Wriston McGee Repeats!GOLD HILL, NC – Eighteen-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 2012 NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest. McGee finished first in a field of twenty-eight apprentices from 15 NCMCA member firms at the May 19th contest hosted by Johnson Concrete Company at sister-company Caro-lina Stalite’s Ben Ketchie Park in Gold Hill.

Wriston McGee is the first person in the thirty-year history of the contest to win the contest more than once. He was Contest Champion at Custom Brick & Supply Company in Raleigh last year.

Rounding out the top-ten respectively: Landon Huntley, Huntley Brothers Company; Julio Lopez, Gates Construction Company; Drew Dennis, Brodie Contactors; Jordan Hartsell, Brodie Contractors; Justin Biddix, Kirby Construction Services; Darion

This Issue Sponsored by

See Page Three

In this Issue:

Message from the President Page 2New Officers Elected Page 2Meet the New President Page 4Butch Hardy Joins Upton List Page 4Hardy Memorial Contest Results Page 4Welcome New Members Page 5Mountain Contest Results Page 5New Contest in Kannapolis Page 5Convention Meeting Report Pages 6 MCAA Legislative Conference Page 7Member News Page 8Koonts Memorial Golf Page 8Dates to Note Page 9NC SkillsUSA Contest Results Page 10

Agular, Brodie Contractors; Kale Hallman, McGee Brothers; Brantly Little, McGee Bothers; and James Talley, Seagraves Masonry.

Top-ten scores ranged from 152 to 162 points out of a possible 180. A tiebreaker was required for the top-three places.

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 57th Annual NC Department of Labor State Fair Masonry Apprentice Competition in 2010, the 2011 “David R. Sigmon Award,” and the Mason Contrac-tors Association of America “International Masonry

June 2012 Vol. 38 No. 2

The Newsletter of The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association

see “NCMCA Contest” continued page nine

Skills Contest Top-Ten Left to right, top row, Contest Head Judge Freddy Koontz; Drew Dennis, Brodie Contractors, Fourth Place; Julio Lopez, Gates Construction Company, Third Place; Wriston McGee, McGee Brothers Company, 2012 Champion; Landon Huntley, Huntley Brothers Company, Second Place; Jordan Hartsell, Brodie Contractors, Fifth Place; and NCMCA President and Contest Master of Ceremonies, Gary Joyner. Bottom, left to right, James Talley, Seagraves Masonry, Tenth Place; Brantly Little, McGee Bothers, Ninth Place; Kale Hallman, McGee Brothers, Eighth Place; Darion Agular, Brodie Contractors, Seventh Place; and Justin Biddix, Kirby Construction Services, Sixth Place.

MasonrySystems.orgNCMCA.com

Page 2 NC Masonry News June 2012

Sign of a Professionalwww.ncmca.com

Gary Joyner, CME, PresidentJoyner Masonry Works, Inc., Greenville, NC

Ashlee K. Moore, CMP, President ElectKoontz Masonry, Lexington NC

Robert Gates, CME, Secretary TreasurerGates Construction Company, Mooresville, NC

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

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

James “Bo” Black, Eastern Vice Pres.Carolina Masonry Unlimited, Fuquay-Varina, 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 2012

.........well.......I am a bit disturbed at the flood of non-renewing members that I saw a couple of weeks ago. Yeah, I know times are tuff (!@#$%^&*()+_)(*&^%$#@ ) but, just stop and think about it. The average dues paying member is paying equal to about what 3 tanks of gas cost.

I mean really......... If you don’t understand it, OUR association is

about promoting OUR great industry in OUR great state of North Carolina. We have full time staff that promotes masonry five days a week, four weeks a month, and twelve months a year. That is pretty good return on three tanks of fuel.

A Word from the PresidentI think the members take it personally when com-

panies drop out. All that means is they are getting the benefit of the association without paying.

Go ahead and send your money in and feel good about the way you make a living........I promise you we are trying to make it better.

Please make it a point to attend the September 5th board meeting. After 35 years, we are changing the format of the meeting. You will learn first-hand how some of our promotional activities are conducted, among other changes.

- Gary Joyner, CME President

New Leadership Officers for the 2012-2014 term were elected at the April Annual Convention in Asheville, NC. Left to right, new president Gary Joyner, Joyner Masonry Works, Greenville, NC; Western Regional Vice President Don Caldwell, C & R Masonry, Candler, NC; President-Elect Ashlee K. Moore, Koontz Masonry, Lexington, NC; out-going president and Board Chairman Larry Kirby, Kirby Construction Services, Conover, NC; Secretary-Treasurer Bob Gates, Gates Construction Company, Mooresville, NC; and Chris Bruner, Central Regional Vice President, Gates Construction Company, Mooresville, NC. Not pictured, James “Bo” Black, Carolina Masonry Unlimited, Fuquay-Varina, NC, Eastern Regional Vice President. Joyner is the first to repeat as NCMCA president, having also been president for the 1987-1989 term. Moore is the first female and the first third-generation NCMCA president-elect. Her grandfather, the late Belton Koontz, was president in 1976-77, and her father, Freddy Koontz, was president for the 1998-2000 term. Larry Kirby is the first out-going president to be presented the newly created “Glenn W. Sipe Presidential Service Award,” named to honor NCMCA’s first president elected in April 1974. Mr Sipe, now 91 years old, was present for the installation of officers and the presentation of the new award.

TriSure CorporationOldcastle Adams Products

McMahan Insurance & Employee Benefits

Johnson Concrete Company

RBD & AssociatesKirby Construction

ServicesEZ Grout Corporation

CEMEX

Thanks Convention Sponsors!

June 2012 NC Masonry News Page 3

The Carolinas’ Specialist in Rebar, Wire Mesh, Caulking, Waterproofing, Stucco, EIFS, and all Concrete and Masonry Accessories.

• COLUMBIA, SC 803-791-8700

• GREENVILLE, SC 864-269-7007

• GARNER, NC 919-662-9012

• CHARLESTON, SC 843-760-0780

• COLFAX, NC 336-992-0237

• MYRTLE BEACH, SC 843-236-6447

• CHARLOTTE, NC 704-358-9797

• HARDEEVILLE, SC 843-784-1580

www.newsouthsupply.com

Going Green (and Cheap!)At the April Business Meeting, it was determined the NCMCA quarterly newsletter, North Carolina Masonry

News, should be published and distributed electronically beginning with the June 2012 issue. On-line distribution will save the Association (and the newsletter sponsors) money, and make it possible

to provide the publication “in color.” Our appreciation to New South Construction Supply for making this first electronic issue of North

Carolina Masonry News possible. Comments? Let us hear from you: information@ncmca.com

Page 4 NC Masonry News June 2012

The twenty-second president of NCMCA was also the tenth president of the Association. When he was elected at the April Convention, Gary Joyner became the first person to hold the presidency for a second term.

Gary grew up in Goldsboro with one brother, six years older. At twelve, he participated in the Soap Box Derby Race for two years. The first year, he won “best design” and was half-a-car-length from going to Akron, Ohio to compete nationally. Although he was unsuccessful in the next year’s race, he once again won “best design” with the same car.

Our new president is an Eagle Scout who also earned the Scouting “God and Country Award” and is a member of the “Order of the Arrow.”

Gary says, “My junior and senior year in high school, my camera was my ticket out of class as I was chief photographer for the yearbook.”

He enrolled at East Carolina University in 1971, majoring in education in the Industrial Arts Depart-ment. “I was on the road to become a wood-shop teacher. I guarantee you my kids would have won at the SkillsUSA contest!” he says.

He recalls, “During college years I took a sab-batical and answered an ad in the paper for a construction laborer. The job just happened to be a residential brick mason needing a wheelbarrow driver. I was qualified and was good at it. During the

same time, I was a professional clogger that traveled the east coast entertaining at bluegrass festivals. In 1974, at the “Take It Easy Ranch” in Callaway, Md., I met Shelly Anderson. Married her six months later at a campground in Greenville with a bluegrass band at our side.”

Gary says he went back to school for a while and decided teaching secondary education was “a little confining.” He went to work for a construction company in charge of the masonry division (“myself and a laborer”). He left after a year.

Joyner Masonry Works began in February 1978 doing residential masonry. Son Chris was born four months later. Gary says, “Brick veneer houses and masonry fireplaces with chimneys put food on our table for the next several years. Nathan came along in 1981. We built our first house the next year.....had a fireplace in the kitchen!”

About this time, Gary became involved in the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association. He says, “This was also the start of a transition from residential masonry to commercial masonry. Becoming more involved in this Association was the single most turning point of my career. The knowledge gained from associating with contractors from different areas of the state was immeasur-able. In 1987, I was elected president of this great Association.”

Joyner Masonry Works has obtained the desig-nation of “NCMCA Certified Masonry Contractor” and both Joyner and his son Chris, the firm’s Vice President in charge of field operations, have earned Certified Masonry Executive status in the NCMCA Ma-sonry Contractor Certification Program. Gary Joyner was instrumental in developing the Association’s certification program and served on the program’s first governing board.

Joyner Masonry Works specializes in institutional and commercial masonry construction and has participated in many high-profile projects, including jobs at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, Duke University and East Carolina University.

Gary takes pride in son Chris’s work with Joyner Masonry Works and that “son Nathan has his own shingle with a ‘Dr.’ in front of his name.”

Gary and Shelly have four grandchildren and make their home in Greenville, NC. He says, “Life is Good...”

Indeed.

New President Visits “Butch Hardy” Contest For the 31st year, Oldcastle Adams Products has hosted the Eastern North Carolina High School Masonry Competition. For the third year in a row, Pender County High School Senior Amanda Tracy (fourth from left) won “Top-Female-Score,” and for the second year in a row, Pender County High School Senior Kalen Hansley (second from left) won “Top-Male-Score.” Finish-ing in Second Place was Joshua Whitman (first from right) of Southern Wayne High School, followed in Third Place by Matthew Greenough (third from right) of Pender County High. For the eleventh year in a row, Pender County High School won the School Team Award. In the photograph, left to right, Brett Hardy, Adams Products Company; Hansley; Parrish Hoffman, Adams Products Company; Tracy; NCMCA President Gary Joyner; Greenough; Pender County high School Masonry Instructor Roland Dixon; and Whitman. In 2011, the contest was named in memory of H.A. “Butch” Hardy who started the contest in 1981 in Kinston and participated in every contest since the start until he passed away in April 2011 after a brief illness. Eight schools and 46 students competed in the event held at Oldcastle’s W.P. Rose sales facility in Goldsboro May 4th.

Herman “Butch” Hardy Remembered

ASHEVILLE – The late Herman A. “Butch” Hardy, who passed away in April of 2011 shortly after retir-ing from Adams Products Company, was named the ninth recipient of NCMCA’s prestigious Eleanor Flowers Upton Award at the 2012 NCMCA Convention Banquet April 14th.

A large contingent of Adams Products Company employees, including retired past Upton Award re-cipient Jimmy Wall, were present at the banquet to honor Mr. Hardy. Unfortunately, Butch’s son, Brett, who was slated to receive the plaque on behalf of his family, and his wife Gina were involved in a traffic accident in route to Asheville, and were unable to be present for the presentation. Neither was seri-ously injured.

The Upton Award, first presented in 1981 to Ray Holyfield of The Riverton Corporation, is awarded to an associate member of NCMCA who demonstrated exceptional long-term service and commitment to NCMCA and to the masonry indus-try. The selection committee, made up of past NCMCA presidents and Up-ton Award recipients, accepts letters of nomination generated by the local chapters of NCMCA.

The chairman of the 2012 Upton Award Commit-tee, Freddie McMahan introduced NCMCA President Gary Joyner, a close personal and business associate

Meet the New President

Butch Hardy

June 2012 NC Masonry News Page 5

Mountain Contest In March, the NCMCA Land of the Sky Chapter held their Annual High School Masonry Contest at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock. For the second year in a row, Tuscola High School senior Sam Cochran claimed First Place. Top, left to right, NCMCA President Larry Kirby; Head Judge Michael Rogers; Brevard High School instructor Norman Allison; Second Place Finisher Gus McCall, Brevard High School; Cochran; Tuscola High School instructor Eric Sollie; and NCMCA Western Regional Vice President Don Caldwell. Bottom, left to right, Chapter Vice President Steve Stout; Fifth Place Finisher Tyler South-erland, Tuscola High School; Third Place Finisher Erik Evans, Tuscola High School; Fourth Place Finisher Brian Lovelace, West Henderson High School; and Chapter President Gary Kitchen. Twenty students from four western North Carolina High Schools competed. CEMEX provided a hotdog and hamburger cookout for everyone attending.

Welcome New MembersCarolina Ceramics Brick Company

Scott Wilson (A1)Columbia, SC

Recruited by Chris Bruner

Huntley Brothers CompanyKent Huntley (R2)

Monroe, NCRecruited by NCMCA

Jenkins Cleaning Service, Inc.Jerome Jenkins (A1)

Raleigh, NCRecruited by Raleigh Chapter

Cabarrus County Building Industry Association Contest CCBIA held its first annual high school ma-sonry student contest on March 31st at the Lowes parking lot in Kannapolis. Twenty-eight students from surrounding counties participated as a practice session for the NC SkillsUSA Masonry State and Regional Contests at Greensboro in April. Top, left to right, CCBIA President Randy Pless; Second Place Finisher Brenton Austin of Central Cabarrus High School; First Place Finisher Daniel Furr of Mount Pleasant High School; Mike Waite, Executive Director of the Charlotte Chapter of the Nation Association of the Remodeling Industry; and Ryan Shaver, contest organizer, Morrison Brothers. Bottom, left to right, Fifth Place Finisher Darion Aguiar, West Stanly High School; Fourth Place Finisher Dallas McSheehan of Central Cabarrus High School; and Third Place Finisher Drew Dennis of West Stanly High School.

of Mr. Hardy, who said, “Butch grew up on a farm in Lenoir County in the township of Hugo. He spent a lot of time looking at the south end of a north bound mule. Basically there was not much automation in the late 50’s and 60’s on the Hardy farm. He went to ECU, then got drafted and made his way to Viet Nam. The real luck is he made it home. Fred Adams hired him as a bookkeeper in the early 70’s. He then became plant manager at the Kinston plant. Twenty years later he was promoted to president, Mr. Adams doing the honors. Long story short, Butch was able to take his farming work ethic and combine it with hiring the right personnel to achieve the success Adams Products has seen over the years. Butch was a fierce competitor with his colleagues. At the same time he was a fierce promoter of the masonry industry as a whole. Butch, along with such people as Charles Newsome, Jimmy Harrell, Jack Glass and many others were as fine of promoters as there were in the industry.”

Butch Hardy worked with Adams Products Com-pany for thirty-eight years, serving as Company President for seventeen years. During his career Butch received numerous awards, including: Na-tional Masonry Instructors Hall of Fame; NC Ma-sonry Instructors Association Mason Man Award; Outstanding Service to the NC Mason Contractors Association; recipient of the NC State University School of Design’s Wings on Wings award recogniz-ing significant contributions to the School of Design Community, and numerous other awards from the National Concrete Masonry Association. 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 more than thirty years, a contest that is among the longest running masonry skills contests in the country.

2012 marks only the ninth 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; Freddie McMahan, 2005; and Paul LaVene, 2011.

Page 6 NC Masonry News June 2012

A combined Board of Directors and Annual Busi-ness Meeting was held in Asheville on April 14th. The following is a summary of that meeting.

Treasurer Ashlee Moore, presented the financial reports: 2011 Year End: Total assets $612,821.10 in-cluding liabilities. Interest income 2011: $6,017.25. 2011 operating expense approximately $162,574.67. We ended 2011 with a loss of $11,543.31.

Total assets as of March 31, 2012: $627,076.72 including liabilities. $58,155.19 in the regular checking account and $567,077.42 is in interest bearing accounts. We have liabilities of $71,566.40. The Association Executive projects a 2012 year-ending loss in the range of $35,000.

Freddie McMahan presented a report on the Association’s health and benefits program, saying, “Currently we have 13 member groups with some type of group benefits. We have 12 with group medical benefits with a snapshot premium of $1.1 million and 312 Employees being covered. That 312 number is employee-only but the premium includes dependent cover-age as well. In January 2012, we had 340 employees covered. In January of 2011, the snapshot included almost 600 covered employees indicating a sharp decline. I have mentioned in past reports that the number of employees covered, especially in the groups of 1 to 100 is much more important to us than the premium.

“We still have a small amount of ancillary and/or supplemental plans such as dental, short-term disability and group life. These will become much more important to us in the future as will individual medical plans. I have been saying for some time that with Health Care Re-form, individual health insurance and supplemental group products would account for a much greater percentage of the total health insurance premium. I attended a meeting with BCBS last week and one officer with Blue Cross told us what their projections were for 2014. It’s very similar to what I have been saying for some time. North Carolina will have an exchange where individuals will go to purchase insurance or either pay a fine. Blue Cross has to be prepared to sell as much of that insurance as possible and they will be. Agents must also be prepared to sell as much of it as possible. He went on to say that the overall average increase in the price of individual health insurance is projected by Blue Cross to be 25% to 35% in 2014. But there is a major problem with this scenario. If an individual is mandated to purchase health insurance and does not do so, the penalty the first year is only $95. In order to keep the premium affordable, young healthy people must purchase a policy to help lower the premium for older and sometimes unhealthy individuals. The premium for young adults will probably increase by 100% since there can only be 2 premium rates, one being 150% higher than the other. Therefore,

Convention Meetings Report people 55 and older will probably be happy with their premium while a 22 year old will not. Many young adults will not purchase the policy, choosing to pay the fine instead. You can use your own imagination as to what the result will be. Of course, this will all take place after the election and any subsidizing cost born by the government will of course be paid for by the tax payers. The penalty for businesses that don’t offer group health to their employees will be $2,000/employee per year, which is less that what most employers now pay for group health.

“Recently the Supreme Court conducted 3 days of hearings or 6 hours concerning the constitutional-ity of the Affordable Care Act. Much of the debate centers around the mandate that individuals must purchase health insurance and that companies must make insurance available without exception. They secretly cast their votes on March 30th. Those votes can be changed before the Court announces the outcome, which is expected sometime in June. No one can say with certainty what the outcome will be or how much of the 2700 plus pages of the pack-age will be affected. The outcome will be one of the fol-lowing: 1) The mandate to purchase insurance will be held unconstitutional; 2) the law will be upheld as is; 3) The entire law could be struck down; or 4) the insurance mandate and some insurance reforms could be over-turned. There is now and will continue to be much uncertainty. We want you to know how-ever that we do appreciate your business. I have a check today for the amount of $3,000.

“Finally, there has always been a question con-cerning what is considered a part time, full time, seasonal, eligible, and etc. employee...

“By the way, the administration just recently “found” the money that will be applied to pay for the 16,000 IRS Agents that are being hired and paid to enforce the rules and regulations, and see that all the taxes, fees, and penalties are collected and paid when due. This act is one of the largest tax acts ever passed and/or administered by the US Government.”

Pete Shantz discussed a potential new strategy for offering major medical insurance for employers through a Defined Contribution Plan. The idea is that employers who either currently do not offer a group medical plan or may not be able to maintain their current program would allow employees to pay some or all of their individual medical premiums on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction. Pete also mentioned that this strategy is in its infancy stage and has not been approved or disapproved by the NC Department of Insurance, but McMahan Insurance will stay current on the subject and communicate the findings to the NCMCA members.

TriSure’s John Cramer and Heidi O’Connor reported on the Association liability and workers’ compensation program. O’Connor reported that the masonry program was at $1.4 million, and 31 participating members. While roughly the same numbers of masons were participating, the payroll

and sales estimates have continued to decline. Heidi then presented a check to NCMCA for $3,929 for advertising and support fees.

Cramer reported that the Workers Comp and commercial lines markets were showing signs of “hardening” and premiums are and would continue to increase in the foreseeable future. Average in-creases would most likely be in the 5% range for solid performing and clean accounts, while accounts with high loss ratio’s and losses that were high could see as much as 10-20% increases. While no one likes to experience an increase, the market had continued to decrease for the last 10 years, and a correction was inevitable. One effect of the hardening market is fewer insurance companies will be willing to con-sider masonry and other heavy construction trades as prospects, and it should allow the NCMCA program to grow as many markets withdraw.

Nominations Committee Chairman Gary Man-ning presented a slate of officers for the 2012-2014 term: Larry Kirby, Chairman of the Board; Gary Joyner, President; Ashlee Moore, President-Elect, Robert Gates, Secretary-Treasurer; James “Bo” Black, Eastern Regional Vice President; Chris Bruner, Central Region Vice president; and Don Caldwell, Western Region Vice President. The slate was ac-cepted by acclamation.

Certification Board of Governors Chairman Doug Burton reported on certification. Statistics: 428 individuals representing 80-some firms participat-ing. 120 Certified Masonry Professional (CMP) certificates awarded, 82 Certified Masonry Executive (CME) certificates awarded, 28 Company Certifica-tions awarded.

Doug Burton led a discussion of promotion ef-forts. In the fall, the 11th annual NC State NCMCA Sigmon Design competition was conducted. More than 600 architectural students have participated at NC State through 2011. The program was initiated at Appalachian State University in December with some forty students participating. Primary funding for the scholarship is from the Annual NCMCA State Golf Tournament.

Imani Brodie was introcuced as the new chair-man of the MCAA MasonrySystems.org committee. Imani said, “MasonrySystems.org was set up to be the ‘go to’ site for our industry. It was envisioned as being a site that can be used as a marketing tool for architects, an educational/informational tool for owners, an advertising tool for suppliers, and a networking tool for our fellow masonry profes-sionals. As of now, MasonrySystems.org receives approximately 2,000-3,000 unique hits per month. For reference, the MCAA organizational website receives approximately 3,000 unique hits PER DAY!

“Our plan of action: The overall redesign of the website will be done in phases using our in-house Information Technology department. The first phase will include a low cost, baseline redesign. The new design scheme will involve a simpler and more

June 2012 NC Masonry News Page 7

user-friendly interface and will better highlight the strengths of the website. We not only want people to visit the site; we also want them to be able to easily navigate through its pages and find the information for which they are searching. More specifically, Phase I will see a change in color scheme and layout. Later phases will see the addition of flash powered graphics and other features which are commonly found on high traffic sites. The redesign, will be a work in progress for the next few months.

“If you are interested in helping with our com-mittee or if you have ideas and thoughts to share, please feel free to contact me! (imani@brodiecon.com Office: 919-782-2482 Mobile: 919-427-2176)

Damian Lang reminded everyone of the May MCAA Masonry Industry Legislative Conference. He reported on specific successes achieved through contact with congressional representatives and encouraged everyone to become politically active.

John Cramer provided a safety committee re-port. He shared that OSHA is continuing to have a Silica emphasis program. One of the masons in the NCMCA was recently tested for silica exposure and was forwarding the results to Cramer. If the other masons who have a voluntary or a OSHA required silica monitoring test done, Cramer requested that they forward them to him so he could continue to collect this information as it may be extremely valuable as base-line data that will benefit the entire Association going forward

Scott Day added comments concerning the new crane operator standards that become effective in 2014. Forklift operators are exempt, however a clause in the standard suggests forklift operators may fall under the standard if handling suspended loads or if using a “jib.” Day is seeking clarification.

In his convention report, Nash reported 2012 convention attendance is “up” from 2011 and predicted the convention should make at least a modest profit thanks to the sponsors. He recognized 2012 sponsors who are providing $13,200: CEMEX: banquet entertainment; Oldcastle Adams Products: Education Seminar; TriSure Corporation: Thursday evening dinner & entertainment; Kirby Construc-tion Services and RBD & Associates: Spouse Event; EZ Grout: Golf Tournament and hole-in-one prize; McMahan Insurance & Employee Benefits: Friday evening President’s Reception; and Johnson Concrete Company, Saturday Continental Breakfast. For 2013, the meeting is back at Kingston Plantation April 11 to 14. 2013 is pending.

With his central office report Nash reported that membership stands at 144 members versus 154 re-ported at the 2011 annual meeting. One new mem-ber has joined since the January board meeting, and two have been dropped. Tally: 65 associate members, 5 Life Members, and 74 contractor members.

The Sigmon Memorial Scholarship account has $9,874.74 as of March 31.

Chris Bruner presented the Central Region Vice

President’s report combined with the Metrolina Chapter Report. The chapter meets the second Tuesday of each month at the LongHorn Steakhouse in Pineville and plans their annual golf tournament for Wednesday September 7, 2012 at the Mooresville Municipal Golf Course. The chapter presented their annual $3,000 pledge to the state association.

Western Regional Vice President Don Caldwell says schools programs in their area are going very well. Dennis Griffin is retireing from teaching in Hendersonville after twenty-five years. Caldwell of-fered high praise for Griffin’s service. The Land of the Sky Chapter hosted four high schools in March at for a contest in preparation for NC SkillsUSA. “Good turnout and good contestants.” Don welcomed everyone to the mountains.

President Kirby thanked Caldwell for conducting a mountain tour for convention attendees.

Chapter Reports: Land of the Sky Chapter Presi-dent Gary Kitchen reported the chapter meets the third Tuesday of most months at Beef O’Brady’s and generally have about 15 in attendance. They have about $900. He reiterated Caldwell’s com-ments about the successful high school contest and thanked President Larry for attending and assisting. He thanked CEMEX for providing lunch. The chapter makes it a priority to visit local masonry classes. He welcomed everyone to “God’s Country.”

Triad Chapter member Wayne Coleman reported the chapter has come on hard times and is hanging on by “a slim thread.” They plan to make their 2012 chapter pledge but without a fundraising project likely anytime soon, pledges beyond 2012 are in question. Looking for ideas.

Western Carolina Chapter President Wayne Starr reported they now meet at the Conover Café

the second Tuesday each month with five to fifteen attending. They have about $7,000 in the bank. They are proud to make a commitment of $1,000 annually to the new ASU Sigmon Scholarship Design program and have their 2012 $3,000 pledge check ready to send.

Raleigh Chapter Vice President Calvin Brodie reported they meet the first Monday each month except July and December. They have 25 to 30 attending their meetings and have $10,500 in the bank. Their Annual Myrtle Beach Golf Tournament is January 18, 2013. “280 days to get ready.” Brodie pointed out that Raleigh dues are higher than other chapters but include payment for monthly meeting meals. Their last meeting featured a program on the dangers of texting and driving and had eight contracting firms represented. A total of 27 indi-viduals attended. Brodie presented a $3,000 check as their 2012 chapter pledge.

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

Eastern Carolina Chapter President Tim Man-ning reported the chapter meets the last Tuesday of most every month. Earlier in the year, they raised $9,350 doing masonry for a Greenville Parks and Recreation youth facility project. In seven hours, some 62 participants laid 9,500 oversize brick, 1,600 blocks, and set precast units. Tim recognized com-panies that participated: Adams Products, Lafarge (Argos,) Holcim, Whitecap Construction Supply, W & M Brick Academy, Stone Creek Masonry, Joyner Masonry, East Carolina Masonry, Rush Construction, and Manning Masonry. Their $3,000 chapter pledge for 2012 is forth coming.

Byard Stevens, President of the Carolinas Concrete

Legislative Conference In May, industry representatives from the Mason Contractors Association of America and the National Concrete Masonry Association met with legislators in Washington, DC . More than fifty members of the two associations attended and were able to visit over 120 offices on Capitol Hill. Primary issues discussed were the NCMA check-off program, estate taxes, misclassification of employees, the alternative minimum tax, and various regulatory issues. In the photo, MCAA representatives present Maryland Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) the “MCAA Freedom and Prosperity Award.” Left to right, MCAA Vice Chairman Mark Kemp, MCAA Chairman John Smith, Senator Brown, MCAA Treasurer Michael Sutter, MCAA President Jeff Buckiewicz, Past-NCMCA President Mackie Bounds, and NCMCA President Gary Joyner. Imani Brodie, Brodie Contractors, also attending from North Carolina.

Photo by Jeff Buckiewicz

Page 8 NC Masonry News June 2012

Member News

Koonts Memorial Golf The Kirby Construction Services team has won the Annual Central Piedmont Chapter Danny Koonts Memorial Golf Tournament. Fifteen teams competed on a very warm May afternoon at the Lexington Country Club. In the photo, left to right, Golf Committee Co-Chair Ricky Sutphin, winning team members Mark Kirby, Steve Miller, Mark Nelson, and Larry Kirby, and Golf Committee Co-Chairman David Zenns. Finishing second was the team of Tim Walser, Ken Michael, Mark Michael, and Buddy Sink. The Woman’s Division winning team was Rita Koontz, Joyce Sutphin, Cheryl Gaw, and Lori Michael. A barbecue chicken dinner followed play.

Jay Baas, CPCU, AIC is joining TriSure Corpora-tion as the firm’s new Commercial Claims Manager. Jay has over 20 years of experience in multi-lines claims adjusting and management.

Dennis Griffin has announced he plans to retire from West Henderson High School in June. He has been teaching masonry for more than 26 years.

Brian Sams is the new masonry instructor at Madison High School.

Ron Griffin has retired from Pine Hall Brick Company after nineteen years.

Midge McGee and Clete Huntley, McGee Broth-ers Company, lost their sister April 13th after an extended illness. Enid Huntley Watkins was 69 and lived in Bishopville, SC.

NCMCA’s Former First Lady Deanie Kirby lost her sister April 6th, also after an extended illness. Janice Sherrill was 61 and lived in Mooresville.

Congratulations to Doby Chapman, Chris Bruner, and Danny Batten. Their team won the annual EZ Grout Convention Golf Tournament at the Grove Park Inn last month.

Pine Hall Brick has hired one new executive and announced five promotions. CPA Jack Lauer is new to Pine Hall Brick and is now Director of Finance, Ted Corvey has been promoted to Vice President of Sales, Preston McMillan has been promoted to Vice President of Technical Services, Harold Beaty is now Sales Director, Walt Steele is Paver Business Manager, and Maguin Murguia is adding the role of Customer Service Manager.

In April, NCMCA Metrolina Chapter President Chris Bruner made his first ever hole-in-one play-

ing in the Annual Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association’s College Scholarship Golf Tournament in Kannapolis. Chris hit the par three Irish Creek hole #3 with a shot of approximately 172 yards. Also playing on the Metrolina Chapter Team were Starling Johnson, Mike Weaver, and Kevin Scheele. The winners of the 2012 CCMA/ESSROC Tournament were the Hanson Brick Team of Brian Jones, Kristin Rorie, Joe Clark, and TJ Christenson. Second place went to the Wire Bond Team of Mike Ripley, Ray Love, Ken Becknell, and Steve Stroup.

Carl Moser, Sr., passed away May 24th in Hickory. He was the father of C.E. Moser (CEMEX.) Carl was a World War II veteran, serving with the Seabees in the South Pacific. Later, he started Carl Moser Masonry and was a charter member of the Western North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association. Moser was named a NCMCA “Life Member” by the Board in September of 2011. He was an internationally recognized photographer, specializing in photographs of nature and the North Carolina mountains. The family suggests memorials to St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, 2304 Springs Rd., NE, Hickory, NC 28601 or Lutheran Home West, 1265 21st Street, NE Hickory, NC 28601. (Photograph by John Setzler, Jr.)

Land of the Sky Chapter Secretary/Treasurer Clay Wheeler has a new daughter. Lakelyn Cora was born

Masonry Association, provided an update on CCMA activities including adopting a promotion program developed by the Michigan Masonry Institute, and a report on the concrete masonry industry’s progress in obtaining a “check-off” program for education, promotion and research.

Attorney Carolina Lindsey of member firm Ander-son Jones, PLLC, provided a legal update. Lindsey reported, “A new decision in the federal Eastern District of N.C. held that in Bankruptcy cases, sub-contractors’ post-petition lien filings do not violate the court’s automatic stay. Additionally, the NC General Assembly will review and vote on proposed changes to lien and bond laws but likely will not do until next year because the legislature is in a short session this year.

“Most NC employers will be required to begin using E-Verify this year to verify work authorization for new hires. Compliance deadlines are staggered depending upon the number of employees.

“New federal regulations prohibit commercial motor vehicle drivers from using hand-held cell phones for talking or texting as of 1/3/12. Viola-tions can lead to fines up to $2,750.00 per viola-tion; $11,000.00 for commercial truck and bus companies. Employers should institute policies on cell phone use by drivers to protect themselves from liability.

“Businesses that mutually agree, in a signed writ-ing, may now include legally enforceable attorney’s fees provisions in their contracts. Such a provision can require the losing party in a legal dispute to pay the actual amount of attorney’s fees of the prevailing party, up to the amount at issue.

“Employers should be aware of rules on OSHA Form 174, which now must accompany all ship-ments of hazardous chemicals. Suppliers must complete safety sheets, and employers must then update their hazard communication and training programs if new hazards are identified.

“Beginning 4/30/12, both union AND nonunion employers have to post a notice of certain employee rights related to collective bargaining on an 11 x 17 poster in a conspicuous place in the workplace.

“Many North Carolina contractors are struggling to comply with the Davis Bacon Act’s prevailing wage determinations and also successfully bid on and complete federal projects. Helpful tips for doing so include proactively obtaining information on PWDs and incorporating them into bids, sending written communications and appeals to the Depart-ment of Labor, and placing the proper mandatory ‘flow-down’ provisions in contracts to protect one’s liability in the event a lower-tier party is cited for non-compliance.”

Jim O’Connor of the Mason Contractors Associa-tion of Greater Chicago provided an overview of their association and its activities, including their own efforts to success-fully utilize promotional programs of the Michigan Masonry Institute.

Carl Moser

June 2012 NC Masonry News Page 9

Dates to Note6/24-6/30/12 48th SkillsUSA Annual Conference,

Bartel Hall – Kansas City7/8-7/11/12 National Masonry Instructors Asso-

ciation Conference, Embassy Suites Hotel, Concord, NC Convention Center

7/15-7/18/12 CCMA Annual Meeting, Marriott – Myrtle Beach

9/5/12 Board of Directors Meeting, 1:00 PM, Courtyard, Wendover Ave - Greensboro

9/12/12 Metrolina Chapter Golf Tournament, Mooresville Municipal Golf Course – Mooresville

9/12-9/14/12 MCAA Mid-Year Meeting – Park City, UT

9/13-9/18/12 The Masonry Society / MSJC Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency – Greenville, SC

9/27/12 Annual NCMCA State Golf Tournament – (details TBA)

10/15/12 59th Annual DOL State Fair Masonry Apprentice Contest – Raleigh

1/18-1/20/13 Annual Raleigh Chapter Murdell Golf Tournament – Myrtle Beach

2/3-2/8/13 MCAA Convention, World of Masonry – Las Vegas

4/11-4/14/13 NCMCA Annual Convention, Kings-ton Plantation –Myrtle Beach

4/24-4/25/13 NC SkillsUSA Masonry Contest, Coliseum – Greensboro

1/21-1/24/14 World of Masonry – Las Vegas

Apprentice Skills Challenge” (second-year division) at the World of Masonry in Las Vegas earlier in 2012. As the winner of the Gold Hill Contest, he has earned the right to represent North Carolina again at the 2013 MCAA contest.

McGee graduated from the Shiloh Vocational School in Mint Hill in 2010, 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 with branch offices in both Caro-linas. The firm is a recognized leader in masonry innovation and counts numerous company em-ployees 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 Head Judge Freddy Koontz noted the exceptional over-all quality of this year’s completed projects, despite the short duration of the contest. “With the two-hour time limit, this contest is the shortest competition around. This was a tough project to build in only two hours. They did great.”

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, hotdogs and bar-becue by the lake at Carolina Stalite’s community park. Families and other spectators were entertained with live music, children’s games, a fishing tourna-ment and tours of the world’s largest lightweight aggregate plant.

NCMCA President Gary Joyner expressed apprecia-tion to sponsoring host Johnson Concrete Company, and co-hosts, the NCMCA Central Piedmont and Metrolina Chapters, and to all of the sponsors of the contest for helping make the event a success.

Our appreciation to the following firms:Sponsoring Host: Johnson Concrete CompanyCo-Hosts: Carolina Stalite, NCMCA Central Pied-

mont Chapter, NCMCA Metrolina ChapterMaterials: Johnson Concrete Company, Morrison

Brothers, Pine Hall Brick Company, The Quikrete Companies

Meal/Refreshments: Johnson Concrete CompanyFinancial Sponsors:$1,100: Gates Construction Co.$500: Hanson Brick, McGee Brothers Company,

Metrolina Chapter, Western Carolina Chapter$250: BIA-Southeast Region, CEMEX, Central

Piedmont Chapter, Eastern Carolina Chapter, Fay Block Materials, Raleigh Chapter, The Quikrete

Companies, Triad Chapter$200: Cunningham Brick, Holcim (US), Masonry

Unlimited $150: Beam Construction, Custom Brick & Supply$100: 04200 Estimating, Inc., Brodie Contractors,

Inc., Giant Cement Company, Joyner Masonry Works, Kirby Construction Services, Koontz Masonry, LPS Enterprises, Inc., Manning Masonry, McMahan In-surance, P & D Precast, Pinnacle Masonry, Pyramid Masonry Contractors, Stateville Brick Company, Whitman Masonry

$75: Huntley Brothers Company$50: Master Masonry, Motsinger Precast Prod-

ucts, RBD Associates$25: C & R MasonryVacation Package: The Grove Park Inn Resort Tool Donation: Marshalltown Company, New

South Construction Supply, Triad Rental & SupplyEquipment: Carolina Stalite, Gates Construction

Company, Johnson Concrete Company, McGee Broth-ers Company, R.W. Moore Equipment

Contest Committee: Ashlee K. Moore, Chairman, Freddy Koontz, Head Judge, Leland Eckard, Starling Johnson, Kathryn Smith, Bob Gates, Jody Wall, Chris Bruner, Sam McGee, Doc McGee, Sabrina Beck, Ryan Shaver, and Lynn Nash

The 2013 contest is set for May 18th. Details to be announced.

“NCMCA Contest” con’t from front page:April 16th. That makes two girls.NCMCA Chairman of the Board Larry Kirby is

recovering from surgery at home. New South Construction Supply, LLC has

been named to ProSales Magazine’s Top 100 list for the fourth consecutive year. ProSales is a trade magazine for building supply companies serving the professional contractor. New South is listed as the 86th largest building supply company in the country this year. Despite the prolonged construc-tion slump, which has been going on for over four years, New South posted a 16% revenue increase in 2011. Jim Sobeck, CEO of New South Construction Supply said, “We planned on 2011 being another tough year so we added more major product lines, hired additional sales people, and began pursuing different niches within the construction market such as road and bridge repair. Our national infrastruc-ture is crumbling so we intend to capitalize on its reconstruction.” Founded in 1980 in W. Columbia, the company specializes in concrete and masonry accessories, rebar and wire mesh, waterproofing materials, landscape and hardscape products, deco-rative concrete products, stucco and EIFS, and other construction products. In recent years new South has been honored as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina and as one of the Fastest Growing Companies in South Carolina.

CCMA Summer Meeting Byard Stevens says, “Yes, it’s that time again for

the Carolina’s Concrete Masonry Association Annual Summer Meeting July 15-17, 2012. Our destination this year is the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach.

“We would also like to extend an invitation to any non-member that would like to attend at member pricing.

“Registration information will be sent out elec-tronically and also available on our website: www.ccmaonline.com.

“Sponsorship opportunities are available.“We will be holding our Second Annual Butch

Hardy Memorial Golf Tournament at Pine Lakes Golf Course in Myrtle Beach.

“Room block deadline is June 15, 2012. “We look forward to seeing you this year at

Grande Dunes, come on out and help us celebrate 66 great years. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.” Byard Stevens, CCMA Executive Director, (336) 852-2074 office, (336) 580-5457 mobile.

Certifications AnnouncedThe NCMCA Certification Program Board of

Governors approved three applications for “Certified Masonry Executive” (CME) in May:

Bill Broadway, McGee Brothers CompanyMike Prince, McGee Brothers CompanyTravis Plymell, Rush Construction Company

N

Post Office Box 3463Hickory, NC 28603-3463

Page 10 NC Masonry News June 2012

This issue sponsored by:

Justin Biddix Wins High School Contest

NCMCA partnered with the Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association, Brick Industry Association-SE, and the NC Masonry Instructors Association in April at the Greensboro Coliseum to supply materials, la-bor, equipment and judges for the 2012 NC SkillsUSA Regional and State Masonry Competitions.

Regional winners were Fernando Daniels, Warren County High School, Justin Biddix, Fred T. Foard High School; Lino Palegio, Lee Senior High School; Cody Cagle, Southwestern Randolph High School; Sam Cochran, Tuscola High School; Matthew Ramsey, Pender High School; and Alex Ossawski, Central Cabarrus High School.

The new State Champion is 18 year-old Justin Biddix of Fred T. Foard High School in Hickory, who will represent North Carolina in the National Contest in Kansas City this summer. He is the son of Jeff and Lisa Biddix.

In the photo, state finalist, back row, left to right Brent Austin, third place, Central Cabarrus High School; Central Cabarrus High School Masonry Instructor Todd Hartsell; Dallas McSheehan, fourth place, Central Cabarrus High School; Fred T. Foard High School Masonry Instructor Rick Greene; and Aaron Franssen, fifth place, Central Cabarrus High School. Bottom, left to right, Alex Ossowski, second place, Central Cabarrus High School; and new

champion Justin Biddix. Not shown, Jordan Hartsell, representing Central

Cabarrus High School, who won the post-secondary state contest and will also compete in the national competition this summer.

Fred T. Foard High School is the winner of the 2012 “Douglas Drye Award” for best over-all masonry contest performance at the Greensboro competition.

Photo courtesy of Central Cabarrus High School