Concrete Masonry Education Council
  • Home
  • About the Council
    • Antitrust
    • Bylaws
    • Code of Ethics
    • Founding Statute 446.53
    • Leadership
  • Contributors & Supporters
  • Media
  • FCMEC News
  • Documents
    • Conflict of Interest Form
    • Financial Statements
    • Meeting Notices, Agendas & Minutes
    • Plans and Policies
    • Procurements
    • Reports
    • Archive
  • Contact

ANNOUNCEMENTS


MEETINGS

Budget & Finance Committee Meeting
Virtual Meeting
April 19, 2023 9:15 a.m.

Audio & Video: Microsoft Teams
Call-in Number: (866) 619-5581

Phone Access ID: 384792897#


Board of Directors Meeting - Annual Meeting
Virtual Meeting
April 19, 2023 10:00 a.m.

Audio & Video: Microsoft Teams
Call-in Number: (866) 619-5581
Phone Access ID: TBD 

Picture

FLORIDA HIRES
Helping Inmates Realize Employment Success

Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council (FCMEC) continues to promote  Florida Hires (Florida Ready to Work) and Fleet Force (an independent CDL training organization) in their efforts of helping Inmates Realize Employment Success – CDL licensing for soon-to-be ex-offenders; job placement. FCMEC encourages companies within the concrete masonry industry to provide employment opportunities to these licensed CDL drivers.
Florida HIRES is a pre-release career readiness pathway to post-release employment for returning citizens. Powered the state-sponsored Florida Ready to Work program, Florida HIRES is a partnership between CareerSource Florida and the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC). Florida HIRES collaboratively has developed and implemented an enhanced employability and technical training program for incarcerated individuals within 180 days of release. 

The Florida HIRES partnership has provided pre-release career readiness training to more than 350 incarcerated individuals since August 2019. Florida HIRES has provided opportunities for these individuals to earn credentials in commercial truck driving, construction, heavy equipment operation, electrical, advanced manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, and customer service / hospitality.
​

In addition to in-demand technical skills training, participants receive intensive employability skills training and earn the Florida Soft Skills Credential, a stackable credential validating mastery of the communication, professionalism, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving skills most in-demand by Florida employers.
Learn More

DEPARTMENT of LABOR
Pathway Home 2 Grant

Awarded to FCMEC

​The Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council (FCMEC) was awarded a $1.96 million Pathway Home 2 Grant through the U.S. Department of Labor.

This grant, which has been named Foundations for Life, will provide eligible, incarcerated individuals in Florida state correctional facilities with workforce services prior to release and will continue services after release by transitioning the participants into reentry programs in the communities to which they will return. This grant is job-driven and is designed to build connections to local employers that will enable transitioning offenders to secure self-sustaining employment. Additionally, the grant will ensure that transitioning offenders are prepared to meet the needs of their local labor markets with the skills valued by employers. Foundations for Life (F4L) will operate for a 42-month period beginning on July 1, 2021. The overall goal of the grant is to reduce recidivism and improve employment outcomes after incarceration.
 
The Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council will serve as administrative entity responsible for the oversight of enrollment, assessment, and training, with services to be provided by the Masonry Association of Florida (MAF) and the Masonry Apprenticeship and Educational Foundation (MAEF). Overall, there will be up to 200 current inmates of the Florida Department of Corrections served in Florida regions 1 - 4. ​
Read Press Release

Highlights
FCMEC's Annual Report
Florida law requires Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council (FCMEC) to prepare an Annual Report to the Governor, the President of the Florida Senate, and the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
Read Annual Report

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Eight to the Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council On October 7, 2022

News Releases, Recent Appointments, by Staff

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of David Cerniglia, Michael “Brad” Coolidge, Danielle Larson, and Robert Melgaard and the reappointment of Rockie Jenkins, Troy Maschmeyer, William Parsons, and Mark Smith to the Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council.

David Cerniglia
Cerniglia is the Vice President and General Manager of the South Region Concrete Division of Preferred Materials Inc. He is the Chairman of the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Education Foundation and is a board member of the Masonry Association of Florida. Cerniglia earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Pennsylvania State University.

Michael “Brad” Coolidge
Coolidge is the Safety and Environmental Manager of A-1 Block Corporation. He is a board member of Concrete Products Group and the Secretary and Committee Chair of Florida Independent Concrete & Associated Products, Inc. Coolidge attended Seminole State College.

Danielle Larson
Larson is the Chief Executive Officer of GBL Group. She is the State Chairman of the Masonry Contractors Association of America and a board member of the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Education Foundation. Larson earned her associate degree from Florida Southwestern State College.

Robert Melgaard
Melgaard is the Career & Technical Education Programs Administrator at the Florida Department of Corrections. He is a member of the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Education Foundation. Melgaard attended Florida Gateway College.

Rockie Jenkins
Jenkins is the Director of CEMEX Florida. He is a member of the Masonry Association of Florida, Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Education Foundation, and the National Concrete Masonry Association. Jenkins earned his bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Trevecca Nazarene University and his master’s degree in business administration from Saint Leo University.

Troy Maschmeyer
Maschmeyer is the Chief Executive Officer of Maschmeyer Concrete Company. He is a founding member of the Florida Independent Concrete Products Association and previously served on the executive committee of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. Maschmeyer attended Michigan State University.

William Parsons
Parsons is a Regional Vice President at Pyramid Masonry Contractors. He is the Treasurer of the Masonry Association of Florida and a member of the Central Florida Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. Parsons earned his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering and management from Purdue University.

Mark Smith
Smith is the owner of Bell Concrete Products and Columbia Ready Mix. He is a National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Certified Sales Professional and is a past Florida Independent Concrete Products Association Producer of the Year. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida.

Continue to Press Release

​National Concrete Masonry
​CHECKOFF Program

Becomes Law

Picture
The Concrete Masonry Checkoff will be the first-ever checkoff program at the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce  announced the results of the referendum to establish an industry-funded checkoff program devoted to the research, education, and promotion of concrete masonry products on Monday, December 20th.
Visit CHECKOFF


​GOOD NEWS


Picture
Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation

The FMAEF is an Accredited Training Sponsor (ATS) for NCCER and sponsors over 100 high school and post-secondary programs along with programs in Juvenile Justice, Youth Build, Department of Corrections, and other re-entry programs.

North Showcase 2022

South Competition 2022


Synergy School of Tommorrow
Spotlight

Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation
​and the Synergy School of Tommorrow

The 
Synergy School of Tomorrow offers high quality, custom core courses both online and in person and focuses classroom education on 21st Century Skills. Accredited courses are aligned with state standards, and prepare students for post-secondary education and training, while the apprenticeship program gives students everything, they need to go directly into the job market.

Picture
Masonry Association of Florida

The MAF is committed to maintaining and increasing masonry market share by providing: *Continuing education to industry decision makers, *Recruiting Florida’s Next Generation of Masons through our sponsorship of masonry apprentice programs in Florida, *​Promoting the benefits of masonry construction through its partnership with the Florida Concrete & Products Association,  BlockStrongTM initiative and the Florida Caribbean AIA.

Masonry Apprentice Competition

Congratulations Competition Winners!

Masonry Day

Picture
August 10, 2021

On Tuesday, August 10th, the MAF delivered a masonry education and hands-on demonstration seminar at Haskell in Jacksonville.  
​
Haskell is a unique company that both designs and constructs buildings of all types. However, many of the professionals who set the daily expectations for masonry projects have never held a trowel, or if they have, it has been years since they were exposed!...
Read More at Member News: September 2021

NCCER’S Release of Additional Levels of Masonry Curriculum On-line

Picture
NEWS RELEASE

01/12/2022 
Press ReleaseALACHUA, Fla. --

NCCER recently released additional levels of its Masonry curriculum online, developed in conjunction with the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council (FCMEC). Available on NCCERconnect, the digital Masonry Levels 1 - 3 include brand new videos, interactive animated figures, flash cards and quizzes.

“With the increased emphasis on virtual learning over the course of the last year, releasing Masonry on NCCERconnect helps to shift perceptions of the craft,” said Darryl Fales, chairman of FCMEC’s Board of Directors. “It illustrates the technology elements of masonry and the upward mobility available in the industry.”

The NCCERconnect eBook includes digital animations that help make difficult material easier for students to learn. Instructors can also take advantage of this resource by utilizing the classroom management tools to instruct their students more efficiently. The course materials are pre-loaded and ready for student use, but instructors can organize these materials to suit the needs of their classroom.
​
“This digital curriculum is key to expanding the opportunities high schools have to add masonry to their curricula,” said Jim Painter, executive director of FCMEC. “With masonry being in high demand, it’s critical to get more people interested in the craft, and this opens the door for smaller communities, contractors and schools to offer training programs.”...

Continue Reading Press Release

Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council 
​
Contributes to
NCCER’S Online Masonry Curriculum

Picture
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Christina Catron
04.27.2021
888.622.3720 x 6909
marketing@nccer.org

Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council Contributes to NCCER’s Online Masonry Curriculum
ALACHUA, Fla. — NCCER recently released its Masonry curriculum online, developed in conjunction with the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council (FCMEC). Available on NCCERconnect, the digital Masonry Level 1 includes brand new videos, interactive animated figures, flash cards and quizzes.

“With the increased emphasis on virtual learning over the course of the last year, releasing Masonry on NCCERconnect helps to shift perceptions of the craft,” said Darryl Fales, chairman of FCMEC’s Board of Directors. “It illustrates the technology elements of masonry and the upward mobility available in the industry.”
The NCCERconnect eBook includes digital animations that help make difficult material easier for students to learn. Instructors can also take advantage of this resource by utilizing the classroom management tools to instruct their students more efficiently. The course materials are pre-loaded and ready for student use, but instructors can organize these materials to suit the needs of their classroom...

Continue Reading Press Release

Exoskeletons for Bricklayers:
Coming Soon to Masons Near You

Picture
Read the Article in Masonry Magazine

Balancing Act
Concrete Products Magazine Interviews

Rocky Jenkins
NCMA Chair / FCMEC Board member

A visit with 2021 NCMA Chairman Rocky Jenkins
BY DON MARSH
Rocky Jenkins’ career in manufactured concrete products was launched from a management trainee program in the house that Florida legend M.E. “Doc” Rinker built. That experience will serve Jenkins as the 2021 National Concrete Masonry Association
Chairman...
Read the Interview

Initial Cost of Construction study
Results of updates in 2020 
Concrete Masonry Construction
provides best value and lowest initial cost compared to other building materials

Picture
Study Results for Orlando & Tampa

Block Producers Reach New Consumer, Developer Engagement Threshold​

Block producers reach new consumer, developer engagement thresholdJanuary 25, 2021 Concrete NewsSources: Florida Concrete & Products Association, Orlando; CP staff

The www.BlockStrong.com site illustrates how concrete block walls reflect noise away before it enters an apartment or condominium, isolating it “to the originating unit.” A companion section details high R-value potential, another concrete block wall value proposition. IMAGES: Florida Concrete & Products Association

A Florida Concrete & Products Association and Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council Inc. campaign has achieved a milestone in building awareness of the benefits of concrete block construction in single family home and multiunit dwellings: Its centerpiece, the consumer- and professional-geared site, www.BlockStrong.com, has surpassed the 1 million annual visitor mark. The campaign’s primary mission is to help Sunshine State consumers, builders, design professionals and developers understand the vital link between wall construction and the health, safety and comfort of those living or occupying new homes, apartments or condominiums.  
​
“The volume of visitors to BlockStrong.com demonstrates the importance potential homebuyers are placing on using high-quality building materials for their new homes,” says FC&PA President Matt Sitter, who underscores the site’s function “as a great resource as they navigate the home-buying journey.”

“Through BlockStrong.com, consumers have seen the benefits, value, and beauty of a concrete block home,” adds Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council Executive Director Jim Painter. “Multifamily dwelling developers are [also] leveraging the site to help make sound investment decisions.”
Orlando-based Bright Rain Collaborative developed the Block Strong campaign in partnership with FC&PA. The agency populates BlockStrong.com with a) an extensive list of features helping visitors discover the benefits of concrete block construction, including energy efficiency, plus resistance to fire, storms, termites, mold, and mildew; b) an interactive storm tracker providing real-time radar imagery that is especially beneficial during Florida’s unpredictable rainy season; and, c) mortgage and mold mitigation calculators enabling visitors to customize their search to a specific buying journey. 
The site likewise offers resources tailored for multifamily project professionals and dispels the myth that apartment or condominium complexes cannot be constructed in a timely fashion using concrete. A deep-dive comparison of concrete, wood and steel, plus a feature on the importance of noise reduction—a top three criteria among renters—lead content offerings for design, construction and development professionals. 
Read Article

Picture

Building Walls Behind Bars: A Closer Look at the FDOC CTE Masonry Program
Building Walls Behind Bars: A Closer Look at the FDOC CTE Masonry Program8 minutes of readingWords: Cassandra Stern Photos: Swede Melgaard   In June 2019, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) released the most recent Florida Prison Recidivism Report. Every year, the Bureau of Research and Data Analysis within the Florida Department of Corrections takes a hard look at the rate of recidivism in their institutions- or the percentage of previously incarcerated …
Read More

Press Release

January 27, 2020
Contact: FDC Communications
(850) 488-0420

Florida Department of Corrections Hosts Inaugural Inmate Masonry CompetitionBaker Correctional Institution winners of first ever competition

SANDERSON, Fla. — 
Inmates from across the state traveled to Baker Correctional Institution to compete in the first ever Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) inter-institutional inmate masonry competition. Seven teams from various Florida correctional institutions showcased their masonry skills, judged by members of the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Educational Foundation (FMAEF).

“This is a perfect model of how we are trying to take our rehabilitation programming and actually have it contribute to restoring the men and women under our care back to their communities with a skill that can immediately result in employment,” said FDC Secretary Mark S. Inch. “This competition demonstrates the skill that meets industry standards for immediate employment. ​
Florida Department of Corrections
Inter-Institutional Inmate Masonry Competition
We have skilled instructors that are following industry standards, and we have great support from the business community; both from professional and educational organizations.”

Masonry competitions are used industry wide to highlight the quality, skill and fidelity of masonry education programs. FDC’s masonry programs offer industry-recognized certifications through rigorous coursework and hands-on experience. This training program equips inmates with the skills necessary for employment. Prior to release, inmates are paired with industry professionals through FMAEF to assist with immediate employment opportunities.

Bradley Kibbe, Executive Director, Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Educational Foundation, said, “This event brings people together from our industry, from the Department of Corrections, local schools and different agencies, masonry contractors… to let everybody see the work that’s going on within the Department of Corrections to train people to be workforce ready when they’re eligible to come on out and join us in the workforce.”
​

Paul Rivers, President, Northeast Florida Masonry Chapter said, “I’ve seen these guys grow. Now, we’re having over a dozen guys that are coming together that have skills that we can put together and continue to hone once they are out of here… Most of these guys when they come out they’re thankful to one have a job, and two, to be doing a job that they’ve worked on… so we try to help that and keep motivating these guys because we know it’s hard, it’s a big lifestyle change.” said, “I’ve seen these guys grow. Now, we’re having over a dozen guys that are coming together that have skills that we can put together and continue to hone once they are out of here… Most of these guys when they come out they’re thankful to one have a job, and two, to be doing a job that they’ve worked on… so we try to help that and keep motivating these guys because we know it’s hard, it’s a big lifestyle change.”

At the conclusion of the competition, guest judges from the masonry industry awarded the team from Baker Correctional Institution with top honors, followed by Columbia CI Annex and Hamilton Correctional Institution.

​Why We Need Apprenticeship Programs for High School Students​

​"...employers know that if they don't help train the workforce, they will be caught in a cycle of training them much later in life when it is more expensive or spending considerable money to poach workers from others while also managing low worker engagement." ​
Read the 'Construct Your Future' Article

Wood vs. Concrete:
The Best Choice for Builders and GCs

Read the Article by Giatec Scientific, Inc.

​Concrete Masonry Is More Cost Effective Than Wood
Courtesy of www. buildingstudies.org

Read the Study
Contact:  Jim Painter, Executive Director 407-988-4614 or jim@floridamasonrycouncil.org
Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council, Inc.
6353 Lee Vista Blvd.                   P.O. Box 12018
Orlando, FL 32822                      Gainesville, FL 32604

(c) Copyright
Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council, Inc. - 2015 - 2021. All rights
​     reserved.
Picture