May 2014: Chairman's Message

Words: Mark KempMay 2014

Chairman's Message

Be a Voice in Your Industry

Mark KempMark Kemp Chairman Mason Contractors Association of America Mark@superiormasonry.com

I received an email in March on updating the membership on several items. One of the things talked about was supporting the MCAA PAC fund, and then it listed the members who pledged and donated. First I would like to thank all of the members who have donated and, secondly, apologize because one name was not on the list. That’s right: My name was not listed. At first, I thought Jeff had made a mistake. But, no, he was correct; I hate when he is right. The point is, we all get so busy between our personal lives and running our business, we often forget to follow through on some very important things. I assure you I will be making my contribution by the time you read this.??Like all the special interest groups spending huge dollars to fight their battles, the MCAA must arm its war chest to fight for the masonry industry.??If you have not yet donated, please do so soon. One battle we are fighting presently is OSHA’s proposed new rule on silica. This rule, if passed, would cut the PEL in half. I spent a day in Washington, D.C., listening to the arguments from both sides. The MCAA, along with our coalition partners, is spending significant dollars and resources. We believe the present ASTM standard on silica should be part of the specification in building projects. OSHA would be better served by educating the contractors on silica, rather than trying to enforce something that is unattainable. Contractors realize the most valuable asset they have is their employees, and that their safety must come first. We are blessed to have The Keelen Group guiding our effort. On May 20 - 22, you as members can voice your concern on silica, the Check Off Program and other important issues facing your business. As I have stated in the past, the time is now for both the Check Off and silica.??I cannot remember two bigger issues, ever. Please make every effort to attend the MCAA Legislative Fly-In. Help yourself by being a voice in your industry. You can register online at www.masoncontractors.org. I look forward to seeing you at this very important event. After spending a day in D.C. for the silica hearings, I returned home for one day only, and then left for Tampa to meet with Canadian Contractors. It was an interesting meeting with the CMCA, and I was grateful for the invitation. They made us feel very comfortable. Jeff and I had dinner the first night with John Blair, the executive director, Kerry Donaghey, the president and the rest of the staff. During our meetings, it was interesting to hear their concerns about what has happened to the United States and how they view our political system. We shared ideas about our two organizations and talked about the future of the masonry industry. One of the big concerns they have is the lack of increased productivity and the effects this has against competing systems. We attended their board meeting the next day, and gave them an update on what the MCAA was working on.??I invited them to attend our annual convention in Las Vegas and to attend our Masonry Symposium of Ideas. I spent the next Monday through Wednesday in Las Vegas with the rest of the MCAA. Monday night, we had a great meeting with Extreme Forklift, who not only have decided to be a partner, but also want to get involved with the MCAA. The executive officers had our wrap-up meeting with Hanley Wood for the 2014 convention. We then discussed Masonry Madness and attaining more space out in the Gold Lot. Lastly, I want to give you a quick update on the MCAA Masonry Foundation.??We have finalized the key regional people who will go out and promote the five-year pledges needed.??Eventually, someone will contact you to discuss making a five-year pledge; please dig deep into those pockets. There is a saying it is better to give than receive, but in this case, you get both. By giving you are getting a return on your future. Return to Table of Contents
About: Chairman’s Message
Hines Market Square
September 2026

Hines Market Square, now known as Aris Market Square, is a mixed-use, multifamily development located in downtown Houston. The architect on this project, Ziegler Cooper, is known for reshaping the urban landscape. In keeping with their vision, the buildin

Dawn Kornegay
Case Study
Brick Clay Brick Residential
Read More
Making Old Brickwork Look New Again
September 2026

Brickwork is built to last, but mortar isn’t. Over time, exposure to moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, and everyday wear causes joints to crack, crumble, and even recede. What starts as a cosmetic issue can quickly turn into a structural concern if left unadd

Mackenzie Claassen
MAP Partner
Sponsored
Read More
Why Joint Profiles Matter In Masonry Restoration
September 2026

For generations, masonry structures have been defined not only by the brick, block, or stone used in construction, but also by the mortar joints that tie everything together. Whether restoring a historic brick facade, repairing natural stone veneer, or re

Paul Bender
Technical Talks
Joint Reinforcement Jointers Restoration
Read More
Designed for the Way Contractors Work Today
September 2026

Every piece of equipment tells a story about the challenges contractors face. For more than 30 years, the EZG Manufacturing team has listened to those stories—through customer relationships, job site visits, dealer feedback, a

Abigail Spung
Manufacturing Efficiency
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →