Page 28 - 2019_magazine_webversion_RS

1 DAVID CHAVEZ

2018 WORLD CHAMPION

TENDER: MIGUEL CONTRERAS
RANCH MASONRY - HOUSTON, TX

o become the “World’s Best Bricklayer” at the SPECMIX BRICKLAYER
500®, as 2018 Champ David Chavez did, you have to know the event
Texists. “I had never imagined a competition like this much less that I
would participate in it,” Chavez admitted. A few years back Chavez’s boss Arturo Garcilazo of Ranch Masonry had been to Las Vegas to the World
of Concrete show and saw the SPECMIX BRICKLAYER 500 competition. Back home in Houston he told Chavez about it and asked if he wanted to
compete. “My Boss showed me a video and it was then I knew I wanted to be in the competition.”
The first time he entered the contest his nerves got the best of him. His second attempt he was less nervous and took 2nd place. His third time
entering, he got control of his nerves and it all came together. But this time he credits preperation for carrying him to victory. Chavez built practice
walls similar to the competition requirements and is certain this got him accustomed to the layout and ready for the 2018 competition. “I knew
that it was possible that I could win if I stayed focused. After the contest I was confident that I had built a good wall. I also knew I was up against
the best masons…there were 27 other world class masons so that made me a little unsure…but the judges kept coming back to check my wall…so
I knew I was in the running.”

Back in Houston his family and a lot of coworkers were watching the live stream. With his 3 children in school and a new baby, his wife Lizzette had
stayed in Houston while Chavez’s Boss and some coworkers traveled to Las Vegas with him. When it was announced he won 1st place his phone
blew up with phone calls and text messages. “I felt extremely happy and at the same time extremely relieved because I knew all my hard work paid
off.” When he got home in his new truck the first thing he did was drive his family out to dinner to celebrate. Chavez’s win comes with an additional
accomplishment. He is the first Hispanic to take the title and that is something that is very important to him. Now he is an example within his
community of what can be achieved.

Growing up in the small town of Michoacan, Mexico, Chavez went to school during the week and worked alongside his father in construction on
the weekends. It is his father that he credits as his best supporter and teacher. “He taught me to work hard at whatever I decided to do.” It was not
until joining his brother, Juan Carlos, in Texas, that he began laing brick. Newly wed to wife Lizzette and new to Texas, his brother introduced him
to and taught him the masonry trade. Later moving on to work for Ranch Masonry he worked his way to field supervisor. Now he has the opportu-
nity to pass on the skills of the trade. One day Chavez wants to focus completely on teaching the trade instilling skills and motivation in order for
younger generations to compete for a title of their own.
For now Chavez uses his spare time to speak to the younger Hispanic community about the possibility of making masonry the trade of their choice.
“It is satisfying work and it pays well. We will always need masons. No machine will ever be able to do that kind of work.”

“I do know that people are aware that Ranch Masonry has the best bricklayer in the world (He has his own parking space that says SPEC MIX
BRICKLAYER 500 champ and has had numerous local interviews). By winning the competition people take note and listen a little closer about
the benefits of working in the masonry industry. “After the win I was congratulated by a lot of people. I do not think I am a hero, but I feel I earned
people’s respect.” With that respect and his skills Chavez will be a part of creating the next set of masons.

28 28 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 | 2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
®