LaVene Earns Upton AwardMYRTLE BEACH – Paul A. LaVene, who retired

as President of the Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association (CCMA) in October, was recognized as the eighth recipient of NCMCA’s prestigious Eleanor Flowers Upton Award at the 2011 NCMCA Convention Banquet April 16th.

Paul and his wife Jeniene returned to the Caroli-nas from their new retirement home in Oklahoma to join members of NCMCA at the Annual Association Convention and Business Meeting at Kingston Plan-tation in Myrtle Beach April 14th through April 17th.

The Upton Award, first presented in 1981 to Ray Holyfield of The Riverton Corporation, is awarded to an associate member of NCMCA who has dem-onstrated exceptional long-term service and com-mitment to NCMCA and to the masonry industry. The selection committee, made up of past NCMCA presidents and Upton Award recipients, accepts let-ters of nomination generated by the local chapters of NCMCA.

As the most recent recipient, and thus Chair-

This Issue Sponsored by

See Page Three

In this Issue:

Message from the President Page 2Mountain Contest Results Page 2 NC SkillsUSA Results Page 4Dates to Note Page 4Certification News Page 5Letters to NCMCA Page 5Remembering Butch Hardy Page 5Convention Meetings Report Page 6Eastern NC Contest Results Page 7Danny Koonts Golf Report Page 8Member News Page 8Welcome New Members Page 8McGee Brothers Big Winners Page 10

NCMCA.COMMasonrySystems.org

man of the 2011 Upton Award Committee, Freddie McMahan emceed the awards presentation, taking the opportunity to say what receiving the award has meant to him, and to express his appreciation for having received the recognition in 2005. In his remarks, McMahan said, “Make no mistake, from my personal perspective, this Award is an enormous honor and I assure you all of the past recipients consider it to be so.

“The Award was originally called the “Outstand-ing Associate Member Award” but was later changed (1998) to the “Eleanor Flowers Upton Outstanding Associate Award” to honor Eleanor for her dedica-tion, hard work and guiding presence for so many years. She came to work for the NCMCA in 1978. I’m not sure what Eleanor’s title was during all those years but in her own words recently, she was the protective ‘mother hen’ to a group of very special people – a group of individuals who were fiercely competitive while over the years developing a spirit

June 2011 Vol. 37 No. 2

The Newsletter of The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association

see “LaVene” continued page nine

Welcome to the Club! 2011 Upton Award recipient Paul LaVene, second from left, is greeted by past Upton Award recipients at the April 16th NCMCA Convention Banquet. Left to right, Jimmy Wall, LaVene, Freddie McMahan, Danny Battten, and John Cramer.

Page 2 NC Masonry News June 2011

Sign of a Professionalwww.ncmca.com

Larry Kirby, CME, PresidentKirby Construction Services, Conover,NC

Gary Joyner, CME, President ElectJoyner Masonry Works, Inc., Greenville, NC

Ashlee Moore, CMP, Secretary TreasurerKoontz Masonry, Inc., Lexington, NC

Gary Manning, CME, ChairmanManning Masonry, Williamston, NC

Chris Bruner, CMP, Central Vice Pres.Gates Construction Company, Mooresville NC

James “Bo” Black, Eastern Vice Pres.Carolina Masonry Unlimited, Inc., Apex, NC

Don Caldwell, Western Vice Pres.C & R Masonry, Candler, NC

Glenn Sipe, First President 1974-75Glenn W. Sipe & Son, Conover NC

John Cramer AAI, Insurance ConsultantTriSure Corporation, Raleigh, NC

Fred McMahan CLU, Insurance ConsultantMcMahan Insurance, Lexington, NC

Lynn Nash, Executive Vice PresidentHickory, NC

The Quarterly Newsletter of The North Carolina

Masonry Contractors Association

109 11th Avenue NWPost Office Box 3463

Hickory, NC 28603-3463Telephone (828) 324-1564

Fax (828) 324-2179Information@ncmca.com

Andy-the-Cat Productions / Deluxe Printing Company

Photographs by Andy-the-Cat Productions unless otherwise noted

June 2011

Hello to all! SUMMER has arrived! I hope everyone is well and busy with some

profitable work. Your Association has been quite busy the past few months with our annual conven-tion in April at the Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach. Everyone who attended had a great time.

This year’s convention banquet included the rare presentation of the Upton Outstanding As-sociate Award to Paul LaVene, making the 2011 convention even more special than usual. I hope you will take a moment to read the newsletter front-page story about Paul’s important contri-butions to the Carolinas’ masonry industry. My congratulations to Paul for receiving the award and my best wishes for his retirement.

If you missed this year’s convention, plan on attending next year’s at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville April 12 to April 15. Participation in the annual convention helps you to get the most from your investment in NCMCA membership.

NCMCA has been involved in our annual ap-prentice contests recently with the Land of The Sky High School Contest at Hendersonville, the SkillsUSA contest in Greensboro, the newly named “Butch Hardy Eastern NC High School Contest” hosted by Adams Products in Goldsboro, and our

A Word from the President

Mountain Contest Twenty-two masonry students from six western North Carolina high schools par-ticipated in the NCMCA Land of the Sky Chapter’s Annual Masonry Skills Competition Friday March 18th at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock. Top, left to right, Gary Kitchen, President of the Land of the Sky Chapter; Stan Haynes, masonry instructor at McDowell High School, Marion; second-place fin-isher Jacob Stover of McDowell High School; first-place finisher, Sam Cochran of Tuscola High School in Waynesville; Tuscola High School Masonry Instructor Eric Sollie; and President Larry Kirby. Bottom, left to right, third-place finisher Ricky Curtis and fourth-place finisher Austin Hensley of McDowell High School; fifth-place finisher Slade Mills of Tuscola High School; and NCMCA Western Regional Vice President Don Caldwell. Chapter member firms and local merchants partnered with the chapter to provide materials and equipment, and tools and cash for prizes. CEMEX provided everyone with a hamburger and hotdog lunch.

own NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest hosted by Custom Brick & Supply Company in Raleigh. Many thanks to everyone who helped to make these events a success.

Our certification class are going well and getting close to the end of the fourth series. Let me thank all who have participated in this round of classes and all the previous classes. My congratulations to those who have most recently earned their certifications. (See page 5.) Certification can only make us better and more professional individuals and companies.

This summer, remember to support your local chapter with your attendance AND participation.

In closing, let us all keep each other our nation and our service men and women in our prayers.

- W. Larry Kirby, CME, President

Burlington GolfThe Triad Chapter will hold their annual chapter

golf tournament on Friday afternoon June 24th at the Shamrock Golf Club in Burlington. “Captain’s Choice.” Shotgun start at 12:30, picnic and awards afterwards. For details, call Dicky Robertson, Chair-man (336) 289-6402, Jay Wilson (336) 516-4763, or Gene King (336) 312-1318.

June 2011 NC Masonry News Page 3

Page 4 NC Masonry News June 2011

NC SkillsUSA The Champion of the 2011 NC Skill-sUSA Annual Conference State Masonry Contest, held in April at the Greensboro Coliseum, is West Stanly High School Junior Drew Dennis. Left to right, top, West Caldwell instructor Matt Woods; Hibriten High School instructor Tracy Bradshaw; West Stanly High School instructor Tim Kidd; Fred T. Foard High School instructor Rick Greene; and Contest Head Judge Gary Manning. Left to right, bottom, Fourth Place Finisher Travis Propst, West Caldwell High School; Second Place Finisher Thomas Keller, Hibriten High School; First Place Finisher Drew Dennis, West Stanly High School; Third Place Finisher Dylan Sweet and Fifth Place Finisher Justin Biddix both of Fred T. Foard High School. Dennis will represent North Carolina in the High School National Competition in Kansas City later this sum-mer. Dylan Innis (not shown) of Central Cabarrus High School won the post-secondary contest and will also compete in Kansas City.

Dates to Note6/16/11 Mod 8 “Advanced Bidding Workshop”

Ross Gary, McGee Brothers - Greensboro6/19-6/24/11 47th SkillsUSA Annual Conference,

Bartel Hall – Kansas City6/24/11 Triad Chapter SJO Golf Tournament,

Shamrock Golf Club - Burlington8/14-8/17/11 CCMA Annual Meeting, Wild Dunes

– Charleston8/30/11 Mod 9 “Financial Management” Bob

Dusin, McGee Brothers – Greensboro8/31/11 Mod 10 “Managing HR” Bob Dusin,

McGee Brothers – Greensboro9/14-9/17/11 MCAA Mid-Year Meeting – San

Antonio9/14/11 Metrolina Chapter Annual Golf Tourna-

ment, Mooresville Municipal Golf Club – Mooresville9/22/11 NCMCA Annual State Golf Tournament,

Mill Creek Golf & Country Club - Mebane10/13/11 Mod 11 “Leadership Boot Camp” Bob

Dusin, McGee Brothers – Greensboro1/13-1/15/12 Raleigh Chapter 24th / 13th Annual

Murdell Golf Trip – Myrtle Beach2/27-3/2/12 MCAA Annual Convention – Las Vegas2/28-3/3/12 NCMA Annual Convention – Orlando4/12-4/15/12 NCMCA Annual Convention, Grove

Park Inn Spa & Resort - Asheville4/17-4/18/12 NC SkillsUSA Masonry Contest,

Coliseum – Greensboro6/24-6/30/12 48th SkillsUSA Annual Conference,

Bartel Hall – Kansas City

Working with an Audience A couple of young spectators watch intently as Daniel Villarrel of Pinnacle Masonry competes in the 2011 NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest at Custom Brick & Supply in May.

Drew Dennis and Dylan Innis Head for Kansas City SkillsUSA Competition

Companies Certified Left, left to right, Certification Board of Governors Chairman Doug Burton congratu-lates Tim and Gary Manning on the certification of Manning Masonry, Williamston. Right, left to right, Michael, Steve and Jason Elmore are congratulated by NCMCA President Larry Kirby for the certification of their firm, S.M. Elmore Masonry of Dunn.

www.ncmca.comAvailable 24/7!

June 2011 NC Masonry News Page 5

LettersDear (NCMCA,)I am writing to express my sincerest gratitude to...

the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association for selecting me as a recipient of the 2010 Sigmon Memorial Scholarship. With the competition ap-proaching its eleventh year, I am honored to be a part of this scholarship’s tradition and I appreciate your dedication to fostering an appreciation for the craft of masonry construction in students.

Throughout my architectural education at North Carolina State University, much of my knowledge about building assemblies has come from lectures and textbooks. Although each learning method was valuable, exercises such as the Masonry Facade com-petition challenge students to innovate while also understanding the collaborative roles of architects and craftspeople.

My teammates and I were compelled to simplify our design concept so that the careful laying of bricks was celebrated. The architect and the mason would cooperate to compose the façade, in which bricks of a wide range of tone colors were arranged into a simple wall of bricks in compression.

As I look toward studying abroad in Prague next semester, the scholarship will greatly assist me in

Certification Class Dale Yarbrough, P.E. of Level3 Design Associates conducts the May Module Seven “Codes and Special Inspection Overview” class at McGee Brothers Company in Greensboro.

Certification NewsAs a result of their April meeting, NCMCA Ma-

sonry Contractors Certification Board of Governors’ Chairman Doug Burton announced the following certifications were approved.

Company Certifications; Manning Masonry, Inc., Williamston; and S.M. Elmore Masonry, Dunn.

Certified Masonry Executives (CME); Brodie Con-tractors, Inc., Toby Brodie; Manning Masonry, Inc., Misty Vick; Metro Masonry, Inc., David M. Walden; and S.M. Elmore Masonry, Inc., Jason Elmore.

Certified Masonry Professional (CMP); Brodie Contractors, Inc., Dirk Gale, Frank Alston, and Juan Garcia Martinez; Gates Construction Company, Da-vis “Dink” Mitchell, Jeremy Eudy, and John Brock; McGee Brothers Company, Thomas R. Whitlow; Pine Hall Brick Company, Angie G. Holt; Roanoke Cement Company, Drew Bullock; and S.M. Elmore Masonry, Inc., Gabriel Panuco.

Congratulations to these firms and individuals on this important accomplishment.

At the convention board meeting, David Mauney of Pyramid Masonry was approved to fill a three-year term on the NCMCA Certification Program Board of Governors as an NCMCA contractor representative. Eric Johnson was reappointed for another three-year Governor’s term as the BIA-SE representative.

The dates for the rest of the 2011-2012 series are now set.

Module 8 “Advanced Bidding Workshop” with Ross Gary, a required course for CME certification is set for Thursday June 16, 2011.

Bob Dusin will once again instruct Modules Nine, Ten and Eleven. Mod Nine “Financial & Operational Management” is Tuesday August 30 and Module

Ten “Managing the Human Side of the Business” is Wednesday August 31. Both are required classes for CME candidates. Module Eleven “Leadership Boot Camp” is Thursday October 13, 2011 (note the change of date from earlier) and is an elective for everyone.

All the classes will be held at the McGee Brothers facility in Greensboro.

pursuing my academic endeavors, especially in the tough economic climate. I applaud the North Carolina Masonry contractors Association’s dedica-tion to mentorship and I implore that the Associa-tion continues to sponsor competitions such as the Masonry Façade competition, which significantly enrich students’ educational opportunities through hands-on experience.

SincerelyJeremy Leonard, NCSU

Butch Hardy Passes

Herman “Butch” Hardy, who retired from Old-castle Adams Products earlier this year, passed away Easter Sunday Morning after a brief illness.

He worked with Adams Products Company for thirty-eight years, serving as Company President for seventeen years.

During his career Butch received numerous awards, including: National Masonry Instructors Hall of Fame; NC Masonry Instructors Association

Mason Man Award; Outstanding Ser-vice to the NC Ma-son Contractors Association; recipi-ent of the NC State University School of Design’s Wings on Wings award recognizing signifi-cant contributions to the School of

Design Community, and numerous other

awards from the National Concrete Masonry Associa-tion. He was also past President and Chairman of the Board of the Carolina Concrete Masonry Association.

He was a key figure in masonry training in both Carolinas and was the founder of the Annual Eastern North Carolina High School Masonry Skills Contest that Adams Concrete has sponsored for thirty years, a contest that is among the longest running masonry skills contests in the country. (See page 4)

Butch was 65 and lived in Raleigh and Kinston.The family suggests memorial contributions

be made to Skill Creations of Kinston, c/o Adams Products, Attn. Nancy St. John, 501 Patetown Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Butch Hardy

19th Annual NCMCA State Golf Tournament

Thursday September 22, 2011Mill Creek Golf & Country Club

Mebane, NCDavid McQueen, Chairman

Page 6 NC Masonry News June 2011

The NCMCA Board of Directors combined their spring meeting with the 2011 Convention Annual Meeting at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach. The following is summary of that meeting.

Treasurer Ashlee Moore, presented the financial report. Total assets as of year-end 2010: $620,745.65. (Assets end of 2009: $611,986.61.) 2010 operating expense approximately $170,147.34. We ended 2010 with a gain of $9,962.11 ($12,358.74 in 2009.)

Total assets as of March 31, 2011: $649,816.62.Freddie McMahan presented a report on the

Association’s health and benefits program, saying, “Good Morning. This is a great time to be working in the healthcare insurance business. You may think I’m being somewhat facetious or joking when I say that but, as is the case with everything, it’s all relative. Relative to what you may ask? And I will say it’s relative to how you approach it, the attitude you have about dealing with it. When changes are being made, many over which you have no control, there are bound to be opportunities that arise out of the changes. Whether it’s in the masonry busi-ness or the insurance business, the challenge is to position yourself so that you are ahead of or at least equal to the competition in determining what those opportunities are, and then being able to capitalize on those opportunities. That is, if you expect to remain in the business.

“That is what we expect to do in order to promote and grow the NCMCA and in turn continue our place in it. Things are likely to become somewhat more complicated in the next 2 to 3 years for you and your business in dealing with employee benefits, especially those having to do with health care.

“When the health insurance exchanges get up and running, either managed by the states or by the federal government, and assuming that court chal-lenges fail to extinguish the movement, then when you need help navigating the bureaucracy involved in navigating the exchanges, I feel that we agents will have a major involvement in that process. It will be up to us to prove ourselves indispensable to you and your company so that you come to us for help when you need it. We should be able to educate, innovate and communicate – to create solutions for your problems. If we can do that, the value we bring to the NCMCA, and the NCMCA to us, can be solidified and will continue well into the future.

“And now to the normal report. We are still at 14 groups, with premiums slightly over $2,000,000. As I’ve said before, that includes medical insurance as well as supplemental products. The premium spiked upward for January but I have seen a notice-able decrease for February and March. The average increase in renewal rates for the NCMCA groups from April 2010 to April 2011 was approximately 20%. After negotiations with the existing carriers, making benefit changes, and/or changing carriers,

we ended up with an overall average renewal rate increase of about 8.0%

“Most studies that I have read predict that the mandates in the Health Care Reform Act will add 3% to 4% to the cost of health premiums. All of you continue to hear about the Health Care Reform Act so I will not go through that here. Significant changes occurred in 2010 and others are occurring in 2011. However, the truly major changes are scheduled to occur in 2013 & 2014. The courts will determine what changes will be made and just how major they will be.”

Mr. McMahan introduced Pete Schantz who will be joining him with the NCMCA health insurance program. Pete is a graduate of Appalachian State University. He has been in the Group Health business for 16 years, 4 on the insurance carrier side and 12 years as a broker.

TriSure’s John Cramer and Heidi O’Connor reported on the Association liability and workers’ compensation program. O’Connor reported that the Association Workers Comp and Liability program participating premiums were down to about $1.7 million in premium. The same number of masons are participating, but payrolls and exposures have continued to decrease due to the slow economy.

Cramer then reported that, while he does not ex-pect rates to increase dramatically through the end of 2011, there will be a shrinking in the market of insurance carriers interested in working with higher hazard classes of construction, such as masonry. Cramer discussed that in recent years, many carriers have jumped into masonry and other more difficult classes, attracted to the opportunity to gain market share and increase their volume. However, as the market has continued to shrink, and underwriting losses have increased dramatically, many carriers will go back to writing low hazard, low exposure business, and pull away from tougher exposures.

This is where Cramer feels the NCMCA program will once again expand and thrive. Cramer explained the expertise TriSure has developed in Masonry over the last 18 years will be very valuable to underwriters and carriers in working with agents who have specific expertise. In addition, TriSure has built a strong relationship with carriers who understand construction, specialize in construction, and want to continue to write the “best in class.”

Cramer expressed to the NCMCA that while he feels the market is not recovering, he is continuing to see an increase in the amount of work that is required to be bonded, as well as larger jobs still participating in OCIP and CCIP programs.

President Larry thanked Freddie, Heidi, and John for their reports and for their dedication to NCMCA.

President-Elect Gary Joyner reported on appren-ticeship and training. He said the March Greensboro SkillsUSA Masonry Contest was “great.” He thanked

all the volunteers and contributors, especially noting Contest Head Judge Gary Manning. The winner of the state contest was Drew Dennis.

Certification Board of Governors Chairman Doug Burton reported on certification. We are half way through the fourth series of classes. Schedule for the next series will be determined by demand. About twenty-five participants are needed to start the series. Statistics: 87 firms participating. 107 Certified Masonry Professional (CMP) certificates awarded, 76 Certified Masonry Executive (CME) certificates awarded, 27 Company Certifications awarded. Burton recognized McGee Brothers Com-pany, Holcim (US,) Gates Construction Company, TriSure, Anderson-Jones, Rob Kennerly and Jimmy Harrell for their contributions to the certification program. Promotion of the certification program to architects, owners and general contractors continues with office visits by Lynn Nash, generally accompanied by architectural representatives of as-sociate member companies. He singled out Adams Products and Giant Cement for their assistance with the calls and invited other associate firms to provide assistance. He says the promotion is paying off and the requirement for certified masons is beginning to appear in specifications. Several new certification certificates were presented. Doug presented a framed company certificate to Manning Masonry. S.M. Elmore Masonry has also earned company certifica-tion. Individual certificates were awarded to Toby Brodie (CME) Brodie Contractors, and Drew Bullock (CMP) Roanoke Cement. Additional certificates were distributed to be awarded to Misty Vick, CME, Man-ning Masonry; David Walden, CME, Metro Masonry; Jason Elmore, CME, S. M. Elmore Masonry; Dirk Gale, CMP, Frank Alston, CMP, and Juan Martinez, CMP, Brodie Contractors; Dink Mitchell, CMP, Jeremy Eudy, CMP, and John Brock, CMP, Gates Construction; Thomas Whitlow, CMP, McGee Brothers; Angie Holt, CMP, Pine Hall Brick; and Gabriel Panuco, CMP, S. M. Elmore Masonry.

John Cramer provided a safety committee report. Cramer first asked that any member of the NCMCA who had any silica testing or sampling results for cutting brick, block or stone, forward those to Tom Hayes at their earliest convenience. Hayes is work-ing to try and examine the available data as NC OSHA is working on a revised “respirator” standard and this could be valuable information.

As far as OSHA, NC continues to be pressed to increase inspections to increase its findings in 1) Serious violations 2) Increasing dollar amount of penalties and 3) Increase in the numbers of viola-tions and penalties. OSHA has the same numbers of compliance officers looking at fewer and fewer sites. Inevitably, you will be inspected more often and to higher standards.

Cramer emphasized that if a member of the NCMCA is inspected and issued a citation, please contact Tom Hayes in his office immediately. With

Convention Business Meeting Report

June 2011 NC Masonry News Page 7

Tom’s expertise and guidance, TriSure can help the members go through the process and find a much more favorable result. OSHA is now looking back 5 years instead of 3 years for Serious Violations, and this can have severe results for any contractor not taking all measures possible to minimize the impact.

In his convention report, Nash reported the 2011 Convention at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach (was attended) by about 132 (plus) individuals from 38 companies, up slightly from 2010. The 2010 convention made about $17,000. He recognized 2011 sponsors: CEMEX, Oldcastle Adams Products, TriSure Corporation, Kirby Construction Services, EZ Grout, McMahan Insurance & Employee Benefits, and Johnson Concrete Company. The 2012 meeting is at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville April 12 - 15. Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach are being con-sidered for 2013.

Nash reported that membership stands at 154 members versus 166 reported at the 2010 annual meeting. There are presently 70 associate members, 3 Life Members, and 81 contractor members.

19 firms have stepped-up for optional “Distin-guished” or “Leadership” membership status.

Bo Black presented the Eastern Regional Vice President’s Report. Two eastern region schools had winners in the recent NC SkillsUSA masonry competitions, both at Fuquay-Varina High School. The Sandhills and Coastal Chapters both continue to struggle and have presently suspended meetings. He made the observation that high school programs in the western part of the state have more enthusiasm for masonry programs than is generally the case in the east and he wants to work to change that. To that end, he expressed appreciation to several material suppliers for stepping up to provide materials for the programs at Fuquay-Varina and Clayton High Schools. Students in those programs are working with old materials and in 1960’s era facilities. He emphasized the need to provide job opportunities for students in these programs.

Chris Bruner presented the Central Region Vice President’s report. He reported on a recent visit he and Gene Graham paid to Jody Barbee’s class at Cox Mill High School, which resulted in materials donations to the program from Triangle Brick and Johnson Concrete Company. Chris says the school masonry programs are suffering with cuts in educa-tion budgets so the masonry industry needs to find opportunities to assist.

Chapter Reports: Metrolina Chapter President Chris Bruner reported they meet the second Tuesday of each month in Pineville at the Longhorn Steak-house. Attendance has improved even among ma-sonry contractors with 20-30 attending meetings.

Triad Chapter Vice President Randall Cox re-ported the chapter has about $5,679. He noted the chapter’s considerable involvement in the recent Greensboro SkillsUSA contest, particularly noting the efforts of McGee Brothers, Triangle Brick, CEMEX,

Adams, Roanoke Cement, Holcim, Essroc, and the individual efforts of Red McAdams, Randy Terry, Lee Heath, Kent and Greg Huntley, Cliff McGee, Anthony McIver, Gene King and others.

Western Carolina Chapter Vice President Wayne Starr reported they now meet at the Conover Café. They have $8,300 in the bank. Herman Hammer and Larry Kirby have been recent winners of the chapter’s Gold Roll. The chapter presented President Larry with $4,500 for their annual chapter pledge.

Raleigh Chapter Vice President Calvin Brodie re-ported they meet the first Monday each month except July and December. They have 25 to 30 attending their meetings and have $20,000 in the bank. They held their annual “Fun Raiser” in January with their Myrtle Beach Golf Tournament. The 2011 Tournament was won by the team of Danks Burton, Gary Joyner, Freddy Koontz, and Drew Bullock (all in attendance at the convention and in the meeting.)

Central Piedmont Chapter President Ashlee Moore reported they meet the second Monday of each month at Saratoga Steakhouse in Clemmons. They have $4,000.

Eastern Carolina Chapter President Tim Man-ning reported the chapter meets the last Tuesday

each month. They are emphasizing involvement with school programs and Tim recently hosted masonry students on a Manning Masonry jobsite. President Tim presented President Larry a $3,000 check for their 2011 pledge. Tim related that JKF Architecture ( John K. Farcus) included the NCMCA Certified Contractor requirement in the specifica-tions for the new Beaufort Community College Allied Health and Nursing Building. The low masonry bid came from an uncertified masonry contractor and was rejected. The project will go to the second place bidder (Manning Masonry) who is certified.

Old Business: Doug Burton said that the NC State Sigmon Scholarship Design competition is now in it’s tenth year with more than 600 students having participated. Nash, Doug Burton, Sean Varner and Ross Gary met with Assistant Professor Chad Ever-hart and architect/lecturer Jason Miller of the ASU Building Science Faculty the second week of April and developed a plan for an ASU program. The ASU program will cost about the same as the program at NC State ($3,000 annually) and will provide similar benefit to the students and to the masonry industry. An interesting note, Jason Miller finished “second” in the NC State Competition in its second

Eastern Contest For the 30th year, Oldcastle Adams Products has hosted the Eastern North Carolina High School Masonry Competition. Pictured top, left to right, Brett Hardy, Oldcastle Adams Products; Pender County High School Masonry Instructor Roland Dixon; Men’s First Place Winner, 18-year-old Junior Kalen Hansley, Pender County High School; repeat Women’s First Place Winner, seventeen-year-old Junior Amanda Tracy, Pender County High; Glenn Kanavel, Swansboro High School Masonry Instructor; and Parrish Hoff-man, Oldcastle Adams Products. Bottom, left to right, Second Place Winner, Men’s Division, Darin Nagy, Swansboro High School; Women’s Second Place Finisher Harley Fishburn, Swansboro High School; Men’s Third Place Finisher Donald Dineley, Swansboro High School; and Woman’s Third Place Finisher Kaberlin Hansley, Pender County High. Pender County High School once again won the school award for best over-all scores . The name of the Top School award is now the “Butch Hardy Award” in memory of Hardy who started the contest in 1981 in Kinston and participated in every contest since the start. Mr. Hardy passed away in April after a brief illness. Nine schools participated in the event held at Oldcastle’s W.P. Rose sales facility in Goldsboro May 13th.

Page 8 NC Masonry News June 2011

Member NewsSandhills Chapter President Mike Lanier lost

his father March 1st. Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Carlos Wayne Lanier was 69 and lived in Bunnlevel. He served 27 years in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam veteran and a member of the Army Special Forces.

Bill Parsons, who teaches the Module One safety certification class, lost his mother March 7th. Kath-ryn Parsons was 74 and lived in Harold, Kentucky.

Jimmy Wall and some 150 of his family, friends, coworkers, and customers celebrated Jimmy’s retirement after 43 years with Adams Products Company Friday evening March 11th in Cary. Lies were told and the truth was handled loose and fast.

RBD Associates’ Bruce Davis welcomed his son Rob home this week from a twelve-month tour in Afghanistan. Rob is a Captain in the U.S. Army. In other Davis family news, daughter Brooke ran in the New York City Half-Marathon on March 20th.

Winona Miller passed away March 24th in Hickory after an extended illness. Mrs. Miller was the wife of the late Ransom Miller, who owned and oper-ated Catawba Dunbrick in Hickory years ago, the mother of Dale who later ran the company, and the grandmother of NCMCA member Chris Miller of Roanoke Cement. She was 93.

Central Regional Vice President and Metrolina Chapter President Chris Bruner sends a pat-on-the-head to Triangle Brick and Johnson Concrete Company for positively responding to his recent re-quest for brick and block donations for Jody Barbee’s masonry class at Cox Mill High School.

CCMA’s Chairman of the Board, Gary Hensley, lost his father April first. The Reverend Hansel L. Hensley was 76 and lived in Weaverville. A songwriter, Reverend Hensley wrote and published

Danny Koonts Golf Winner of the 2011 Central Piedmont Chapter Danny Koonts Memorial Golf Tourna-ment was the CEMEX team of, left to right, Eddie Land, Jeff Owens, Chris Ellis, congratulated by chapter golf committee cochairman Ken Duncan, and Randy Beason. The women’s division was won by the team of Sabrina Beck, Lori Michael, Kathryn Smith, and Ashlee Moore. The annual fundraiser was held May 6th at the Olde Home Place Golf Club in Winston-Salem and cochaired by Ricky Sutphin, David Zenns, and Kenny Duncan.

year when he was a student in the College of Design. He won CCMA’s “Blockfest” competition that same year. Some 350 ASU building science students will annually be exposed to the project annually. The new program at ASU was approved.

Doug Burton, who chairs the NC State Program, will chair the ASU Program with assistance from Ross Gary.

Chad Perkins at Pompano Masonry has made contact with Clemson University about the possibility of extending the Sigmon program to that school.

New Business: On a suggestion by Gary Manning, the board made it policy to always invite the second-ary and post-secondary winners of the NC SkillsUSA Masonry Contest to participate in the Annual NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest. They will not be eligible to win unless they are employed by an NCMCA contractor member firm.

Manning, who served as head judge for the Greensboro SkillsUSA Masonry contest offered ad-ditional comments and observations about that contest. 130 projects were set up. Manning echoed Randall Cox’s comments about the Triad Chapter’s involvement, especially noting the work of Kent Huntley and McGee Brothers. Manning said, “Kent went above and beyond.”

Manning discussed NCMCA helping with the expense to send NC SkillUSA masonry champions to the National SkillUSA competition. Manning en-couraged local chapters to help with contest winner’s expense when the contestants are from their area. The board approved providing $1,000 to each to the secondary and to the post secondary NC winners if they compete in the national contest. $500 to the student and $500 to the instructor. The money will be sent as reimbursement.

The board approved the recommendation of the Certification Board of Governors that Eric Johnson serve another three-year term as the BIA repre-hensive on the Board of Governors and that David Mauney with Pyrimid Masonry in Charlotte replace Gary Joyner on the Governors for a three-year term as an NCMCA Masonry Contractor member of the Governors. Gary Joyner’s term ends in May and he will be ineligible to complete another term when he becomes NCMCA President next year.

President Larry set the next meeting of the Board for 1:00 PM September 7th at the West Wendover Courtyard in Greensboro.

numerous gospel songs. Eleanor Upton’s daughter, Barbara, and her

family, lost their home in the storms that hit north Raleigh in April.

Former Raleigh Chapter President Todd Carver died unexpectedly Easter Sunday Morning. Todd was 47 and lived in Roxboro.

Kent Cloninger, Cunningham Brick, won the $545.00 Metrolina Chapter Gold Roll in April.

Bob Gates and his team shot a 61 playing with Brad Faxon in the Wells Fargo Championship Pro-Am at Quail Hollow in May.

Mrs. John Stanfield (Stanco Masonry) is recuper-ating in rehab after a month in the hospital with a fracture and infection.

After 37 years, Jim Porter retired from Essroc Cement/Brixment June First.

Lafarge North America has announced the sale of its cement and concrete assets in the southeast United States to the Colombia-based conglomerate Cementos Argos.

Congratulations to the CEMEX team of Wayne Starr, Ray Love, C.E. Moser and Ray Hensley. They won the EZ Grout Convention Golf Tourna-ment at Myrtle Beach in April.

Thanks convention sponsors: TriSure, Oldcastle Adams Products, McMahan Insurance & Em-ployee Benefits, Johnson Concrete Company, Kirby Construction Services, EZ Grout/Grout Hog, and CEMEX.

Past President Ivey Griffin is recovering at home in Valdese from April heart surgery and complications.

North Carolina Congressman Heath Shuler was presented one of the MCAA’s Freedom and Prosper-ity Awards during the MCAA/NCMA May Legislative Conference in Washington. NCMCA Past President Calvin Brodie made the presentation.

Welcome New MembersPaul’s Masonry

Frank Paul (R1)Mount Pleasant, NC

Recruited by Ryan Shaver

Advanced Building Products, Inc.Keith Lolley (A2)Springvale, ME

Recruited by NCMCA

June 2011 NC Masonry News Page 9

“LaVene” continued from front page:of camaraderie and brotherhood seldom found in any kind of business.

“Why is the Award so significant other than for its namesake? That depends on whom you ask. The fact that the Award is so seldom given obviously makes it very special when it is received. The Upton Award is a way to recognize Associate Members for their contri-butions of time, energy, resources and other various forms of exemplary service to masonry and related fields and to the NCMCA over an extended period of time. That is a rather long and wordy sentence, but then again, the Upton Award can encompass many aspects and types of service.

“I want to tell you what the award has meant to me personally. When (then President) Danks Bur-ton was announcing the last recipient of the Upton Award in 2005, I will admit I wasn’t paying very close attention. When I finally realized what was happening, to say I was surprised is an understate-ment. The Award was something I never expected although I had thought about who the next person might be. I’ll just say this. I will always cherish the plaque that is emblematic of the Award that hangs prominently on the wall in my office, but most of all I will never forget the feeling I had at that moment. You’ve probably heard it before that “Life comes down to a few moments.” Everyone has them. For me, receiving the Upton Associate Award was one of those few moments.”

McMahan introduced past recipients present at the banquet, including 2001 recipient Danny Batten, whom he called upon to introduce the 2011 recipient.

In his remarks, Batten said, “Our honoree’s unsurpassed knowledge of the masonry industry is a product of an illustrious career that started in 1973 when he joined the Oklahoma City Chapter of CSI and served as President in 1988 and 1989. His masonry career continued as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Masonry Institute from 1977-1989. While serving in Oklahoma, he was awarded an Honorary AIA from the Oklahoma City AIA Chapter.

“In 1991, several of our prominent friends in the Carolina block industry were smart enough to recognize (Paul’s) potential when they recruited him away from Oklahoma.

“Since his arrival to the Carolinas, (Paul) has been active in ACI, CSI, AIA, and the Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards. Also, the North and South Carolina Building Officials and Inspectors Associa-tions, and he served on numerous committees for the National Concrete Masonry Association. He is a Founding Affiliate Member of The Masonry Society and recently was certified by the International Code Council as a Structural Masonry Inspector. About two years ago, in recognition of his unprecedented role in their annual masonry competitions, NC SkillsUSA made (Paul) an Honorary Life Time Member of SkillsUSA. He has always worn the Red Jacket with pride. He served on the first Board of

Governors for the NC Masonry Contractors Associa-tion Certification Program and was also the block industry’s representative for the Design Guild at NC State University.

“Serving as President of the Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association for almost 20 years, under (Paul’s) direction, the CCMA has become known as one of the most active and successful masonry promotional groups in the United States.

“With his guidance, CCMA has been a valued partner of NCMCA and has worked closely with our association on a variety of projects annually that promote our craft, our industry and our Association. He has been the best friend that North Carolina masons could have and will surely be missed in his retirement.

“But having said all that, I’m sure what (Paul) would say he is most proud of is his wife of 46 years, Jeniene, and his family. God blessed them with a son and daughter, 3 grand daughters, and they are expecting a grandson by the end of this summer. His wife describes him as being ‘pure golden.’”

Danny related his personal experiences traveling with LaVene, and his admiration for Paul’s ability to pack a mini-van. “He wouldn’t let anyone else help him pack, but, anyway, no one else would ever be able to get everything in like he could,” said Danny.

In his own remarks, LaVene thanked the As-sociation not only for the Upton recognition but also for the opportunity to join in the fellowship of the convention.

2011 marks only the eighth time the Upton Award has been presented. Past recipients are: Ray Holy-field, 1981; Billy Walker, 1985; John Cramer, 1997; Eleanor Flowers Upton, 1998; Jimmy Wall, 1999; Danny Batten, 2001; and Freddie McMahan, 2005.

School in Mint Hill last fall, where his masonry instructor was his uncle, Sam McGee. He is the son of Chris and Lori McGee, and has four bothers and two sisters. The family lives in Monroe and attends Shiloh True Light Church of Christ. Besides ma-sonry, Wriston says his hobbies are sports, especially basketball.

Started in 1971, McGee Brothers Company is based in Monroe, NC with branch offices in both Carolinas. The firm is a recognized leader in ma-sonry innovation and counts numerous company employees and mangers as champions of various state and national masonry competitions over the years.

As the contest winner, Wriston McGee was pre-sented the “David R. Sigmon Award” for top score, $600 in cash and a wheelbarrow full of tools.

Contest Chairman Gary Joyner noted McGee’s exceptional high score despite the short duration of the contest. “This was a really hard project, especially with the two-hour time limit.”

NCMCA members provided approximately $7,000 worth of tools and cash, which was divided among all the contestants. Members also donated equip-ment, labor and materials.

Contestants, volunteers and spectators enjoyed perfect weather and hamburgers, and hotdogs prepared by Danny Batten, Donnie Howard and the Lafarge cooking crew.

NCMCA President Larry Kirby expressed apprecia-tion to host Custom Brick & Supply Company, the NCMCA Raleigh Chapter, and to all of the sponsors of the contest for helping make the event a success.

Our appreciation to the following firms:Hosts: Custom Brick & Supply Company, Raleigh

Chapter NCMCAMaterials: Lee Brick Company, Custom Brick &

Supply, AmerimixMeal & Refreshments: Custom Brick & Supply,

Lafarge North AmericaFinancial Sponsors:$650: Raleigh Chapter$500: BIA-Southeast Region, Eastern Carolina

Chapter, Hanson Brick, Metrolina Chapter, Western Carolina Chapter

$250: CEMEX, Central Piedmont Chapter, Fay Block Materials, Moxley Masonry, Triad Chapter, Tucker Kirby Company

$200: Giant Cement Company, Holcim (US), Masonry Unlimited of Cherryville

$150: Beam Construction Company, Brodie Con-tractors, Inc., Essroc Cement, Robert O. Helms Co, Inc., Stonehenge Masonry, Inc.

$100: 4200 Estimating, Inc., Arrow Equipment. LLC, East Coast Restoration & Waterproofing, Inc., Joyner Masonry Works. Kirby Construction Services, Inc., LPS Enterprises, Inc., Master Masonry, McMa-han Insurance & Employee Benefits, Oldcastle Ad-ams Products, P & D Architectural Precast, Pinnacle Masonry, Pyramid Masonry Contractors, Statesville Brick Company, W. P. Sutton Brick & Supply Inc, Whitman Masonry

$75: RBD Associates, Land of the Sky Chapter, NCMCA

$50: Wire BondTool Donation: New South Construction Supply,

Triad Rental & SupplyEquipment: Ahern Rentals, Brodie ConstructionContest Committee: Gary Joyner, Chairman;

Freddy Koontz, Head Judge; Ashlee Moore, Leland Eckard, Doug Burton, Danks Burton, Grant Fisher, Bo Black, Steve Frazier, Gary Manning

The 2012 contest is set for May 19th. A contest host is solicited.

“Contest” continued from page 10:

Next Board of Directors Meeting:Wednesday September 7, 20111:00 PM - Courtyard by MarriottW. Wendover Ave. Greensboro

N

Post Office Box 3463Hickory, NC 28603-3463

Page 10 NC Masonry News June 2011

This issue sponsored by:

McGee BrothersClaim Top Spots

RALEIGH, NC – Seventeen-year-old Wriston Mc-Gee, an apprentice with McGee Brothers Company in Monroe, has won the “David R. Sigmon” Award and is the Champion of the 2011 NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest. McGee finished first in a field of seventeen apprentices from seven NCMCA member firms at the May 21st contest held at Custom Brick & Supply Company in Raleigh.

Rounding out the top-five: second-place Kale Hallman of McGee Brothers; third-place, Landon Huntley, McGee Brothers; fourth-place, 2010 defend-ing champion Cory Huneycutt, Paul’s Masonry; and fifth-place, Lamar O’Neal, Brodie Contractors.

Top-five scores ranged from 153 to 171 points out of a possible 180.

Contestants were given two hours to complete a predetermined project later scored for “plumb,” “level,” “square & range,” “measurement,” “correct design,” “manipulation,” “tooling and neatness,” “full joints,” and “production.”

New Champion Wriston McGee is enjoying a good run as a competitive apprentice. He also won the championship at the 57th Annual NC Department of Labor State Fair Masonry Apprentice Completion in October.

McGee graduated from the Shiloh Vocational

Winners, 2011 NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest Bottom left to right, fifth-place finisher, Lamar O’Neal, Brodie Contractors; fourth-place finisher Cory Huneycutt, Paul’s Masonry; and third-place finisher, Landon Huntley, McGee Brothers. Top, left to right, Contest Chairman Gary Joyner; 2011 Champion Wriston McGee, McGee Brothers; second-place finisher Kale Hallman of McGee Brothers; Contest Head Judge Freddy Koontz; and NCMCA President Larry Kirby.See “Contest” page 9