Masonry Magazine June 2001 Page. 44
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BELTON BRYCE KOONTZ MEMORIAL
Belton Bryce Koontz, 76, a charter member and the third state president of the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association, passed away April 8, 2001 at his home in Lexington, NC after an extended illness. Mr. Koontz was the founder of Koontz Masonry, Inc. in Lexington and the father of NCMCA past-president and present chairman of the NCMCA board of directors, Freddy Koontz and his brothers Stanley and Roger Koontz, who continue to own, manage and operate the family business. Mr. Koontz was born in Davidson County, NC on October 28, 1924, served as Chief Petty Officer in the Merchant Marine during World War II and founded his masonry contracting business in 1949.
The son of Burley Marshall Koontz and Daisy Fishel Koontz, both deceased, is survived, in addition to his sons, by his wife, Mary Virginia Leonard Koontz, brothers Stowe Koontz, Leon Koontz and Conley Koontz, a sister, Virginia Murphy, nine grandchildren, many of whom are active in the family business, and six great grandchildren.
The family has suggested an appropriate memorial would be a donation to the Reeds Baptist Church New Building Fund, where Mr. Koontz served as Sunday School Teacher and Deacon. Address: Reeds Baptist Church, 180 Reeds Baptist Church Road, Lexington, NC 27295.
BOETTCHER MASONRY FIRST U.S. MASON CONTRACTOR TO EARN ISO 9002 RATING
Edgar Boettcher Mason Contractor, Inc. of Traverse City and Bay City announced today that it is the first known mason contractor company in the United States to have earned the comprehensive ISO 9002 certification. ISO, The International Organization for Standard, is the most accepted international quality system in today's global market. The certification involves nineteen elements related to safety, quality production, installation, and service as well as continuous improvement. The certification entailed a yearlong preparation process and with this certification, all construction practices will be carefully audited regularly for compliance.
"We undertook this process as another step toward the continual improvement of our company," comments Ed Boettcher III. "We started the formal process of quality improvement after attending the MCAA Masonry Quality Institute Seminar. I found the goal of zero defects to be necessary, but stressful to obtain. The ISO program offered us a systemic approach toward accomplishing this goal. You still need qualified and trained personnel (ISO has requirements to monitor employee training), but now our employees have in place a system to simplify and define our process of project implementation. I hope someday the building code will recognize a certified quality contractor in lieu of its current inspection process."
Steve Fournier, Vice President of Boettcher comments, "This process will greatly improve my company through increased productivity, efficiency and higher customer satisfaction." "This is another step toward making my company the best mason contractor in the country," says Mike Radosa, co-owner of Boettcher Masonry.
Founded in 1950, Boettcher Masonry specializes in masonry services for commercial and industrial construction. Boettcher is ranked 16th in the nation by Engineering News Record.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Arizona Masonry Guild Elects New Board/Officers
The Arizona Masonry Guild (AMG), a non-profit organization, held its annual meeting last month to elect the 2001-2002 board members and officers. Eighteen members were elected to the board of directors for a two-year term.
Newly elected officers include Duane Young of Advanced Production Manufacturing, Inc., Tucson, President; Sharon Del Duca-France of Marvel Building & Masonry Supply, Phoenix, Vice President: Doug Ward of Superlite Block, Phoenix, Secretary; Todd Nessler of Sun Valley Masonry, Inc., Treasurer. The outgoing president is Tony Ponte of United Metro Materials, Phoenix.
The Young family has served the industry for generations. They started Young Block, a block manufacturing facility in Sierra Vista, in 1971 and opened the Tucson plant in 1979. In 1988, Duane Young was appointed general manager of the business. Under his direction, the company grew 400% in 11 years. The company was sold in 1999.
Young founded and manages Advanced Production Manufacturing, Inc., a manufacturer of state-of-the art block production equipment. He currently holds patents on the equipment his company developed and now markets.
Aside from president of the Arizona Masonry Guild, he also serves as the organization's public relations committee chairperson and is past vice president and treasurer. He is a founding member of the Western States Block Producers Group, an organization representing block manufactures in 10 western states. In 1998/99, Young was named as a Honor Member of the National Registrar's Who's Who in Executive and Business.
Oldcastle Architectural Products Group Names New Manager
AKRON, Ohio (April 18, 2001)-Stephen S. Szoke, P.E., C.D.T., has been named manager of national accounts for Oldcastle Architectural Products Group (APG). Oldcastle APG companies produce and supply concrete and clay masonry units and other related products throughout the U.S.
Szoke comes to Oldcastle APG with nearly 25 years experience in the clay and concrete masonry industry. As manager of national accounts, he is responsible for market development activities with companies building multiple projects throughout North America. The unique structure of Oldcastle APG provides a network of 31 Oldcastle companies and more than 50 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. to ensure product availability and consistency in meeting specifications at all customer locations.