New Name - Same Mission

"Sometimes when we are on the Hill and working in these other areas, and we say 'we are here with ICE,' it is not going over quite the way we hoped it would," joked BAC President Tim Driscoll at the opening of the 2026 BAC Labor/Management Craft Committee Meetings when introducing President Michael Schmerbeck. As the old "ICE" logo on the screen changed, Schmerbeck announced the beginning of a new era for the organization as North America's Union Masonry Contractors (UMC).

Prior to turning the podium over to Schmerbeck, Driscoll also said "I would encourage all of our local unions when [UMC] is coordinating and talking with local associations and employers that we do what we can to be helpful to them, because they are great partners on the national stage."

The new logo and name were born "out of necessity," said Schmerbeck, but they also gave the organization an opportunity to make a bold statement about who we are.

Succession Planning Workshop Helps

Contractors Solve Business Continuity

April 14-15



This program is free to signatory contractors.

Get expert support in creating a succession plan for your company—because it’s never too early to protect the future of the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

Join North America’s Union Masonry Contractors for a Succession Planning Workshop April 14-15 at the John J. Flynn BAC/IMI International Training Center in Bowie, Maryland.

Learn how to identify and prepare future leadership, explore ownership transfer options, understand key compensation considerations, and more. 

Get the details and apply to attend.

BAC Labor-Management Craft Committees

The two days of Labor-Management Craft Committee Meetings in mid February featured the kind of collaboration that comes from true partnership, as Union leaders and UMC Contractors heard presentations from experts related to each craft's work, received reports on industry programs and partnerships and endeavored as partners to discuss ways to address current industry issues and capitalize on current industry opportunities.

Committees

Brick and Block

Stone

Tile, Marble and Terrazzo

Restoration and Retrofit

Cement

Plaster

Refractory

2025 Annual Meeting

The 2025 (ICE) Annual Meeting was the most ambitious so far, as the attendees attempted to make sense of the current role and future possibilities of AI and other cutting edge technology in masonry construction. After old-school industry updates and reports on the construction market and financial markets, Dr. Chris Nagy of Nagy Education Group gave the attendees An AI Primer for Understanding and Unleashing Tech for Real-World Impact, and IMI Director of Industry Development & Technical Services, Dan Siteman, brought the subject closer to home by presenting Applicable Technology for Masonry Contractors. Spencer Jacobsen and Henry Aguilar of Works In Stone showed how material technology and 3D imaging can revolutionize terra cotta repair and replacement with their product, Castcotta. Envision Innovative Solutions LLC demonstrated the potential use of VR goggles originally developed for the military for use in masonry training programs. Bringing it all together and the all important general contractor perspective, Pushkar Mahabaleshwarkar of Turner Construction gave attendees an presenation on his firm's approach to and current use of technology and left them with the message "Adopt Early, Lead Early."

2025 Eugene George Award

The final order of business of ICE before its name change turned out to be joining with its first affiliate, the Masonry Contractors New Jersey, in awarding Michael Schmerbeck the UMC Eugene George Dedication Award and the Masonry Contractors of New Jersey Dedication Award at the same time. Schmerbeck is President of both organizations, and was celebrated by contractors, customers, union leaders and partners at the local, regional, national and international levels. The event was done in typical Masonry Contractors of New Jersey style. Photos can be seen on their website.

Emerging Contractor Class Covers Estimating, Plans, Specs, & Project Management

IMI is hosting its Emerging Contractor Development Program, April 16-17 at the John J. Flynn BAC/IMI International Training Center in Bowie, Maryland.

This two-day, in-person program is designed for BAC signatory contractors and emerging project leaders who are ready to strengthen their understanding of how construction projects and businesses are successfully managed. Building on foundational contractor knowledge, the program takes a deeper dive into business operations, estimating, contract documents, project execution, and quality oversight.

Get more information and register to join us.

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