Bill Holden is helping his fellow block and paver producers mold a new future for the masonry production industry. Through his efforts, producers are widening their marketing approach from local to mega-regional, and even national initiatives.

Holden is a key player in the push to demonstrate the worthiness of masonry structures in rebuilding the Gulf Coast region that was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. He supports pushing and educating zoning officials, architectural education on new building codes, and promoting masonry as an economic solution to safe rebuilding of residential construction.

Holden is a relative newcomer to the industry, having been a former manager in his company's ready-mixed concrete operations After his short involvement on a national level, his peers have recognized his influence and leadership. As the incoming president of the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), Holden is poised to take the leadership of this important national organization as it embarks on a journey of rediscovery.

In the next 18 months, the NCMA will unveil its expanded research facility and host its first solo tradeshow in a decade. Holden doesn't believe these two activities are separate initiatives.

Rather, these two, combined events demonstrate masonry's national influence. The NCMA laboratory has also been conducting code research to increase structural safety and performance.

Holden's passion is pursuing a stronger, integrated approach to marketing block. His actions will be an important influence in the industry's attempt to compete against plastic, steel, and wood.

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