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MUDSLINGERS | BEHIND THE SCENES

donate to the Alabama Workforce Training are never going to leave, it is in your blood’.” added, “An event that size could not happen
Center and to Skills USA events in Alabama Coyne confessed that when you are part of without the help of the local masonry industry
and the Panhandle of Florida. “Donations ben- such things as The Phoenix Project – the re- and NCMCA.”
efit everyone involved. We need to bring the pairing of the Pentagon after 911, your heart “Associations bring the industry together in
next generation in massive numbers or archi- tends to get involved. Years later he still cares. many ways. Through them we all come togeth-
tects will find other methods to build. We need “If there is a problem I care that it is solved. I er to help promote and recruit new methods,
the correct masons on the job. We don’t want care that we give good product to our custom- standards, and client base. Helping each other,
to give them the opportunity to look for some- ers. The more I give the more I get back.” educating each other maintains development.
thing else. It is crucial that we donate in order Ten years in as a SPEC MIX Regional Sales Bidding on the same jobs happens but we all
for the kids to hone their skills. Masonry is a Manager he knows what it takes to put on a Re- are friends and belong to the same associ-
first choice and best product.” gional SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 – a team! ations. At the end of the day we all have the
“We understand the value of sharing knowl- As a leader he makes sure everyone is part of same goal – promoting the trade.”
edge in the community. It is why SPEC MIX the whole experience. “I love teamwork. I like According to Coyne promoting the trade in-
does continuing education programs for the to imagine that we are all equal. We all put our cludes recruiting a new generation. “Kids are
architectural community. Sharing knowledge pants on the same way. With an open dialog I often so involved in the technology aspect that
help architects achieve superior results on their hope the team never holds anything back and they are not used to getting out and getting
masonry projects. It is also why SPEC MIX supports each other. The people I work with dirty. Learning from the pros getting hands-
works with testing agencies to ensure compli- every day are the best people in masonry, in on experience goes a long way for students to
ance with ASTM in regards to field-testing of the construction business.” learn about the trade and the camaraderie that
materials. That means quality control and con- According to Coyne it takes a SPEC MIX team goes with it.”
sistency. Again, it is why we are the first choice and beyond. “From the start of any regional
and the best choice.” “Equally important as cultivating apprentic-
MUDSLINGERS:

SOUTHEAST REGION

Two weeks before the North Carolina Regional
Ryan Coyne spent the night with his young-
est daughter putting together and packaging
up the shirts and hats for competitors. As a de
facto team member she helps Dad get it done.
“What other industry has regional events that
send their journeymen and apprentices to Las
Vegas for an ultimate grand prize of a Ford
truck? An aerial shot of the contest grounds
is a good way to take in just how massive the
National SMBL 500 event is. It is fun and it is preparation it takes reaching out and relying on es is architect interaction. You get what you
always good to have a little fun. We want fu- relationships within the industry. For example spec. Helping architects understand the trade,
ture masons there, masons and tenders, men one of the first things that need to happen is to highlighting the quality and consistency of the
and women. We want our youth to watch their secure a host facility. With its’ popularity many product, solving perceived issues, connecting
elders so they can carry on the trade. It is the people want to host the event. The 2018 host with the American Institute of Architects, pro-
beautiful part of our industry. We do not make Johnson Concrete (as all the hosts in the past) moting endless amount of designs, all need
money from this. It all goes back to promoting met again and again, securing the agenda, go- attention. It is all a part of a SPEC MIX team
masonry, supporting the industry.” ing above and beyond to make the regional the members’ day.”
Coyne has been a part of the QUIKRETE local event of the year.” That year over 25 high One of Coyne’s first big projects was working
Companies since 1998 including the year that schools, over 400 masonry students participate to secure the Native American Museum in DC.
he left then returned to the role as his heart and about 1000 attendees joined the masonry “My boss and I worked hard to get the project
was still there. “A VP told me once, ‘Ryan you celebration. Knowing it takes a village Coyne going. Meeting obstacles and working them

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