89R18913 BPG-D
By: Campbell S.R. No. 299
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Texas Masonry Hall of Fame is inducting Mackie
Bounds, Kevin Camarata, Dennis Knautz, and Mel Oller on March 20,
2025, in a ceremony conducted at the Alamo in San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, A towering figure in Texas commercial masonry for
more than four decades, Mackie Bounds joined Al Brown Masonry in
1980; he went on to shape the industry as a founding member and
president of the Central Texas Masonry Contractors Association; in
addition, he has served as president of the Texas Construction
Association, Mason Contractors Association of America, and Texas
Masonry Council; he has been a tireless, visionary advocate for
masonry and oversaw the creation of the Masonry Rocks workforce
development program, which has introduced thousands of high school
students to the trade; and
WHEREAS, Kevin Camarata has advanced Texas masonry over the
course of four decades; as CEO of Camarata Masonry Systems, he built
one of the nation's largest firms, which has redrawn Houston's
skyline with such iconic projects as Enron Field and Rice
University; he served as president of the board of TMC and authored
key bylaws and fostered supplier engagement; recognizing the
importance of workforce development, he championed training
programs through Construction Career Collaborative; he also guided
industry best practices through involvement with MCAA and the
Associated Masonry Contractors of Houston; and
WHEREAS, A pioneering architect of today's TMC, Dennis Knautz
changed the industry's landscape through his steadfast commitment
to corporate responsibility; during a career with Acme Brick
spanning over four decades, he helped orchestrate the merger of TMC
and the Southwest Brick Institute, resulting in a strong funding
framework for statewide growth and advocacy; moreover, he has
encouraged leadership from major manufacturers, championed masonry
ordinances, and guided organizations through challenging times;
and
WHEREAS, Mel Oller has strengthened professional
associations through careful financial stewardship and steadfast
devotion; he has served twice as TMC president, and he is a former
president of the Associated Masonry Contractors of Houston as well;
through national ASTM committees, he has been a powerful voice for
fair codes; a trained union bricklayer turned estimator, he revived
vital cost guides, and he has worked to preserve industry history;
in addition, he has mentored and taught countless younger masons;
and
WHEREAS, Generously sharing their time and expertise, these
inductees have elevated the masonry construction industry across
the Lone Star State, and in so doing, they have inspired others to
uphold a tradition of excellence and innovation; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature
hereby congratulate Mackie Bounds, Kevin Camarata, Dennis Knautz,
and Mel Oller on their induction in the Texas Masonry Hall of Fame
and extend to them sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
for the inductees as an expression of high regard by the Texas
Senate.