St. Louis Hosts MCAA Foreman Development Course

Words: Jeff Buczkiewicz

The MCAA's newly-redeveloped Foreman Development Course went on the road August 24th and 25th in St. Louis, MO. The course was developed and taught by Tom Vacala, Jameel Ervin, and Donnie Williams. The course was developed by masons, keeping masonry essentials at the forefront of the two-day class. Leadership skills, situational experiences, and more are covered throughout the class. 

The class has been developed for those who have the potential to become foremen and those who have been foremen within the industry for years. Everyone should leave with something new to implement at their respective organization. 

The program was created to be a continual development class, and to serve as a networking tool for foremen all over the country. A Foreman Development II Course is currently in development. Next, the class will be taught in conjunction with the Arizona Masonry Council on October 4th and 5th. After that, the class will make its World of Concrete debut in Last Vegas on January 16th and 17th. 

If you are interested in hosting the course for your company or in your area, please contact Jeff at the MCAA office by emailing jeffb@masoncontractors.org for more details. 

Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q2
June 2026

This issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk.

The Thirty-Year Mason: Ergonomics as a Retention Strategy
June 2026

In most industry circles, the conversation around the labor shortage follows a predictable script: How do we find the next generation of masons? While recruitment is vital, we often overlook the most valuable asset already on the job site: the experienced

Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma