Business Briefs: AIA Elects New President

MarchApril 2008
Industry News

Business Briefs: The American Institute of Architects Elects New President

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elected its 84th president: Marshall E. Purnell, FAIA. Purnell is a principal of Devrouax + Purnell Architects and Planners in Washington, D.C. He served as AIA first vice president in 2007, and prior to his election as president, Purnell was president of the AIA Washington, D.C., chapter in 2003, and Mid-Atlantic Regional Director from 2003 to 2006. MD

Elevating Masonry: Old Habits, Familiar Tools, and the Real Reason Masonry Contractors Aren’t Making the Switch

May 2026

Ask a masonry contractor how they run their jobsite, and the answer probably sounds familiar: paper logs, a flurry of texts, maybe a shared email thread. It works until it doesn’t. And yet, even as purpose-built field management software has become more a

Erin Koets

MAP Partner

The Cornerstone of Craftsmanship: Nurturing Masonry Talent Through Competition

May 2026

In the evolving landscape of skilled trades, masonry stands as a testament to enduring craftsmanship and dedication. Yet, the question of how to cultivate and showcase this vital expertise remains paramount. While the bright lights of national competition

Robert Melgaard

Resources

There’s the Typical Way to Brace a Wall. And Then There’s a Better Way.

May 2026

Wall bracing is one of the most important safety considerations on any masonry jobsite, yet it is often treated as a task that happens after the wall is built. Crews return, equipment is brought in, and time is set aside to secure walls that have already

Abigail Spung

MAP Partner

Remembering Harry McGraw

May 2026

The masonry industry has lost one of its great teachers and craftsmen with the passing of Harry Edward McGraw, who died April 26, 2026, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 93.

Dan Kamys

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