FLORIDA MASONRY
  • FMA Board
    • April 2025
    • February 2025
    • November 2024
  • NCCER
    • NCCER Resources
    • NCCER Training Classes
  • News & Events
    • Brick, Block & Beers
    • Painter's Corner
    • Annual Convention
    • Masonry Excellence Awards >
      • Masonry Excellence "Bragbook"
    • Masonry Workshop Schedule
  • Support
    • Resources
    • Help Desk Inquiry
    • Masonry Knowledge Base
  • Apprenticeship
    • Job Board
    • FOR STUDENTS
    • FOR PARENTS
    • FOR EMPLOYERS
    • PROGRAMS
    • REQUEST MORE INFO
    • INSTRUCTOR PORTAL
  • Membership
    • Join the FMA/MCAA
    • Newsletter Sign-up
    • Chapter Map
    • MCAA Login >
      • Association Health Plan
      • MCAA Perks
    • Associate Members
    • Contractor Members
    • Producer Members

MAF Member Connection:: March 2015


ABC Careers in Construction & National Craft Championship Awards Ceremony

Picture
Pictured left to right: Bronze Medal Winner- Gatien Cesaire (MEF Apprentice), Silver Medal Winner - Abner Torres (MEF Apprentice) and Gold Medal Winner - Maxwell Bond Kelley, employed by Kevin J. Brandel Masonry Construction.
ABC congratulated the winners of its 2015 National Craft Championships competition during the March 6 Careers in Constructions awards held during the association’s Workforce Development, March 3-6, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

 A field of 187 craft trainees competed for top honors in 15 competitions representing 12 crafts, including a  new masonry competition and new team competition with journey-level craft professionals from five different crafts working to complete a joint project. Competitors first took an intense, two-hour written exam and then competed in daylong hands-on practical performance tests in: carpentry, electrical-industrial, electrical-residential, fire sprinkler, HVAC, instrumentation fitting, insulation, millwright, pipefitting, plumbing, sheet metal, welding-pipe, welding-structural and masonry.

The 2015 MASONRY COMPETITION winners are:


Gold: Maxwell Bond Kelley          
 Training Sponsor: Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation, Inc.
 Employer: Kevin J. Brandel Masonry Construction


Silver: Abner Torres
 Training Sponsor: Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation, Inc.

Bronze: Gatien Cesaire
 Training Sponsor: Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation, Inc.

Abner and Cesaire are actively looking for employment with a mason contractor.  For more information, please contact Julio Vazquez [email protected] or 561-400-6345.

Click here for additional pictures of the event: http://www.floridamasonry.com/maf-news/abcs-national-craft-competition


2015 MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition

Picture
3rd Place National Winner Irvin Willoughby of Pascal Robertson, Masonry Inc.
Irvin Willoughby
Pascal Robertson Masonry, Inc.
Sorrento, Florida
Tender: Lawrence Singleton
Block Count: 130
Irvin Willoughby won the 2014 MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block competition.
Read the entire press release here: http://www.masoncontractors.org/2015/02/12/armenta-named-2015-fastest-trowel

Industry News

Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council Signs 1st Contributors

Picture
Orlando, FL. – (March 9, 2015) -- The Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council (FCMEC) held a signing ceremony March 4 to signify their commitment to a program that will help fund masonry education and promotion in Florida.

               The event, attended by more than 30 industry executives from various companies was held in the Masonry Lab on the Mid Florida Tech campus in Orlando.  Those in attendance witnessed industry producers A-1 Block, Argos Ready Mix, LLC., CEMEX Construction Materials Florida, LLC., Maschmeyer Concrete Company of Florida, Inc., Prestige Concrete Products, Supermix/Superblock and Titan Florida, LLC.  become the first to sign on to support the Act by voluntarily contributing to the Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council, beginning April 1st, 2015.

               The council, appointed by Governor Rick Scott, is tasked with bringing together masonry manufacturers and contractors in an effort to plan and conduct training programs, improving access to masonry education, developing outreach programs to ensure diversity and informing the public about the sustainability and economic benefits of concrete masonry products. 

               “This marks a momentous day for our industry and we look forward to implementing these important educational programs for masons across the state,” said FCMEC Chairman Troy Maschmeyer. “We've been collectively working on this program for a very long time and we are enthusiastic about the many benefits it will bring to the industry." 

Pictures of the event are available here: http://www.floridamasonrycouncil.org/fcmec-news/concrete-masonry-education-council-signing-event



Upcoming Events

April 9, 2015 :: FAU Concrete Expo & Fair

Picture
The Masonry Association of Florida & the Masonry Education Foundation will be exhibiting at the FAU Concrete Expo & Fair.  Network with engineers, architects, construction professionals, faculty and students by joining Florida Atlantic University, the Florida Concrete & Products Association and sponsoring organizations to highlight the building and design industry.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FAU Stadium Acura Room
, 777 Glades Road,
Boca Raton, FL  33431

Map & Directions

Register to Attend


June 24 - 28, 2015 :: 2015 Concrete Coalition of Florida Convention

Picture
The 2015 Concrete Coalition of Florida Convention is the place to join other top minds in the concrete and masonry industry to discuss relevant topics for you, your company and your employees, all in a casual, “Flops-n-Tops” atmosphere. Grab your beach towel, your suntan oil, your favorite tropical drink and take a trip to the Keys with the Coalition. We’re traveling to Duck Key, a small, secluded Key midway down the Florida Keys. Join us for glorious sunrises and sunsets and a Caribbean Island feel. Our goal is to bring together all facets of the concrete and masonry industry to share ideas, help each other and expand our market share and horizons.

For Registration, Schedule and Resort Options:

www.ConcreteCoalitionofFLorida.org


April 15, 2015 :: Deadline for Submissions to the 2015 Masonry Excellence Awards

The Masonry Association of Florida is now accepting Awards submissions for the 2015 MAF Masonry Excellence Awards.  The submission period runs from March 1 – April 15, 2015.  
Awards categories:
                 • Commercial
                 • Residential
                 • Institutional
                 • Hardscapes
                 • Special Features /Creative Use of Materials

First place winners in each category will receive a trophy commemorating their win, along with a $200 gift certificate.

                  2015 Awards Application

Winning projects will be featured in the MAF Masonry Excellence Awards publication (aka the MAF “Bragbook”) and will also be recognized at the MAF Masonry Excellence Awards Reception held on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at the Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Florida. For convention registration details: www.concretecoalitionofflorida.org
Please forward any questions to Deb Bartolucci [email protected] or Chris Bettinger [email protected] .

Picture

Congratulations
Justin & Marissa!

Congratulations to Justin Lord (Central Broward Construction) and his wife Marissa on the birth of their first child. Welcome to the world baby Evelyn!
Picture

MCAA Free Live Webinars

Picture
The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is proud to announce the 2015 Live Webinar Season will feature over fifty free webinars to all attendees.   View schedule

The Future of Masonry

"You have to start them early!" stated Tallahassee Masonry apprentice program instructor, Robert Melgaard.  Pictured below, Robert showing his daughter, Macyn (1) the proper way to hold a trowel!

Welcome Keith Sommer!

Picture
Welcome Keith Sommer to the Masonry Education Foundation We are very pleased to announce that Keith Sommer has  joined the Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation as Director of Masonry Apprenticeship. Keith will be responsible for expanding masonry apprenticeship programs throughout the state.




Keith, formerly vice-president of Pyramid Masonry, has been very active in the apprentice and pre-apprenticeship systems for years.  As a past Trustee of the FMA&EF and Chairman of the Masonry Association of Florida, he is very well versed in what is needed to restart and expand our existing apprenticeship programs.  Keith is also a past Chairman of the Central Florida Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractor, Inc. and past Chairman of the Academy of Construction Technology (ACT) organization in Orlando.



Keith Sommer
State Apprentice Director
[email protected]





Please welcome Keith to our Masonry Education Foundation team!



News Archives

February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014

Contact Us

Picture
Pat McLaughlin
Executive Director
561-239-2462
[email protected]
Picture
Don Beers, PE
MAF Engineer
561-310-9902
[email protected]
Picture
Deb Bartolucci
MAF Marketing
954-295-9925
[email protected]
Picture
Laura Agafonov
MAF Member Services
561-843-7557
[email protected]

MAF Member Connection

Picture
Download or print a copy of this Newsletter!

Florida Masonry 

MAF Anti-trust Policy
FMA By-Laws
Florida Masonry Board of Directors

Picture
Copyright  2021 Masonry Association of Florida, Inc. All rights reserved. 
​Masonry Association of Florida, Inc. |PO Box 24474 , Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307
Copyright  ©  2017. All Rights Reserved.
Sitemap
  • FMA Board
    • April 2025
    • February 2025
    • November 2024
  • NCCER
    • NCCER Resources
    • NCCER Training Classes
  • News & Events
    • Brick, Block & Beers
    • Painter's Corner
    • Annual Convention
    • Masonry Excellence Awards >
      • Masonry Excellence "Bragbook"
    • Masonry Workshop Schedule
  • Support
    • Resources
    • Help Desk Inquiry
    • Masonry Knowledge Base
  • Apprenticeship
    • Job Board
    • FOR STUDENTS
    • FOR PARENTS
    • FOR EMPLOYERS
    • PROGRAMS
    • REQUEST MORE INFO
    • INSTRUCTOR PORTAL
  • Membership
    • Join the FMA/MCAA
    • Newsletter Sign-up
    • Chapter Map
    • MCAA Login >
      • Association Health Plan
      • MCAA Perks
    • Associate Members
    • Contractor Members
    • Producer Members