MCAA announces 2016-18 board members
Michael Sutter elected Chairman of the MCAA
The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) announced the election of officers to the MCAA Board during the MCAA Annual Meeting on February 4, 2016 during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas.
Michael Sutter, CEO of Sutter Masonry, Inc. in El Mirage, Ariz., was elected as Chairman of the MCAA. Mike Sutter began his masonry career as a senior in high school when he joined a vocational program in Brunswick, Ohio. After graduation, he served his apprenticeship and became a journeyman bricklayer before moving to Phoenix, Arizona one winter. He continued his career as a foreman and estimator/project manager. Then in 1991, Mike and his wife Colleen started Sutter Masonry. Twenty-five years later, he has built their company to over 200 employees working on both residential and commercial projects.
Since 1995, Mike has been an active member of both local and national industry associations, including a board member of the Arizona Masonry Contractors Association serving as President, Vice President and Treasurer. In addition, he has served on numerous committees such as Apprenticeship, Certification, Fastest Trowel, and Safety. He is also a Board Member of the Arizona Masonry Guild and serves on the Residential and Technical Committees.
With the MCAA, he has served as Arizona State Chairman, Region G Vice President, Treasurer and Vice-Chairman as well as serving on numerous committees and Co-Author of the MCAA Apprentice Training Manual.
Mike will be the first to tell you how many benefits he has received from his 45 years in the masonry industry - not only monetary, but the relationships made with many friends and business associates. Because of this, he is very dedicated to giving back to the masonry industry that has given him and his family so much.
The Vice Chairman for the MCAA is Paul Odom, Vice President of P and S Masonry, Inc. in Hamilton, Texas. Paul started his masonry career in 1980 as a laborer for Lee Masonry, based out of Hamilton, Texas. He quickly advanced in the company, going through his apprenticeship and becoming a journeyman mason. He left the company in 1986 before officially starting P and S Masonry in 1987, alongside his wife, Susie, who is still active in the company. Their business started small, concentrating on military construction and has grown throughout the last 25 years to excel in school, university, commercial, and industrial construction.
Additionally, Paul has been active in promoting the masonry industry over the years. He was one of the founders of the Central Texas Masonry Contractors Association and has twice served as president of this association. He has been on the board of the Texas Masonry Contractors for several years, serving as vice president and president during that time. At the national level, he has been active with the MCAA serving on committees and the Executive Board for twenty years.
Serving as Treasurer is Paul Oldham, President and Co-owner of Ollier Masonry Inc. in Batesville, Ind. Paul attended the University of Evansville and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Management. Paul started his career in the construction industry as an assistant carpenter for a small construction company. That construction company was owned by an architect; knowing Paul was pursuing an Engineering Degree he brought Paul into the design office as a draftsman. Paul was able to experience the different phases of design and the interaction with clients and the development of their projects.
From here Paul felt it was necessary to go back to the field and connect the dots between schooling, design and the reality of building a project. He went to work for a large general contractor and experienced the site management of a project, starting with the basic RFI process with subcontractors through the competition of a 100 million dollar plus project. Paul had the desire to get married and have a family and decided the life style of a large general contractor traveling the world wouldn’t provide the home life he was after.
Paul went to work for a smaller general contractor/mason contractor in the Midwest. Here he was given the opportunity to work in the capacity of a general contractor and a specialty contractor. This is where he was introduced to the masonry industry. He was also able to find and marry his best friend and build the family he was after.
Over the years he has experienced many different types and sizes of masonry projects. One of his highlights was the opportunity to manage the masonry contract for a Major League Baseball team.
Paul was taught by many that being involved in what you believe in is important and you have to give back. One way of doing this is to be involved in the organizations of your industry. Over the years he has been involved in the AGC, ABC, Indiana Masonry Contractors Association, Tri-State Masonry Association, Ohio Masonry Association and the Mason Contractors Association of America starting with serving on committees and then serving on the Executive Boards. He currently is on the Board of TMI in Cincinnati, Chairman of the OMA for the state of Ohio and Secretary for the MCAA. The relationships he has developed here are priceless and have provided the avenue to continue to learn.
Paul has been fortunate to experience working for an architect and engineer, developers, owners, general contractors and Ollier Masonry Inc. to provide him with perspectives from all sides of the construction process.
Joining the MCAA Board as Secretary is Larry Vacala, founder of Restore Masonry LLC & Tyler Lane Construction Inc. Prior to founding Restore Masonry LLC & Tyler Lane Construction Inc., (General Contractor Co.), Larry owned and operated a masonry restoration company that performed work on many historical landmark buildings in the northern suburbs of Chicago. “Transitioning from large residential homes to commercial properties was easy. The commitment was to keep the same eye for detail and quality, just on a larger scale.” Responsibilities include, involvement in day to day business decisions, overseeing all upper management personnel, managing all professional business relationships, marketing and providing a vision for the future direction of the company.
A retired Evanston Fire Fighter, with 20 years of service. Larry brought with him the 20 years of fire fighting and life safety skills he experienced, to the forefront in running a safe company, for all.
Larry has served in leadership roles for several construction industry organizations such as President of the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago (MCAGC), Board Member of the Mid-American Regional Bargaining Association (MARBA), Executive Board Member of the Administrative District Council (ADC), Executive Board Member of the Illinois Masonry Advisory Council (IMAC), Board Member of IL ADC #1 MCAGC Labor-Management Cooperative Committee (LMCC), and voting member of ASTM International C-12 and C15.
Larry is President of the Julia Vacala Foundation, established May 9, 2002 to honor the Vacala family’s late mother, and continue her legacy to help those in need.
He volunteers for and also supports many charitable organizations such as the March of Dimes’, IFSA Burn Camp, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Bear’s Care, White Sox Charities, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Children’s Home & Aid, Christopher House, Otis Wilson Foundation and more.
The MCAA also elected nine Regional Vice Presidents to the board:
- Region A: Michael Schmerbeck, Back Brook Masonry; Hillsborough, N.J.
- Region B: Gary Joyner, Joyner Masonry Works; Greenville, N.C.
- Region C: John Jacob, J. Construction Company; Cincinnati
- Region D: Lynn Vasquez, MAV Masonry, Inc.; Marissa, Ill.
- Region E: Rick Swanson, Swanson Masonry; St. Charles, Mo.
- Region F: Robert “Buddie” Barnes, Dee Brown, Inc.; Dallas
- Region G: Glenn Hottmann, G & G Enterprises; Glendale, Ariz.
- Region H: Dennis Withsosky, New Dimension Masonry, Inc.; San Diego
- Region I: Jed Olafson, Johnston Construction Co., Inc.; Tacoma, Wash.
About the Author
The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is the national trade association representing mason contractors. The MCAA is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.
