What happens when an industry that once laid 6 billion blocks a year drops to just 1 billion?

In this episode of In the Mix, Adam sits down with Ron Adams, President of Cascade Construction and the Washington State Conference of Mason Contractors, to unpack the past, present, and future of the masonry industry—and what it will take to rebuild momentum.

From family legacy to industry leadership, Ron shares how masonry has evolved over the decades, why demand has shifted, and where the biggest opportunities lie right now.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level insights. It dives into the real challenges contractors, architects, and engineers face—and how collaboration, education, and smarter building strategies can bring masonry back to the forefront.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Ron Adams built his career in masonry—and the legacy behind it
• The surprising decline from 6 billion to 1 billion blocks per year
• Why masonry is often replaced (and why that assumption may be wrong)
• The efficiency myth: Is masonry actually slower and more expensive?
• How progressive design-build is changing construction collaboration
• The role of the MCAA and CMU checkoff program in shaping the industry
• Why architects and engineers need better masonry education
• The truth about energy efficiency, sustainability, and thermal performance
• How events like the Bricklayer 500 and Bricklayer 5,000 are reshaping industry culture
• What contractors can do right now to create more opportunities

Connect with Ron: https://cascademasonry.com

Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

Masonry isn’t something most people plan on getting into, but once you’re in, you stay.

In this episode of In The Mix, Adam sits down with Jed Olafson, President of the Northwest Masonry Institute and co-owner of Johnston Construction, to talk about a career that started in drafting and turned into decades of leadership in the field.

Jed shares how he got his start designing panelized systems, working back when everything was drawn by hand, and how that technical foundation shaped the way he approaches masonry today. From early AutoCAD adoption to coordinating complex panel systems, his experience shows how good planning leads to better builds.

This conversation gets into the real side of the industry—how projects actually come together, what works, and what doesn’t.

In this episode:

• How panelized masonry systems improve efficiency and reduce jobsite complexity
• Why drafting and pre-planning still matter more than people think
• The transition from one generation of leadership to the next—and what it takes to make it work
• How family businesses continue to shape the industry
• Where masonry stands today against competing materials

Connect with Jed: https://johnstonconstruction.net/about

Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

In the Mix is the podcast that puts masonry in the spotlight—block by block, brick by brick.

Hosted by Adam Hutchinson, Executive Director of the Northwest Masonry Institute and a licensed engineer in Washington, this podcast explores the real-world impact of masonry construction on modern building design.

Each week, Adam sits down with architects, structural engineers, contractors, and building owners to break down how masonry—including brick, block, and stone—supports resilient design, seismic performance, fire resistance, and long-lasting construction.

From commercial construction projects to sustainable building materials, In the Mix covers the strategies, innovations, and challenges shaping the future of the built environment. Whether you're designing structures, managing projects, or specifying materials, you’ll gain practical insights you can actually apply.

If you’re interested in masonry design, construction methods, building durability, and high-performance materials, this show will help you build smarter and more effectively.

Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix