To quote well known scholar and author Peter Drucker, “Leadership is doing the right things. Great leaders set direction, build an inspiring vision, and guide people to achieve common goals.” Clem Hellmann embodied these qualities throughout his 30 year career in the masonry industry.
Clem and his wife Mary Jo entered the masonry industry in September of 1987 with the purchase of Quality Block Company in Phoenix. Clem was actively involved in the masonry industry and lived the “Givers Gain” philosophy. A philosophy of “What we are given in life, we need to share and give back”.
As a member of the Arizona Masonry Contractors Association, Clem not only supported AMCA financially, but truly gave of himself. He was actively involved, or in today’s terms, “showed up” and “was present.”
He volunteered many hours to the masonry industry serving as a long-standing Board Member of the Arizona Masonry Contractors Association (AMCA) and Arizona Masonry Guild (AMG) and was State Chair for the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA).
He is credited helping producers and contractors understand that non-masonry products/systems are the true “competition” and was the unifying force that brought members together to work for the good of the industry.
He was the industry’s official “Master of Masonry Ceremonies” for all major events including AMCA’s Annual Dinner, Regional Fastest Trowel & Masonry Skills Challenge Competitions and AMG’s Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards Banquet.
Clem was a strong supporter of our industry’s workforce development efforts.
While serving on the AMCA Apprenticeship Committee, he was involved with the move of the AMCA’s apprenticeship program to the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), where it is still in place today. He also served as the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Construction Technologies Class at EVIT.
He believed the way to attract new talent into the industry was to expose students to the masonry trade in high school.
In his words, “If we can interest students at this level, it is the best way to begin to fill the vast need for construction personnel and careers at all levels.”
His belief was so strong that he paid for a full-time masonry instructor at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) to work directly with construction students for over five years.
Clem also encouraged and supported members of the Quality Block staff to volunteer their time during works hours to take part in various masonry industry association meetings, events and committee meetings.
In 2007, Clem was presented the AMCA’s Leader of the Year Award. In fact, he was the first person to receive the award established to recognize a member of the masonry industry who contributes time & expertise to industry associations, plays an active role in civic & community affairs, and assists fellow industry members. In short, he or she exemplifies the very best by continually bringing credit to the industry.
Clem’s service and contributions to the masonry industry was so well respected that he also received the Arizona Masonry Guild’s Bart Del Duca Award in 2007 as well. The Arizona Masonry Guild bestows that honor upon one person in recognition of notable and outstanding performance, service or significant achievement in the masonry industry.
Clem passed away in October of 2017. In his honor, the Arizona Masonry Contractors Association established the Clem Hellmann Leadership Award in 2018. This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the masonry community through leadership of, and/or involvement initiatives that have resulted in industry-wide impact and is representative of the highest level of leadership and involvement. The first Clem Hellmann Leadership Award Leadership Award was presented to Mike Sutter, Sutter Masonry on February 21, 2018. Clem’s absence in the masonry industry is felt every day, but his legacy of working together to build a better future for our industry will live on and inspire many generations to come.
Entered the masonry industry in 1987 with the purchase of Quality Block Company in Phoenix. Actively involved in the masonry industry and lived the “Givers Gain” philosophy. Volunteered many hours, serving as a long-standing Board Member of the Arizona Masonry Contractors Association (AMCA), the Arizona Masonry Guild (AMG), and as Arizona State Chair for the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA). Official “Master of Masonry Ceremonies” for all major AMCA events. Strong supporter of workforce development efforts including active involvement in the AMCA’s Apprenticeship Committee. Awarded AMCA’s Leader of the Year Award in 1997. Clem Hellmann Leadership Award established in his honor in 2018.