Chairman's Message: BLINK OF AN EYE AND YOU’RE OUT THE DOOR

Words: Dick Dentinger

In college, I was general manager of the university radio station. A perk of being the manager was that I assigned myself a choice shift as a disc jockey. It was a hoot. We all tried foolish ways to stand out in our shows. A silly thing I did was when I signed off at the end of my shift, I’d say, “and remember…if I don’t see you in the future…I’ll see you in the pasture.” I’m embarrassed now when thinking of how ridiculous that sounds. However, apparently not so embarrassed that I wouldn’t share it with all of you. Looking back now, at the time I didn’t have a clue where my life would lead me or how parts of my past would play such a strong role in shaping my life and career.

My parents spent their professional lives as mason contractors. They represented the hard-working American entrepreneurial spark that flashes up and down almost every street in our country. They worked long hours and grew a business. Much of their social life was centered around their many friends in the industry, which included MCAA contractors and suppliers from all over the country. Having been involved with MCAA since the mid-1960s, MCAA was talked about as if it were a local sports team while growing up in the Dentinger household. It continued through my teen years and especially when my dad was on the MCAA board through the mid-1980s. As a result, we’ve always been devout believers in the value of MCAA. We hadn’t simply drunk the Kool-Aid; MCAA was more or less infused into the Dentinger genes.

Our family chose to be active in MCAA to network with other contractors in hopes of learning from their experience and expertise. Secondly, we believe in the obligation to give back to our industry and leave it in a solid position for those who follow us. Lastly, it gives us an opportunity to reciprocate the networking experience for anyone interested in tapping into our experience and knowledge. It is for these reasons, and my incredible respect for all of the previous and current active MCAA members and staff who have watched out for this association decade after decade, that I have considered it an incredible honor to represent MCAA in my time serving on the board.

During eight years on the board, traveling to industry events, meetings, trips to Washington, DC, workforce events, and so on, I’ve been blessed to build strong friendships with previous board members. I’ve served alongside Paul Odom, Paul Oldham, and Larry Vacala before me. Each of these men has immensely impacted my life and career. In addition, the newer board members who have joined in recent years and make up our current fearsome foursome have also been a treasure in my time on the board. My wingman, Kent Huntley, will take my place as your new MCAA chairman. Kent has influenced me greatly and has become a close friend and ally. He is a calm, smart, and cool decision-maker. In fact, he shares a skillset with the rest of our board of Paul Cantarella and Melonie Leslie, in that each of them is constantly focused on building people up and encouraging growth. I hope I have impacted Kent, Paul, and Melonie as much as they have influenced me in our work together. MCAA’s newest board member will be Kent Bounds. Kent’s father, Mackie Bounds, is an iconic MCAA giant. Kent shares many of his father’s and his mother’s leadership skills, and we are fortunate to have him added to the roster.

Just as it has in all previous decades, our board represents a wide spectrum of masonry contractors. We represent multiple generations, regions of the country, with different specialties ranging from commercial work, residential, restoration, union, or open shop. Whether we employ a crew of a few dozen or a few hundred, we reflect and represent the voices of all members of MCAA.

You should be reassured that each of us on the board has been genuinely keen on how every decision we make impacts our membership and the prospects of MCAA. I’m proud of the work of the entire board of regional vice presidents and committee members, and MCAA staff who have been doing so much for our masonry industry.

Movers and shakers from MCAA’s early days would be pleased to know how well MCAA maintained its vision to advance masonry. They’d be impressed with how MCAA works together with our industry partners. Our industry is no longer fragmented into protective silos of efforts. Instead, we’re united and efficiently take on our challenges. The MCAA's success has blossomed from decades of efforts by many. However, I must share that I’ve witnessed firsthand how fortunate we are to have had the leadership of MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz. He and his MCAA team have unity and cohesion in their daily mission to ensure MCAA is perceived as the voice of the mason contractor.

I’m happy to share the best kept secret I and others have from our time volunteering as active MCAA members. The secret is that what you get back in return is tenfold what you contribute of your time and effort. The value of the friendships and mentorship I have made at MCAA is incalculable. I am forever grateful for your friendship and influence on my life. Communicating with you all in these monthly columns has been a joy, and I thank you for indulging my tendency to reflect on personal experiences, as it is my way of expressing the strengths of MCAA. So, as I sign off and walk off to the pasture, as it were, Sheryl and I still hope to see you in the future as the MCAA Kool-Aid remains infused in our makeup.

Chairman's Message: BLINK OF AN EYE AND YOU’RE OUT THE DOOR

About: Chairman’s Message

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