Red River Brick - A General Shale Brand

11/03/2026

There’s something about the right brick that completely transforms a home — and Ozark Smoke does exactly that. 🧱✨

Ozark Smoke offers a subtle blend of smoky grays and soft whites, which brings a modern edge to classic brick. Plus, it pairs beautifully with the dark trim and clean architectural lines of this design. 🏠

Find out more about Ozark Smoke ➡️ https://redriverbrick.com/products/ozark-smoke/

09/03/2026

A great achievement for us and the industry! Congrats, Candice!

To celebrate , we are delighted to announce an historic moment in our companies time with the appointment of Candice Garcia as the company’s first female plant manager at our Mineral Wells, TX plants!

👷‍♀️👏

While we will have much more to share about Candice in upcoming features, this is a wonderful opportunity to revisit her from just a few years ago. She was well on her way even then!

“I’ve worked since I was 16 in pretty much any job you can imagine. When I got into manufacturing world, it was first in accounting and then purchasing. Afterward I became involved in machinery and parts, which opened up doors in ways I could not have imagined. When I formally went into production through scheduling, I came face-to-face with the dealings of running a plant and things like raw materials, sourcing, projections, recovery, and the equipment side. I love what I do and I like getting dirty. I like creating. That’s what draws me to stick with it. It’s always applying what you did yesterday to get you to tomorrow and do it better. When you look at brick-making, it is a super physical job that is demanding and not for the faint of heart. Yes we have technologies and advancements, but it’s still very demanding and physical. Whoever is in the brick manufacturing world — man or woman — you must have drive and be tenacious.“

~ Candice Garcia

12/02/2026

Our very own Jim Wise, who retired at the end of 2025, has been inducted into the Texas Masonry Hall of Fame 2026! 🏅🧱

Jim retired after an outstanding 45-year career in the brick industry! Jim began his career after graduating from college in Virginia, spending 18 years with United Materials in roles spanning inside and outside sales, management, and ownership. He later relocated to Texas to lead the West region for Boral Industries and Boral Bricks. Following General Shale’s acquisition of Meridian Brick four years ago, Jim continued with the organization, serving as Vice President of Sales and providing steady leadership during a period of transition and growth.

Jim has been a respected leader and mentor throughout his career, leaving a lasting impact on both the industry and those he worked with. We thank him for his many years of service and wish him continued happiness and adventure in retirement.

Congratulations to the 2026 Hall of Fame inductees! 🎉

23/12/2025

Merry Christmas from Red River Brick! 🎄
We celebrate this season with joy and holiday cheer! From all of us at Red River Brick, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

26/11/2025

Every brick we make is part of something bigger—your home, your business, your dream. We’re thankful for the opportunity to help you build your future. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Red River Brick!

14/08/2025

Jack has been a great leader in helping drive innovation and excellence over our plant operations. Congrats on 40 years, Jack!

01/08/2025

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Chris Guffey | Plant Manager | Elgin, TX

In the second half of the year, we are looking back at those who received promotions so far in 2025.

We are pleased to congratulate Chris Guffey on his promotion to Plant Manager at our Elgin, TX location! His experience in brick manufacturing and leadership will guide our team in Elgin to much future success.

Chris’s journey with our company began in 2022 as a Supervisor at our Moncure, NC location. There, he learned the foundation of brickmaking from the guidance and mentorship of the Moncure team. He was promoted to Assistant Plant Manager at our Roanoke, VA location. During his time there, he took on new responsibilities, including training new Supervisors, developing extensive Safety Programs, and building lasting relationships with team members. After High School, Chris served four years in the United States Marine Corps. He was deployed twice, fighting in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Chris has two Associate’s degrees from Northeast State Community College in Manufacturing Engineering and Machine Tool Technology. He also has a Bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee University in Kinesiology.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys fishing for trout and hunting for deer. He is an avid Tennessee Vol’s fan and never missed a game on Saturday’s. GO VOLS!

Please join us in congratulating Chris Guffey on his well-deserved promotion and wishing him continued success in his new role!

14/04/2025

18/03/2025

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Jim Green | Assistant Plant Manager | Athens, TX

We are excited to announce the promotion of Jim Green to Assistant Plant Manager at our Athens, TX location!

Jim’s journey with our company began in 2002, when he was hired as a Shipping Supervisor at the Athens plant. Over the past 22 years, he has dedicated his career to this location, gaining invaluable experience by supervising every department at some point along the way. His deep knowledge of operations, leadership skills, and commitment to excellence make him a perfect fit for this role.

Beyond his professional achievements, Jim is a devoted family man. He and his wife, Andi, have been married for 28 years and have two sons, Payden and Colby. Payden is married to Lacy, and together they have a two-year-old daughter, Emory, whom Jim loves to spoil. Colby is engaged to Kendal, and Jim is excited to welcome another daughter-in-law into the family.
Outside of work, Jim enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, and giving back to his community through his church. His strong work ethic and passion for both his job and his community make him a great fit for this leadership position.

Please join us in congratulating Jim on this well-deserved promotion!

18/03/2025

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Dave Slater | Plant Manager | Athens, TX

Dave has been a dedicated member of the General Shale team for 19 years, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to every role he has held. He began his journey with the company in 2006 as the Plant Manager of our stone processing facility in Wister, Oklahoma, where he successfully led operations for 16 years. In 2022, Dave transitioned to our Red River Brick plant in Athens, TX, taking on the role of Assistant Plant Manager for the past two and a half years. His strong work ethic, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to excellence make him an outstanding choice for this new leadership role.

A graduate of Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee, Dave is also deeply committed to his family. He and his wife have been married for 33 years and have four children. Their two daughters, Becca (18) and Bree (15), moved to Texas with them. Their oldest son remains in Oklahoma with his wife and their three granddaughters, while their youngest son serves in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Nimitz in Bremerton, WA, where he lives with his wife.
Outside of work, Dave enjoys visiting his children and grandchildren, water skiing, snow skiing, and attending football games.

Please join us in congratulating Dave Slater on his well-earned promotion! We look forward to his continued leadership and contributions to the Athens plant.

This move comes after former plant manager Wayne Turnage transitioned to a new position as Brick Specialist after over 41 years of outstanding service. In this role, Wayne will leverage his extensive experience to assist in the operational aspects of several brick plants in the West. Wayne has been a vital part of our team, and his new role will allow him to contribute even more broadly to our company's success. His focus will be on driving operational excellence and mentoring the next generation of talent in brick making. Please join us in congratulating Wayne on this exciting new chapter!

18/03/2025

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Jimmie Henry | Plant Manager | Union City, OK

We are excited to announce the promotion of Jimmie Henry to Plant Manager at our Union City, OK location!

Jimmie joined the company in 2019, as the Night Shift Plant Supervisor, a role in which he gained hands-on experience managing all plant departments. His dedication and leadership led him to several key positions, including Packaging Supervisor, Mill Room and Grinding Supervisor, and Kiln Supervisor. In 2023, he was promoted to Assistant Plant Manager, where he played a critical role in plant operations and process improvements. His extensive experience and strong leadership skills make him a great fit for this new role.

Before his career in manufacturing, Jimmie proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1983 to 1987, achieving the rank of Corporal (E-4). He was stationed at Marine Barracks in Adak, Alaska, before transferring to Camp Lejeune, NC. He continued his service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard from 1988 to 1991, where he attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5).
Jimmie and his wife have been married for 27 years and have two sons and a daughter, all residing in Oklahoma. They love spending time outdoors, traveling in their RV, and most of all, cherishing moments with their seven grandchildren.

Please join us in congratulating Jimmie on his well-deserved promotion! We look forward to his continued leadership and contributions to the Union City plant.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Jimmie Henry | Plant Manager | Union City, OK

We are excited to announce the promotion of Jimmie Henry to Plant Manager at our Union City, OK location!

Jimmie joined the company in 2019, as the Night Shift Plant Supervisor, a role in which he gained hands-on experience managing all plant departments. His dedication and leadership led him to several key positions, including Packaging Supervisor, Mill Room and Grinding Supervisor, and Kiln Supervisor. In 2023, he was promoted to Assistant Plant Manager, where he played a critical role in plant operations and process improvements. His extensive experience and strong leadership skills make him a great fit for this new role.

Before his career in manufacturing, Jimmie proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1983 to 1987, achieving the rank of Corporal (E-4). He was stationed at Marine Barracks in Adak, Alaska, before transferring to Camp Lejeune, NC. He continued his service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard from 1988 to 1991, where he attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5).
Jimmie and his wife have been married for 27 years and have two sons and a daughter, all residing in Oklahoma. They love spending time outdoors, traveling in their RV, and most of all, cherishing moments with their seven grandchildren.

Please join us in congratulating Jimmie on his well-deserved promotion! We look forward to his continued leadership and contributions to the Union City plant.

20/02/2025

AND, you might just catch a glimpse of a few of our newest colors! Register at General Shale's link to get show pass for next week's event!