Chairman’s Message By Mark Kemp
July brought a lot of exciting things for the MCAA as well as a lot of air miles. Let’s start with the trip to Dallas for The Masonry Foundation. It was a pleasure working with a group so dedicated to turning The Masonry Foundation from an idea into reality. We mapped out our strategic plan to raise the money needed to ensure a bright and prosperous future for the masonry industry. Read more> On Friday, August 1, 2014, the Concrete Coalition of Florida (MAF, FICAP & FCPA) hosted a campaign fundraiser breakfast at Longboat Key Club in Sarasota. In his speech, Governor Scott reviewed the successes of job creation during his term and his plans for the future. The Concrete Coalition of Florida raised over $50K for the Governor's re-election campaign.
For the fourth year in a row, the Masonry Association of Florida (MAF) was a co-location partner with the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) at the Southeast Builders Conference in Orlando, Florida. The show was held at the Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse and hosted close to 3000 builders and construction associates. The MAF through the Masonry Education Foundation (MEF) provided 11 continuing education courses to SEBC attendees. Architects, engineers and home builders took part in classes about the MAF PNNL Energy research, Preventing Moisture Penetration in Masonry Construction, and watched a live masonry demonstration narrated by Don Beers, PE and performed by Steve Meggs, master mason and current employee of Argos. Thank you to everyone who participated to make this a great opportunity to educate our target market about the benefits of masonry construction! On Friday May 9, 2014, the Masonry Association of Florida, in conjunction with the Masonry Education Foundation, hosted a Masonry Construction Lab for Haskell Construction's executives, engineers and architects. Masonry materials for the lab were donated by Argos and CEMEX. Masonry labor was donated by Capital Concrete & Masonry Solutions (Jacksonville) and Painter Masonry (Gainesville). The lab focused on inspection of masonry and hands-on training in the construction of a basic masonry wall. The founder of Haskell, Preston Haskell, current CEO Steve Halverson and Vice-President Dave Balz were on-hand to make sure that everyone used the correct masonry techniques. The lab had over 35 participants and was very well received. Haskell has requested additional masonry training in the future. Thank you to everyone who made the “Castor for Congress” event on March 28, 2014 in Tampa a success. We had over 30 industry representatives and raised over $13K for her re-election campaign. In return she agreed to work harder on our National Check-off legislation to sign up more co-sponsors and on getting the bill moving in committee.
The following was reprinted from : ABC Legislative Update #2 - Tallahassee 2014
Masonry Education Legislation (SB 286 Richter/HB 147 Caldwell): Legislative Goal - Job Creation One of the biggest issues currently facing the Commercial Construction industry in Florida is a skilled worker shortage. Identifying job opportunities within the industry, educating people on the benefits of working in construction and offering the necessary training continue to be one of the biggest hurdles out there. This legislation would allow for the creation of a statewide Concrete Masonry Education Council that can focus on the above efforts in a direct manner on behalf of this aspect of our industry. As the largest provider of apprenticeship training in the state, ABC strongly supports this legislation as it is a step towards building the skill set and worker volume we need in Florida in order for construction to be a successful and productive part of the Florida economy. ABC of FL has forged a strong relationship with the Masonry Association of Florida to pass this bill. SB 286 and HB 147 are awaiting their last committee hearing before proceeding to the floor for a vote. :: UPDATE :: CS/SB 286 is being heard on the Governmental Oversight & Accountability committee tomorrow, April 3, 2014 @ 9:00 AM. CS/SB 286 is 2nd on the agenda. You can watch the proceeding live here: http://www.flsenate.gov/ The MAF Sponsored award for the 2011 AIA Florida/Caribbean Masonry Merit Award winner by HUUM Architect's Scott Hughes has made the cover of Florida Design Magazine. Ensconced in the hillside which overlooks the water, the structure is a series of expansive and intimate courtyards and cantilevered decks, which architectonically echo the diaphanous volumes of the interior, spaces which seem to defy gravity, even while embracing the solidity of Minnesota limestone and stucco facades. Views to the southwest encompass the dynamic activity of the marina in an inland waterway and track the movements of sun, wind and water. View more details here: http://www.huum.com/River-Road
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MASONRY HELP DESKSubmit your questions regarding masonry construction to the MAF Staff Engineer or Masonry Consultant:
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