Making a difference: Kimberly M. Kahl's passion for making contractors better in her home state of Arizona and across the nation is the driving force behind her selection as the 2003 MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine "Industry Leader of the Year."

Masonry Construction, Nov-Dec, 2003

Leaders come in many forms and employ many styles. And when you really analyze the common qualities of leadership, one of the many shared attributes for success is passion.

It was this element of Kimberly M. Kahl's involvement in the national, regional, and local masonry industries that earned her recognition and the selection as the 2003 MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine's "Industry Leader of the Year."

In her short but active career in association involvement, Kahl has delivered a freshness to an industry that needed a youthful zeal. She describes her current position as "a one person office representing the needs and desires of the Arizona Masonry Contractors Association members." But as her Arizona members know, Kahl has always had an eye on the national growth of the contractor trades as well.

Kahl served as chairperson of SkillsUSA-VICA's Masonry Committee for several years. Succeeding long-time chairman Bill Kjorlien, she expanded the competition's reach by creating a closer unification of contractor/association managed vocational programs with the traditional secondary and post secondary school endeavors. She also brought in more committee members to help increase the industry's awareness of this important program.

These types of actions were only natural for Kahl. Prior to moving to Phoenix, she was involved in workforce development for the Mason Contractors Association of America, Schaumburg, Ill. In that role, Kahl was instrumental in organizing and developing local and regional apprentice competitions for MCAA members. The national competition culminating the competitions is held during the Masonry Showcase, which is MCAA'a annual trade show and convention. Next year's event will be held March 22-24 in Las Vegas.

Our "leader" credits MCAA Executive Director Mike Adelizzi with generating her enthusiasm for workforce development. "MCAA membership needed to develop a strong workforce to eventually replace our aging craftsmen, and we were given the challenge," she said. "Mike and the member contractors ware instrumental contributors in nurturing my masonry knowledge base and emphasizing the industry's overriding reliance on quality workmen."

Another key workforce group that has benefited from Kahl's training zeal is the Masonry Instructors Association. While at MCAA, Kahl worked closely with this group in coordinating training material and national recruitment. These educators recently awarded Kahl a plaque for her involvement and meritorious service.

After relocating to Arizona, Kahl used her national experiences to enhance the state association's stature and continued her zeal for worker development. Her member contractors sponsored their own state-wide apprentice competition in October with more than 500 spectators on hand for the annual day-long series of events and competitions. Some events were even broadcast live on two radio stations.

With the recent decline in commercial construction, Kahl's zeal has been directed to the next step of the ladder: The association has embarked on the path of differentiating quality work. Beginning in 2004, Kahl is offering a masonry contractor certification program. The goal is that building owners and specifiers will include a contractor certification clause as part of the pre-bid qualification process.

It's an attempt to raise the level of recognition of quality workmanship, explained Kahl. "And in meeting with owner groups, architects, and specifiers, we think that the need for contractor certification will become the norm instead of the exception," she added.

To meet the certification requirements, Kahl is developing a course involving nationally-recognized speakers and experts to enhance her contractors' knowledge base. Again, this connection is an extension of her MCAA background. While there, Kahl was instrumental in expanding the Masonry Showcase's seminar program.

Another of Kahl's goals for 2004 is to help her contractor members become more aware of the state and local laws that can aid them in business. The Arizona state legislature recently enacted several laws that are pro-contractor, such as a new payment rule that requires owners to pay contractors as work is completed, according to Kahl.

What has been Arizona's gain, has been the national masonry industry's loss. Kahl recently resigned as chairperson of the SkillsUSA competition to focus on her local association's efforts. And soon there will be even a lot more "local attention" to deal with. Kahl and her husband are expecting their first child in late spring.