Southeast Concrete Masonry Association

11/04/2026

New research from the Concrete Masonry Checkoff nationally funded research program with MIT highlights the role of concrete masonry construction in creating a more resilient built environment.

The research examines how concrete masonry homes perform during hurricanes and how structural systems influence storm damage. The findings offer valuable insights into the resilience benefits of concrete masonry and the importance of considering structural systems in building codes, insurance incentives and disaster mitigation efforts.

Explore the research & its key findings in the resources below:

🔗 https://cshub.mit.edu/brief-modern-masonry-performance-in-hurricane-irma/

🔗 https://cshub.mit.edu/research-brief-how-a-homes-structural-system-shapes-hurricane-damage/

10/20/2026

The Southeast Concrete Masonry Association Golf Tournament was a major success last week! We welcomed 76 golfers from seven states, with participants traveling from as far away as Ohio to support the event. The annual tournament is a special tradition dedicated to advancing South Carolina's masonry industry. Funds raised this year will directly support workforce development initiatives and help cultivate the next generation of industry leaders.

In addition to raising valuable resources, the tournament brings together masonry contractors, producers, suppliers, distributors, and industry associations for a day of golf, networking, and camaraderie.

Congratulations to this year's champions, Team Guaranteed Supply Company, who claimed first place with an impressive score of 59. Pictured below, the team narrowly edged out Team Johnson Concrete Products, which finished a strong second with a score of 60. Team Masterbuilders rounded out the top three finishers.

Thank you to everyone who participated, sponsored, and supported the tournament and a special thank you to our tournament chair Steven Hotchkiss, VAN SMITH BLOCK COMPANY LLC. Your involvement helps strengthen and grow the masonry industry throughout South Carolina.

10/16/2026

Concrete industry professionals looking to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills are invited to attend the 2027 Blockmakers Workshop® courses. Eight courses will be offered across 12 weeks of training, combining classroom instruction with hands-on, in-plant training to deliver practical insights that can be applied to improve plant operations and production skills. The newest addition to the lineup is the All About Molds course, a three-day workshop exploring mold design, maintenance, and performance optimization.

These courses are led by seasoned instructors with decades of industry experience and are held at the World Center for Concrete Technology (WCCT), located on the campus of Alpena Community College (ACC) in Alpena, Michigan. The WCCT features a state-of-the-art lab, a Besser-equipped concrete products production facility, and classrooms designed specifically for professional learning.

Participants earn college credit for each course through ACC. To earn the Master Blockmaker designation, students must successfully complete six designated courses and both a written and practical examination. This designation recognizes advanced education, hands-on experience, and a commitment to continued learning and leadership in the concrete products industry.

Click the link below for course information, dates, and registration.

Besser Company

https://wcct.net/training/

09/22/2026

Today the SCMA hosted a collaborative event between the producer sales team and the Block Design Collective (BDC) team.

Both Tino Kalayil (BDC) and Brad Bunn (King’s Material, Inc.) walked through how Brad and his sales team in the Midwest leveraged the BDC to convert jobs leading to more block in projects. Brad laid it out in detail how working with the BDC has changed how his sales teams interact with architectural firms.

Brad did an outstanding job laying out many scenarios of how we could leverage the BDC with local firms.

Special thanks to Byard Stevens, James Cain, Tino Kalayil, and Danielle Mokris for working together to make this a very productive training for all involved.

08/28/2026

This week marked solid progress for CMU Checkoff Region Two University Program in Alabama.

On Monday, the SCMA proudly presented the inaugural Construction Management School Scholarship

to Ben Alberstadt, a third­year student at Auburn University.

Also on Monday, Acme Block & Brick delivered a Masonry 101 presentation to Professor Jonathan Tucker’s 4420 Superintendent Class

at Auburn University. The session was led by Greg Capps and Christy McCormick, with Tim Ayers, John Sorrell, and James Cain addressing

questions from Professor Tucker and his students. Sincere appreciation goes to Greg and Christy for their outstanding engagement and for

building a strong relationship with Professor Tucker.

On Tuesday, Tim Ayers with ACIA and James Cain, representing the Concrete Masonry Checkoff Program, met with Ryan Misner, Head of the

Samford University Architecture Program, and Aaron Brakke, Assistant Professor in Architecture & Interior Design. Both expressed enthusiasm

for incorporating Checkoff resources into their curriculum and practically interested in the new R2 Architectural Design and Detailing Curse.

Plans are underway for a Pelham block plant tour on September 4 and hands­on masonry training later in September.

The CMU Checkoff university outreach concluded with a very productive meeting at the University of Alabama with Dr. Sriram Aaleti and Dr. Armen Amirkhanian.

James introduced Masonry in a Box and other Region 2 university initiatives. With masonry instruction having been inactive for several years, faculty welcomed

the opportunity to reintegrate masonry through Checkoff-supported tools. James will connect them with Mr. Kevin Walsh with Frost Engineering who is the

CMU Checkoff National University Relations Coordinator

Special thanks to Tim Ayers and John Sorrell for their time and collaboration with the SCMA in advancing masonry education across Alabama.

Region 2 partnerships continue to strengthen the Checkoff’s impact in our eight states!

08/26/2026

08/11/2026

Last week, SCMA President James Cain presented the first-ever Region 2 $2500 CMU Checkoff Architecture Scholarship to Jonathan Turner at the University of Memphis. Jonathan was selected from a competitive pool of students across eight states.

During the visit, James met with Michael Hagge, Chair of the Department of Architecture; Marika Snider, PhD, AIA, NCARB, NCIDQ, Assistant Professor;

and Jennifer Barker, Assistant Professor, to explore opportunities for expanding the CMU Checkoff University Program within the Architecture & Engineering curriculum.

James also met with Melchor Olguin and Olivia Olguin, owners of Aztec Masonry Inc., to thank them for their longstanding support of the school and to discuss additional ways to strengthen their engagement with the University of Memphis from future Masonry Day activities to a potential Block fest collaboration with the Engineering Department.

(pictured left to right)

Michael Hagge - Chair of the Department of Architecture
Melchor Olguin – Owner of Aztec Masonry
James Cain – SCMA President
Jonathan Turner – Architecture Scholarship Recipient
Marika Snider, PhD, AIA, Assistant Professor
Jennifer Barker, Assistant Professor
Olivia Olguin – Vice President of Aztec Masonry

07/15/2026

It’s been a great time in Georgia this week! SCMA and MAG were fortunate enough to host 27 pre-engineering students from around the world at the Georgia Tech Summer Camp. The students came from as far away as India and Japan to attend this year.

On Tuesday, we provided them a block tour at the Oldcastle APG Tyrone, GA Plant. Special thanks to Kevin Torok and Chad Ellis, as well as the entire Tyrone, Georgia Plant crew.

On Wednesday, we had the students at the construction management lab doing a 3-hour hands on CMU activity where they built five reinforced, fully grouted walls.

Special thanks to James Cain with SCMA, Greg Capps and Ryne Thackston with ACME Block and Brick, Jollay Masonry team, and the Pyramid Masonry Contractors team for providing hands on activities for the students.

Special thanks to Professor Steven Kassinger with Georgia Tech. His students were blown away, not only by the production side of CMU, but also by the opportunity to build their own walls. This was their first time ever being exposed to CMU!

07/01/2026

As America celebrates 250 years of freedom, courage, and possibility, I’m reminded of the powerful role masonry has

played in building this nation. Masonry is woven into the very fabric of America from our courthouses, our schools, our monuments, our homes. From quiet rural towns to the shining skylines of our greatest cities, masonry has provided the strength and stability that support the 349 million people who proudly call this country home.

In the coming days, Americans from coast to coast will gather to honor our nation’s birthday. Amid the fireworks, parades, and
celebrations, let’s take a moment to recognize the generations of dedicated men and women in the masonry industry.

Their craftsmanship helped build the structures where Americans learn, worship, govern, and dream. Their world ­class dedication to the craft has shaped the character of our nation.

America 250 is more than an anniversary. It is a patriotic call to remember our history, honor those who laid the foundation of this
great nation and look forward with pride to the future we will build together. God Bless the USA!

06/22/2026

What a week we had in Hilton Head. Still trying to take in all the great moments from this year's Southeast Concrete Masonry Association Annual Conference. Thank you to all of our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for bringing the energy to SCMA's main event. We will be highlighting all of our award winners in the next couple of weeks.

Save the Date for 2027: June 16-20, 2027 at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, SC.