From Classroom to Jobsite, Junior Blocklayer Builds Industry Pathways
Ryan Shaver did not grow up planning a career in masonry. In fact, he hated school. What changed everything was a high school masonry class in 1989, a chance decision that set him on a path that would shape not only his career, but the many lives he has impacted across the masonry industry.
Tony Topping and the Fight for Better Building, Stronger Codes and Less Rebuilding
As Executive Director of the Texas Masonry Council and a regional leader in codes and standards, Tony spends his days in a world most people never see — city council chambers, floodplain committees, design standards workshops and statehouse hearings where the long-term safety of millions of Texans is quietly decided. And for Tony, those decisions aren’t academic. They’re deeply personal.
As a second-generation leader in a family-owned business, Tom Finch brings a unique perspective to his role as VP of Sales and Marketing at RCP Block & Brick.
Tom Finch still remembers standing on the roof as a kid, garden hose in hand, watching another California wildfire creep toward the family home.
Built to Withstand: How Asheville Is Rebuilding Stronger After Hurricane Helene
When Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina, the mountains didn’t stop the storm — they trapped it. The result was a thousand-year flood that tore through Asheville and surrounding communities, washing away bridges, homes, and entire neighborhoods.
Teaching the Next Generation To Build What Lasts
At Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Woo is helping shape the next generation of students who will design and construct California’s homes, schools and infrastructure — in a state where wildfires and earthquakes have rewritten what “resilient design” really means. And he’s opening eyes and ears with concrete masonry.
Concrete Masonry: Resilient by Nature. Smart by Design.
The building design industry is shifting. The cost of construction is critical. Labor and schedule drive costs, and designers need to begin to consider this during design. As structural engineers, we typically design to final condition but need to begin to design with holistic cost in mind, not just material cost. The cost of a wall system may be driven by how fast you can build it – and due to this, we are seeing a trend to delegating systems and leaving it in the hands of the specialty engineer and contractor to dictate that.
Concrete Masonry Checkoff Approves 27 Programs
“We know the importance of focusing our investments where they can have the greatest impact, and this robust slate of programs reflects our commitment to driving demand and securing the future of concrete masonry,” said Kim Spahn, CEO, CMC.
Why CMU Remains the Foundation of Safer Schools
Traditionally, affordability in construction has been defined by first cost. If the project penciled out on bid day and stayed within budget, it was considered a win.
The Simple Choice that Delivers: Why CMU Block Makes Sense for Louisville’s Schools
When it comes to building educational spaces that serve generations, complexity isn’t always a sign of progress. Often, the best solutions are the most straightforward. That’s exactly why school districts, architects, engineers and construction leaders are turning back to concrete masonry units (CMUs), or concrete block, for delivering K–12 schools in Louisville and across Kentucky.
Efficient By Design: Unlocking CMU Performance Through Delegation
Pittsburgh is growing quickly. With new hospitals, tech campuses and research hubs rising across the city, the pressure is on developers to deliver projects quickly and efficiently, all without sacrificing long-term performance. To meet that challenge, more build teams are starting to leverage delegated design and design assist.