Michael Maher, Interim President/Senior Project Manager
Mike’s family background in the masonry industry goes back to the 1950s when his father owned a major company, J&J Mason Contractors, Inc. Mike began his career in 1973 as a mason tender for J&J and later entered the apprenticeship to become a bricklayer. Mike joined SMC in 1989 and has been part owner of the company since 1996.
In Mike’s 30-year masonry career, he has become a Master Stone Mason, earned a 25 Year Bricklayer Certificate, earned a Associated General Contractors Training Certificate, received Michigan Department of Labor Safety Training, and has even pioneered project management systems used in many masonry companies today.
Michael Ellsworth, Vice President/Chief Project Manager
Mike began his 12-year masonry career in 1996 as a mason tender for SMC. Soon after entering the apprenticeship program to become a bricklayer, Mike was recognized by SMC founder Daniel Schiffer as having a unique and natural talent for historic masonry preservation. Mike worked under the direction and was mentored by Daniel on historic projects such as Fort Washington.
“When it comes to historic masonry preservation it is important to combine the training and discipline of a skilled tradesman with an artisan eye. This is a rare talent,” says Daniel Schiffer. “I was delighted to find these attributes in Mike.”
Mike holds several certifications including International Masonry Institute (IMI) Grout Certification, IMI Supervisor Certification, Associated General Contractors Supervisory Training Program (STP), Tuckpointer Certification, and is also an Air Barrier Association of America Certified Installer, and a JAHN Certified Installer.
Stephen Meyer, Vice President/ Estimating
Steve has 12 years of construction experience and lifetime of family historical preservation involvement. Steve began his career in 1996 as a mason tender at SMC. Steve was promoted several times within the company before joining the estimating department of an ENR Top 400 Construction Manager in 2006.
In 2007 Steve was recognized by Mid-Michigan business organizations as a finalist for the First 10 Over the Next Ten, which acknowledges individuals for their professional achievement and community involvement. Steve was recognized because he pioneered using cutting edge digital and 3D computer technology for estimating and presentation of masonry projects. In 2007 Steve was also vigorously recruited to return to SMC and manage its estimating department, where he expanded the company’s territory to include Indiana.
Steve holds American Society of Professional Estimators certification, and is working toward a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on Building Code Administration from Central Michigan University.
Kay Udry, Treasurer/Accounting Manager
Kay has held various positions in her 20-year career in the masonry, automotive, aerospace and biomedical industries. Immediately before joining SMC, Kay spent three years as a small business owner developing a start-up franchise company to a self-sufficient enterprise, giving her invaluable business ownership and management experience. Kay joined SMC in 2006, where she has been mentored by former owner and CFO, Margaret Schiffer.
Kay holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and International Business from Northwood University, and an associate’s degree in Business Management from Lansing Community College.