Sixteen-year old Chaz Tomberlin, an apprentice with McGee Brothers in Monroe, has started excelling early in his career as champion of the 62nd annual NC Department of Commerce State Fair Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest, the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA) reports in its newsletter.
Other top finishers: Hayden McGee, Second Place, McGee Brothers Company; Justin York, Third Place, Huntley Brothers; Kaleb McGee, Fourth Place, McGee Brothers; Swede Huntley, Fifth Place, Huntley Brothers Company. Results for the high school/pre-apprentice division: First Place, Colson Childers, South Rowan High School; Second Place, Jarrett Ennis,
Central Cabarrus High School; and Third Place, Eli Brady, Eastern Randolph High School.
Sixteen high school masonry students from nine high schools and 12 apprentices from five masonry contracting firms participated in the Raleigh event on Oct. 9.
NCMCA reports that the new apprentice champion is the son of Greg and Aretha Tomberlin of Monroe and is a homeschooled, recent graduate of Penn Foster High School. His supervisor at McGee Brothers is Marty Munn and his foreman is Trevin Munn.
Chaz, who will be 17 in February, says: “I love deer and turkey hunting, anything to do with outside. My plans are to run a crew for McGee Bros one day. I had such an awesome time at the contest. It was a blast! I’m looking forward to more in the future!”
He credits his father for his interest and success.
“If it wasn’t for my dad, I probably wouldn’t be into masonry at all. He ran a crew at McGee Brothers for about 20 years and he helped me a lot preparing for the contest. He has worked with me since I was about seven.”
He also says his late uncle, Sam McGee, had a major influence in his life.
“I also would like to think Uncle Sam McGee for his masonry class that he provided for all of us Shiloh Vocational students
to go through. He taught us so much about brick work and facts about life that have really helped us down the road of life. I hate he wasn’t there to see me win. I know he would have been so proud of all of us! Uncle Sam will be greatly missed.”
NCMCA says the contest award ceremony included a minute of silence in memory of Sam McGee who had always been a regular fixture at all masonry apprentice competitions until he died in September.
NCMCA member firms provided materials, equipment, volunteers, judges and more than $6,000 in financial contributions.