialties changed from residential to commercial, industrial and institutional masonry work, building schools and churches.
Superior Masonry Builders joined the Mason Contractors Association of Milwaukee in the early-1960s. Dentinger became active and was mentored by people like Gregor Pichler and Bob Tubesing, both of whom were charter members of the MCAA. By 1966 he was president of MCA-Milwaukee. He also active in the Allied Construction Employer’s Association, and was a management trustee of the Building Trades United Pension Trust Fund for Milwaukee and Vicinity. Dentinger served on the Board of the AC of Greater Milwaukee as the sub-contractor liaison.

In 1975 Dentinger left Superior Masonry to make room for Rich Kemp’s two sons. He and his wife started their own masonry business, Bill Dentinger Inc. For several decades he was active in the MCAA, serving on and acting as chair of many committees. He was MCAA president in the mid-1980s. He also served as the co-chairman of the International Masonry Institute.

Visit www.masoncontractors.org/hall-of-fame for additional information and a full list of Masonry Hall of Fame members.

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