It’s Time to Bring Back Masonry
By Beverley McCauley
What drives you? Is it your family, job, team, business, relationship with God or the state of our country? And, who has the power to change that? You do.
So, what do I do if I am unhappy with the laws and the rules of engagement? I have the inalienable right to speak with our elected officials, start an open dialog, and tell them to bring back masonry and help my business, my team players and our nation.
You have the ability to speak with others, voice your concerns and give your opinion on what you think can help. For me, that opportunity presented itself 22 years ago, when I met a third-generation mason – my husband, Donald. His passion for masonry became my passion for masonry. Ten years ago, I was asked to become a member of the Legislative Board for Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), and that passion exploded. Today, I serve as legislative chair for the association and want to bring back masonry.
My husband and I own Hunt Country Masonry. We are a small, women-owned and minority-owned (SWaM) masonry business that was the first Certified Mason Contractor in Virginia. I am passionate about masonry and building a quality product that will exceed my lifetime. I also am passionate about making a difference in our team players’ lives, our families’ lives and our faith.
What does that mean? It means I have become invested in trying to make a difference in the laws that govern this great nation. I have been blessed with the opportunity to testify before Congress several times regarding things that are important to me as a believer, wife, business owner, mom and team player. No one job title is more important than the other. However, if we don’t teach this generation to speak up and with manners, while not condemning others, nothing will change.
The only way change happens is when we see a need and address that need. It does no good to complain and not act. One of the major differences as a woman in a male-dominated field is that I take into consideration how changes makes our team players feel. While that may not seem important, it is when you are striving to create a team environment. One where each person stands on his or her own merit, but is responsible for something larger than themselves: the team.
At Hunt Country Masonry, we believe there is no better product than masonry. Brick, block and stone are products that, when used properly, have no equal. That masonry is inherently green, comes from the earth and can return to the earth without any environmental impact. It also creates local jobs from beginning to end. Most masonry is created within a 100-square-mile radius of where it is being used. That masonry stands the test of time, weather, energy conservation and age, while being protective, aesthetically pleasing and – without a doubt – uncompromisingly beautiful.
Our nation was founded on masonry products from adobe structures in Monument Valley to the Capitol Building, Masonry stands the test of time. So why am I passionate about masonry? Because it has no equal and no comparison!
Is it worth the effort, the investment, the training and the skills? Yes. Masonry was and is the product of the future. We, as a masonry community, must come together as a whole and stand up for what we know to be the best product and greenest product, and a great first and last job. Masonry is the only industry in which you can start right out of high school, apply for one of the masonry training programs, get trained on the job, and have the potential to make an amazing salary with no college degree. It also gives you the ability to build your own home.
So why is there a shortage of amazing masons? Because we forgot that not everyone wants to go to college, not everyone can afford to go to college, not everyone wants to be inside all day, and not everyone wants a college degree. And, we forgot that a trade is important. We let trade schools dwindle. Let’s bring back masonry and trade schools, and give everyone an opportunity to improve his or her situation.
Beverley A. McCauley is president of Leesburg, Va.-based Hunt Country Masonry Inc. She has worked in the construction industry for the last 27 years and can be reached at bmccauley@huntcountrymasonry.com.
