November 01, 2011 8:00 AM CDT

Join us in Vegas

President’s message

By Mackie Bounds

Norma Jean and I have booked our flights to Las Vegas and I hope you have too. You might want to see this DVD my wife keeps working on that I can’t see. Then you add John, Mark and Mike into the mix and there is no telling what you or I will see. Why don’t we forget that part for now and talk about all the good stuff that will happen at the convention! Like the $20,000 World of Masonry Golf Outing. Just think about going to Vegas and winning $10,000 for having fun! Put your team together and come have fun and support our industry all at the same time!!! If you don’t have a team that will be fine, we will put you on a team.

It won’t be all play but some education opportunities also. MCAA continues to improve the courses for the Mason Contractor and they will always go toward certification. Not only will there be opportunities for the owners of the company but also the employees!

Then the “South 40” group will once again show us how the younger generation of our industry has fun, network and learn together. This is only the second year in existence and they have already put new life in the MCAA. They lead six different committees, attend legislative conferences, raise money for future research and they are active in the decisions that will affect the future of our industry. If you have young folks in your business then you need to make sure that you sign them up for the “South 40” committee. I have three employees on this committee and it has done Brazos Masonry well.

There will be committee meetings taking place that all will be invited to attend. This is where planning for our future takes place. The chairs of these committees would welcome your input so the MCAA can continue to improve and be a greater value to the contractor. You also will be given the opportunity to serve on a committee if you like. The more we put into our industry, the better it becomes for all of us. We will also have our annual membership meeting. I am sure there will be plenty of information to share and act upon. Of course most important, we will vote on the new slate of officers. I will then be able to start enjoying the “has been” status.

With all of that going on, you will still have time go to the show floor. There you will be able to see the best and the latest changes to equipment we use daily. There will be many opportunities to purchase equipment at some of the best prices we will see all year. It will bring pride to all of as when we see how innovative our industry has become.

Yes I know there will be one more thing that will take place and that is the closing banquet. It is there I will see the DVD my wife is working on and hear all the good stuff John, Mark & Mike will have to say. I said “good stuff” which I doubt, but I will be roasted almost to the point of being burnt. Until next time this old cowboy says to each of you, shoot for the Moon and even if you miss, you will land among the stars!!! See ya in Vegas!!!

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About the Author

Mackie Bounds is Owner of Brazos Masonry, Inc., in Waco, Texas, and has served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and President of the MCAA. In 1989, Bounds started Brazos Masonry, and his first act of business was to join MCAA. He has always been active in the masonry industry. He became the first subcontractor to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Central Texas AGC and subsequently was elected to the National AGC Board of Directors. In 1995, he was elected as the first President of the Central Texas Mason Contractors Association.