Alejandro Guzman wins 2007 SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500® Texas Regional

Words: Al Arreguin
/Public/News/20070814160000-1.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® will be held Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Nevada.">
The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® will be held Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Nevada.

All eyes were on the great state of the Texas for the first ever 2007 SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500® Texas Regional hosted by TXI, Inc.

Everything was decided August 11, when mason Alejandro Guzman, with Lucia Masonry, Houston, TX, and his tender Felipe Cerros, took first place with a brick count of 584. This performance was good for $2,000 in cash, a Marhsalltown package and other prizes. Alejandro has also won a seat at the, "big show," he and his tender are off to Las Vegas on January 23, to compete in the 2008 SPEC MIX Bricklayer National for over $150,000 in cash and prizes. Congratulations to them and everyone involved in making TXI’s competition successful.

"This was TXI’s first year to participate in the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 Regional program and what an awesome experience for us! We were thrilled with the interest and enthusiasm of the bricklayers and at the level of intensity of the competitors. There is no doubt that this event generates a lot of focus on our masonry industry as well as showcases the talent of these craftsmen," said Barb Schmidt, TXI, Sales Manager SPEC MIX Products.

SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 Texas Regional Results:

1st Place
Mason: Alejandro Guzman
Tender: Felipe Cerros
Brick Count: 584
Company: Lucia Masonry
Location: Houston, TX

Craftsmanship
Mason: Rafael Vasquez
Tender: Santos
Company: Dee Brown, Inc.
Location: Dallas, TX

2nd Place
Mason: Lupe Marquez
Tender: Michael Pennington
Company: Dee Brown, Inc.
Location: Dallas, TX

3rd Place
Mason: Rafael Vasquez
Tender: Santos
Company: Dee Brown, Inc.
Location: Dallas, TX
The Craft of Brick Repair: The Difference Between a Coverup and a Solution
June 2026

More often than not, you can walk up to a wall, observe its condition, and get an entire timeline story. How it was built, how footers were set, and where water is routed. After years in the field, I’ve come to understand that brick repair isn’t maintenan

The Benefits of Concealed Lintel Systems in Modern Masonry
June 2026

When looking at iconic structures built throughout history, one of the most recognizable architectural elements is the masonry arch. These arches are not only aesthetically and visually pleasing but also serve as an engineering solution for structural sta

What’s New With CMU: A Closer Look From Ken Rathbun
June 2026

Anyone who’s spending time around CMU jobs today can see the shift. Concrete masonry isn’t just the backup wall; it is the finish on more projects. Thanks in part to the CMU check-off program and a broader focus on design and education, architects and own

Brick & Masonry Aesthetics: Managing Color, Consistency, and Architectural Expectations
June 2026

Brick and masonry remain among the most admired architectural materials in the world because of their natural beauty and authenticity. Masonry possesses depth, variation, texture, permanence, and character that synthetic cladding systems often struggle to