MASONRY OPEN HOUSE @ BAKER CORRECTIONAL

On Wednesday January 11, 2017, the Masonry Association of Florida was invited to a Masonry Open House sponsored by the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship and Educational Foundation. Baker Correctional Masonry Instructor Robert S. Melgaard invited the MAF members and Masonry Contractors from North Florida to visit his classroom and masonry practice area.

The Open House was a great success with 21 people attending.  Attendees included: Jim Painter from the Florida Concrete & Masonry Educational Foundation; Jerry Painter representing the MAF; Bill Lauver from the Department of Education Apprenticeship Division; Al Herndon from the FMAEF; and, three representatives from RD Masonry in Jacksonville, including Owner Joe Bucher, Mike Bosshart and Ted Cleland. Capital Concrete & Masonry Solutions Project Manager Paul Rivers; Tom Taylor from Taylor Concrete; and Steve Meggs from ARGOS attended the program.  Also present were 3 area masonry instructors: Mike Beville, Derwin Bass and Robert T. Melgaard. There were two representatives from Florida State College of Jacksonville: Carissa Gardner and Lindsay Bowen. Operation New Hope’s Linda Mack was there as well as Dwaine Sweet from the CareerSource NE Florida.

After completing the check-in process, the attendees were taken on a tour of the Department of Corrections education facility. The group observed how inmates are screened, which education programs are available for them, and how masonry students are selected for Mr. Melgaard’s class.
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When the tour was completed, the attendees had the opportunity to meet and speak with the masonry students in the masonry Lab. The visitors also saw the students’ hands on projects. Robert Melgaard, Al Herndon, Jim Painter spoke to the students and participants. Jerry Painter gave an excellent presentation to the inmates on what it will take for them to come into the masonry trade and urged them to put the masonry skills they have learned in Mr. Melgaard’s class go to good use. Jerry’s presentation was certainly well received by the students and everyone present. After a question and answer period, the attendees had a working lunch provided by the Department of Corrections Culinary Department.

​For more information contact Al Herndon herndon3@bellsouth.net