NCMCA presents Upton Award

Words: Gary Joyner, Kenny Duncan, Billy WalkerFor only the tenth time in North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA) history, an associate NCMCA member has been recognized for exemplary service to the Association and to the masonry industry with the prestigious Eleanor Flowers Upton Award.

Kenny Duncan, who started with Santee Cement (now Holcim US, Inc.) in 1986 when hired by another Upton Award recipient, the late Billy Walker, was presented the award at the 2013 NCMCA Annual Convention Banquet Saturday evening April 13th in Myrtle Beach, SC.

NCMCA President Gary Joyner, a longtime friend of Duncan’s, who made the presentation, called Duncan a “masonry specialist and problem solver” who understands masonry mortar in a way that only a journeyman mason can. Duncan for years served as co-chair for the NCMCA Central Piedmont Chapter Danny Koonts Memorial Golf Tournament, and was an early supporter of the NCMCA Masonry Contractor Certification Program. He convinced Holcim of the program’s value to the industry, resulting in important Holcim financial “seed money” grants to get the North Carolina certification program underway.

Previous Upton Award recipients attending the banquet joined Duncan in celebrating the occasion.

The award is named in honor of NCMCA’s first Executive Director. Kenny Duncan and his wife Vickie live in Reidsville, NC. The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association was chartered in April of 1974 and presently has 134 member firms in eight local chapters across the state.
About: SpotlightFeatured
 0
One For The Ages - The 75th Midyear
April 2025

“One for the ages” this is how I would describe the upcoming midyear to anyone who has never attended or are undecided about attending MCAAs 75th Anniversary at The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island September 7-11 2025. In short “one for the ages” means so

Mason Hill Ruth Hill
Featured
Membership Midyear Meeting
Read More
A Greener Future Through Masonry
April 2025

When it comes to building a more sustainable future, the construction and building materials sector has a lot of room for growth. According to the most recent data, construction and building-related emissions are responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emis

John Cicciarelli
Featured
Block Carbon Reduction Cement Commercial Concrete Calculators General Education Manufactured Stone Masonry Cement Preblended - Mortar Preblended Ready Mix Restoration - Minor Restoration
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast Episode 19 Recap: Mike & Tom Finch
April 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Mike and Tom Finch join the set in Indianapolis to crack jokes, talk about how they both got started in this industry, and the ways they've seen this trade advance and evolve over the years. The Roots of a F

Justin Stengel
Featured
Industrial
Read More
Echelon Masonry Introduces Ashton Brick, Its Latest Line of Artisan Masonry Veneers
April 2025

Echelon Masonry, North America’s leader in architectural masonry products and materials, announces the availability of its newest product line of artisan masonry veneers, Ashton Brick, in select states. Combining a classic brick aesthetic with durable con

Kevin Torok
Brick Commercial Veneer
Read More