Christian Rodriguez: A mason with a plan

Words: Jason AderholtMaybe Christian Rodriguez didn’t have a plan when he graduated from high school in Oklahoma, but he does now.

After a year of junior college, Rodriguez decided that he was “not ready” for more school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served three years in the infantry. Following his own military service, he temporarily moved to Washington, D.C., to provide care for his brother-in-law, who had been severely injured in combat in Afghanistan.

Back home in Broken Bow, Okla., he thought about the G.I. Bill. “My Mom was one of my motivations in going back to school,” Rodriguez says. “She kept telling me that it’s never too late to make something of yourself.

“I thought I should take advantage of the G.I. Bill, and my mother did, too,” he continues. “I had done some construction. My brother builds homes. So, I enrolled in the masonry program at Kiamichi Technology Center in Idabel , Okla. I was surprised. I was better than I thought I’d be.”

His masonry instructor, Jeff Dunn, says he was a very good student. “He started as a full-time student, and, after his first year, Christian finished second in the state masonry competition. He finished the program this year (2012), took first place in the state contest and competed in the national competition in Kansas City.”

Rodriguez called Dunn’s class a “great experience” and his trip to Kansas City for the SkillsUSA National Masonry Championships a “once in a lifetime experience.”

“He was an excellent student,” Dunn concludes. “I wish I had a room-full of students like him.”

The student-teacher relationship continues. “I’ve gone out on my own,” Rodriguez says. “I’m trying to build a business. Mr. Dunn refers work to me that the school and his students can’t do.”

Dunn says Rodriguez has taken the initiative to print business cards, has decals on his truck and has even run advertising in the local newspaper. In the meantime, he is taking full advantage of the G.I. Bill by taking additional courses at Eastern Oklahoma University, where he plans to pursue a degree in construction management.

Rodriguez also is taking advantage of a savings program offered by his Choctaw Tribe. “The Choctaw Asset Building (CAB) Program is a two-to-one matched savings program for start-up businesses,” Rodriguez explains. “So, by the time I get my degree, I should have saved enough to buy the equipment I’ll need.”

Christian Rodriguez has a plan.
About: Featured
 0
The Evolution and Innovation of Concrete Unit Pavers
May 2025

When concrete unit pavers were first produced in Europe after the second World War, they were used as a replacement for clay brick pavers due to a lack of raw materials needed to produce that product. The primary emphasis was function with little to no co

Brandi Sauers
Featured MAP Partner
Read More
Masonry Mortar: The Right Type for the Job
May 2025

When it comes to masonry construction, mortar is much more than “glue” that holds everything together — it’s a critical component of wall performance, longevity, and aesthetics. It can “make it or break it”. Whether you’re laying a foundation CMU wall or

Garen Graves
Featured MAP Partner
Mortar
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 20 Recap: Mark Kemp, Superior Masonry
May 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Mark Kemp joins the set to talk about his esteemed career in masonry, how his passion stayed strong throughout the years, and how retirement has been treating him.

Justin Stengel
Read More
How It’s Made: Clay Thin Brick
May 2025

Clay thin brick is a versatile alternative to traditional full brick. It comes in numerous colors and styles and offers something for every design preference. Thanks to the lighter weight, it is designed to reach spaces full brick cannot. From floors to c

Allison Goley
Featured MAP Partner
Read More