In the first week of February 2026, AMPP is hosting its inaugural Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum in Virginia Beach, Virginia. To preview the event and share insights into industry trends, AMPP is catching up with key sponsors and industry leaders. In the aftermath of last week’s five-person panel, this week’s edition features Matt Dowden of Av-DEC, Courtney Culpepper of Courtney Culpepper Consulting; and AMPP’s Jennifer Merck.

The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is now five years old! To celebrate and reflect on that journey, D. Terry Greenfield — principal consultant at CONSULEX and previously an AMPP chairman and NACE International president — kicks off our “Then and Now” anniversary series.

Discussion topics include AMPP’s origins as a combination of its legacy organizations (NACE and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings); highlights from the first five years; and opportunities for further growth and expansion in the months and years ahead.

On February 3-4, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, AMPP is hosting its inaugural Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum.

To reflect and share insight on the latest industry trends, this panel discussion features AMPP’s Jennifer Merck and Ben DuBose alongside several prominent event sponsors. Speakers include Jim Hartley of PPG; Robert Dahlstrom of Apellix; Joe McGreal of Ervin Industries; and Russell Roden of Atlantic Design Inc. (ADI).

In a roundtable format, this episode also previews the event while showcasing its potential benefits for members and key stakeholders throughout the maritime coatings industry.

This December 2025 roundtable conversation with leaders from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) explores the vital role of certifications in industrial painting, as well as areas in which a trained and certified workforce can boost the coatings industry.

Topics on this sponsored episode include modern project requirements, certifications, and the industry’s future; QP contractor requirements; how contractor accreditation can help ensure quality and protect investments; and the IUPAT’s important role in raising the bar for industry standards.

With an innovation known as “Heat-Flex CUI mitigation coatings,” Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine earned industry recognition as a winner in the 2025 Materials Performance (MP) Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards program. MP is a member magazine of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

Neil Wilds, global product director for corrosion under insulation (CUI) and testing at Sherwin-Williams, joins this episode alongside Kristin Leonard, energy marketing director for North America. In a conversation with AMPP Media’s Ben DuBose, Wilds and Leonard explain how the Heat-Flex CUI line came to be; marketplace trends and feedback from the field; and what the future could hold in 2026 and beyond.

On February 3-4, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Va., the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) will host its inaugural Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum.

To share event plans along with insight on industry trends, this roundtable podcast features Jennifer Merck of AMPP; Anthony Manglona of Precise Systems; and Cassandra Frisby of Newport News Shipbuilding.

Gregory Muha, Director of Conferences, Exhibits, and Sponsorships, joins our podcast with answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. 

Held from March 15-19 in Houston, discussion topics include what members can expect at the show; highlights of the 2026 schedule; feedback-based changes from previous years; and how the latest version of the conference is being designed to meet the needs of AMPP members and the broader industry.

Malcolm McNeil, owner and president of McNeil Coatings Consultants, Inc., passed away on August 31, 2025. He was 92 years old. In addition to his numerous jobs and roles over six-plus decades in the industry, McNeil spent many years as a lead instructor of NACE International’s flagship Coating Inspector Program (CIP) and as Technical Editor for CoatingsPro Magazine.

In this episode, longtime CIP Instructor Phil Fouche (who delivered McNeil’s eulogy this fall) joins AMPP staffers Ben DuBose and Stephanie Chizik to reflect on McNeil’s memorable life, including decades of distinguished service to both the association and the industry.

Dennis Karnstein and Brian Carson are top executives at Pittsburgh Paints Co., a leading North American producer of interior and exterior paints, stains, caulks, repair products, adhesives, and sealants.

In this conversation with CoatingsPro Magazine, a member magazine of AMPP, Karnstein and Carson address several marketplace trends as 2025 draws to a close. Other discussion topics include strategies to make coatings more user-friendly for applicators; benefits of the group’s unique service model; new opportunities as a privately owned company; and more.

As part of exclusive “Exhibitor Spotlight” interviews from our flagship AMPP 2025 conference in Nashville, we spoke with leading industry experts regarding new products and services to address today’s challenges. With emphasis on our Materials Performance (MP) audience, this mini-episode features insights from leaders at TESI Group, Lindsay Corp., and Automa.

As part of this sponsored episode, experts from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) explore how new and emerging technologies are transforming the industrial coating marketplace.

Featuring insights from Don McClain, Andrew Croll, and Ken Seal, topics include the impact of new technologies and tools; optimal strategies for training, workforce development, and quality control; future trends to watch for; and the role of organizations such as IUPAT and AMPP in supporting the industry and advocating for its workforce.

In exclusive “Exhibitor Spotlight” interviews from our flagship AMPP 2025 conference in Nashville, we spoke with several industry experts regarding new products and services to address modern needs and challenges. With emphasis on our Materials Performance (MP) audience, this mini-episode features insights from leaders at MOBILTEX and ROCKWOOL.

Ray Fremont Jr., president of General Air Products, joins our ongoing series profiling winners of the 2025 Materials Performance (MP) Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards.

General Air’s winning innovation, Vapor Pipe Shield, is a patented and UL-listed solution for the prevention of corrosion in dry pipe and pre-action fire sprinkler systems. The technology features a delivery system utilizing a vapor-phase corrosion inhibitor, and Fremont explains how it is already making a difference out in the field.

Developed by Integrity Products & Supplies Inc., the PTFE Spacer Wrap offers an impermeable and stand-off barrier between thermal insulation and piping to simultaneously protect against corrosion under insulation, insulation-driven stress cracking, and thermal losses.

Backed by peer-reviewed scientific research, this winning innovation (materials design category) from the 2025 MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards is helping resolve previously unaddressed protection and performance issues faced by thermally insulated assets.

In this interview episode, Technical Director Ahmad RK Rana and CEO Graham Brigham explain how the system works and its unique value proposition to the industry.

Mike Yongjun Tan, professor of applied electrochemistry and corrosion technologies at Australia’s Deakin University, shares insights pertaining to his group’s award-winning technology.

As a patent-pending, closed-loop smart cathodic protection (CP) technology, the system employs a localized corrosion probe to perform in-situ monitoring of localized corrosion. It then uses corrosion monitoring data to smartly adjust and closed-loop control the CP potential/current.

Davies Hood, President and Owner of Induron Protective Coatings, shares his insight on marketplace trends; innovations within the industry; and feedback from clients and end users. Those innovations include Induron’s new Perma-Clean 100 SL, which was designed to offer the benefits of thick-film barrier protection without requiring complex plural-component spray equipment.

In an ongoing series profiling MP’s 2025 Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards winners, Tony da Costa of MOBILTEX (Vice President of Engineering) shares insight on his group’s winning innovation, the CorTalk RDL1 Remote Datalogger. Topics include traditional challenges with cathodic protection (CP) remote monitoring and how this technology aims to overcome those; feedback from users in the field; and expectations for the future.

In a new series spotlighting the winners of MP’s 2025 Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards, ROCKWOOL’s Osama Hamza (Innovation Director) joins the show to discuss his group’s winning technology, CR-Tech. Topics include the science behind CR-Tech; what this award means for ROCKWOOL; and how the technology is already making a difference in the field.

Automa is an Italian company that designs, engineers, and manufactures remote monitoring technologies for the oil, gas, and water sectors, and for building automation in the civil sector. These technologies are playing a key role in the digital transformation of networks across the globe.

Barbara Diaz, marketing manager, shares Automa’s perspective on the critical role of remote monitoring for cathodic protection, as well as insights on the group’s integrated hardware/software approach and how the company incorporates feedback from customers in the development of these technologies.

As part of exclusive interviews from our flagship AMPP 2025 conference in Nashville, we spoke with a wide range of industry experts regarding new products and services that can help address modern needs and challenges. With emphasis on our Materials Performance audience, this mini-episode features experts from GC Laser Systems and InduMar, which specializes in composite pipe repair.

Brian Carson, CEO of Pittsburgh Paints Co. since February 2025, shares insights regarding his new role and the future of the industry. Topics include opportunities for the company under private ownership; how Carson’s flooring experience helps him understand the paints and coatings market; common challenges and pain points for contractor customers; and more.

AMPP Advocacy Day 2025 is on the horizon, and this year’s event is focused on protecting America’s maritime future through corrosion mitigation and coatings solutions. As the United States modernizes its maritime industrial base and expands naval and commercial shipbuilding capacity, AMPP is leading conversations with policymakers to ensure materials protection remains a national priority.

In this roundtable discussion, member leaders Kristin Leonard (Sherwin-Williams) and D. Terry Greenfield (CONSULEX) join AMPP’s Kern Williams and Ben DuBose to explore the most important legislative storylines in 2025 and beyond.

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) represents 140,000 workers across the United States and Canada. In this summer 2025 interview with CoatingsPro Magazine, IUPAT’s Andrew Croll and Ken Seal share insights and the latest trends pertaining to safety, training, workforce development, industry influence and advocacy, and more.

Held in Panama City, Panama, this July, this groundbreaking event unites two premier corrosion conferences under one roof. With technical, strategic, and community perspectives, Juan Caballero, Chair of the AMPP Board of Directors, and Greg Muha, Director of Conferences, Exhibits, and Sponsorships, explore what the program will bring to members and industry attendees.

Kirk Lipes, Global Transportation Segment Director at paints and coatings manufacturer Sherwin-Williams, shares his insight on unique needs and opportunities within the market. Topics include challenges and historical limitations; newer technologies and processes to improve performance; feedback from customers and applicators; collaboration opportunities; and more.

Terry Greenfield, principal consultant at CONSULEX and a past AMPP chairman and past NACE International president, shares insight on AMPP’s growing and renewed emphasis on the maritime industry and the critical role of materials protection, particularly in relation to the White House’s new shipbuilding initiative.

As AMPP’s accredited representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Terry explores how AMPP and the industry can proactively address risks before they become costly failures.

Dr. Narasi Sridhar, CEO of MC Consult LLC, is the 2025 recipient of AMPP’s prestigious Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award. In this roundtable interview, Dr. Sridhar is joined by Lucrezia Scoppio, Chair of the Awards Program Committee, and Dr. John Scully, Chair of the Whitney Award Task Force. The discussion surrounds the groundbreaking work he’s done throughout his distinguished career, ranging from pitting corrosion to computational modeling for corrosion prediction.

Scoppio and Dr. Scully also discuss the AMPP Awards Program, its objectives, and the importance of recognizing outstanding contributions in the field of corrosion. Insight into what the task force is looking for in candidates is shared, along with ways in which award winners will be honored at the 2025 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in April.

Dr. Mersedeh Akhoondan is joining the Materials Performance (MP) Magazine team as Technical Editor. In that role, she is replacing Jack Tinnea, who is retiring in April 2025 after a distinguished career.

In this position, Akhoondan is responsible for selecting and reviewing MP’s technical articles. She will collaborate with authors, members, and the magazine’s editorial advisory board to provide readers with timely and accurate technical content. Dr. Akhoondan, an active AMPP member and a corrosion specialist for HDR Engineering, brings over 15 years of experience in corrosion control and condition assessment of water and wastewater facilities, bridge infrastructures, solar power plants, and transit systems. 

This 1-on-1 conversation with Ben DuBose, AMPP News Editor, explores her impressive career and outlook for the new position with MP (a member magazine of AMPP).

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) represents 140,000 workers in the finishing trades across the United States and Canada. 

In this March 2025 episode, IUPAT’s Andrew Croll and Ken Seal share insights on the organization’s mission to support and train professionals in the coatings industry; its strategies pertaining to recruiting and retaining workers; emerging technologies and jobsite trends in the industry; and much more.

Gary Gray, a longtime coatings contractor and an executive with Tenor ESOP Partners and ESOP Consulting Group, LLC, says he is seeing considerable momentum toward broad-based employee ownership as a growth tool.

With the strategy also representing a tax advantaged exit alternative, Gray explains why he believes the momentum is especially strong in the construction sector.

Russell Raad, president of “one-stop shop” Abrasives Inc., recently joined a sponsored episode of the CoatingsPro Interview Series with insight on his company’s unique specialties and market position.

Discussion topics include marketplace trends, changes, and regulatory impacts; unique challenges to the surface preparation of industrial coatings jobs; strategies to incorporate feedback from contractors and end users; an outlook for the future; and available resources from Abrasives Inc. to assist in these processes.

Kaveh Meghdadpour, Director of National Accounts and Business Development and the East Region Manager at Crown Polymers, joins this sponsored episode of the CoatingsPro Interview Series.

Discussion topics include industry trends and pain points within floor coatings; successful case studies using Crown solutions; the importance of manufacturers and contractors working together; and strategies to address potential industry concerns in the years ahead, such as workforce development.

Kyle McDonald, Project Manager at Western Specialty Contractors in Delray Beach, Florida, recently joined the CoatingsPro Interview Series with insights pertaining to his job scope and beyond.

Discussion topics include standout projects from his time at Western; unique coating factors to consider with concrete substrates and his regional market; industry trends related to technologies, materials, equipment, and workforce development; and much more.

Greg Mulholland, founder and CEO of Citrine Informatics, shares his perspective on how artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly affecting the coatings industry and others linked to materials protection and performance. Discussion topics include development processes influenced by AI; feedback from industrial users; strategies for using AI to adapt to industry trends and new regulations; what the future evolution of AI may look like; and available resources to learn more.

Jennifer Rogers, Senior Director of Education, shares the latest intel regarding AMPP’s newest educational program, Cathodic Protection (CP) Field Techniques. The two-day, immersive course introduces personnel to essential corrosion testing methods and real-world field techniques.

In this interview, Rogers explains the background and development process of the course; how it incorporates member collaboration and feedback; and ways in which it overcomes historical limitations while meeting modern needs.

HZO Inc. is a provider of conformal coatings solutions for electronics and other products made for a variety of markets ranging from consumer electronics, medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, and more.

In this sponsored episode, Sean Clancy, Ph.D.—Senior Director of Materials Science at HZO—shares industry insights gained from many years of performing root-cause failure analysis in these products and markets.

Kern Williams, Government Affairs Manager at AMPP, joins this week’s podcast with insight on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) newly issued final rule pertaining to Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).

Topics include background information on the lead pipes replacement plan and how it is tied to corrosion control and materials protection; educational resources available to help members and member companies get involved in the process; a potential timeline for implementation; and other topics on AMPP’s agenda in the weeks following the Nov. 5 election.

For more information, visit AMPP’s Government Affairs web page.

U.S. Navy Veteran Matt Flory is a global business director at Sherwin-Williams, where he leads the industrial group’s military coatings segment.

With a team comprised largely of Veterans, Flory shares perspective on what they bring to the coatings industry and the role they can play in overcoming workforce development challenges.

For the military market, Flory also outlines recent technological innovations such as chemical agent resistant coatings (CARC); anti-microbial solutions; enhanced corrosion primers; and more.

Mike Aughenbaugh, associate target market manager at Swagelok Company, is focused on the development of fluid handling solutions for the oil, gas, chemical, and refining markets. In this sponsored episode, Aughenbaugh explains many of the differences between pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion, as well strategies to remediate corrosion, prevent corrosion, and educate system operators about what to watch for.

Winston Revie, an associate editor for CORROSION journal, leads a summer 2024 roundtable to discuss a newly released two-part paper series based on research from three labs around the world.

The seven authors are Negar Moradighadi; Huiru Wang; Luntao Wang; Antoine Seyeux; Alain Pailleret; Philippe Marcus; Srdjan Nesic. Both papers are available at www.corrosionjournal.org.

Editor’s note: This roundtable can also be viewed on YouTube with streaming video of all panelists.

Jamey Hilleary, remote monitoring product manager at Lindsay, shares his perspective on communication and data access tools for industrial users. Discussion topics in this sponsored episode include the process of taking data from field units to end users; strategies to ensure data security; the future of communication monitoring technologies; and much more.

Rebecca Bickham, Editor-in-Chief of Materials Performance (MP) Magazine, joins News Editor Ben DuBose to discuss MP’s upcoming 2025 Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards program. Topics include the importance of the looming September 15 nomination deadline; strategies to succeed with the judging panel; perks for award winners; and much more.

Will Maize, Director of Product Management at MOBILTEX, shares insight on the past, present, and future of data analytics for the cathodic protection (CP) market.

Topics in this sponsored episode include the company’s latest research into new approaches to understand groundbed deterioration in impressed current systems and to predict end-of-life scenarios. The show also explores the impact of emerging regulations and environmental trends in North America and beyond.

Winn Darden, North American business manager for LUMIFLON fluoropolymer resins, shares his perspective on key decision-making processes pertaining to paints and coatings. This sponsored show explores how experts can develop strategic planning approaches that best adapt to current structural and future market demands.

Discussion topics include the details of LUMIFLON and how it works in tandem with coatings; industry trends and feedback from the market segments it plays in; the role of new and emerging technologies; and educational resources available to assist in these challenges.

Engineers Aleese Post and Casey Whalen (CSNRI) explain why composites give pipeline facility operators an often overlooked tool for fighting corrosion. Composites can provide a permanent and strong repair, as well as minimize future needed maintenance.

Jeff Jirak, managing director of AkzoNobel’s global powder coatings business, explains how new coating technologies are helping to mitigate corrosion in the built environment.

The show also explores the manufacturer’s recent development partnership with CoatingAI, which aims to assist contractors and installers with application processes while reducing their carbon footprint.

Related links: U.S. EPA’s Green Power Partners, Interpon, AkzoNobel on LinkedIn

While at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in New Orleans, our AMPP Publications team interviewed a series of experts regarding new products, services, and technologies in the industry.

Subjects in this Materials Performance (MP) Magazine series of sponsored Exhibitor Spotlight interviews include Eddyfi Technologies, mPACT2WO, GPT Industries, American Innovations, Johns Manville, ROCKWOOL, and Abriox.

The Master Painters Institute (MPI) recently introduced its newest solutions to streamline the process of specifying coatings. As part of this effort, MPI Decision Tree Tools offers a digital interactive guide prompting users to select the most suitable system and products for their commercial and architectural projects, whether for new construction or restorative/repair works.

Pam Nicoletti, president of MPI, explains how these tools encompass all project variables while significantly reducing manual efforts.

Sam Scaturro, President of New Jersey-based Alpine Painting & Sandblasting Contractors, shares his insight on industry trends and career highlights after nearly two decades of success. 

Discussion topics include the process of buying his family business and its transformation over the years; emerging trends in the marketplace; optimal strategies for workforce development; and highlights from his time as an association member leader, including a stint as Chair of the AMPP Board of Directors in 2022.

In a recently published white paper, experts at Induron examined the expected service life of coatings for potable water linings while combining that knowledge with an interpretation of the total applied costs of these systems.

On this podcast, Induron’s William “Bill” Seawell, technical service manager, and Andy Odorzynski, national sales manager, elaborate on expectations for water tank primers (both zinc and epoxy); how corrosion processes work; and the most important properties a water tank primer should have.

Founded in 1947 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, Induron produces high-performance coatings to serve a wide range of industrial applications. These applications include industries such as wastewater, electrical transmission and distribution, and potable water storage and treatment.

This sponsored episode features Ian Kinnear, product manager at GPT Industries, and Gabriel “Gabe” Gonzales, senior research and development engineer.

As part of a roundtable discussion, Kinnear and Gonzales explore the company’s continued development of remote pipeline monitoring technologies and how GPT’s IsoSmart solution can monitor critical parameters. The guests also share their perspectives regarding the future of integrity monitoring.

Amir Eliezer, Immediate Past Chair of the AMPP Board of Directors, explains his leadership journey within the association and his current role leading the transition team to merge the AMPP Board and the AMPP Global Center Board. Discussion topics include the merger's implications for members and the industry; updates on the ongoing process and opportunities to get involved; key takeaways from the recently completed 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo; and much more.

With a “stronger together” vision, AMPP is always welcoming new users and members, and we are grateful for our talented volunteers and staff.

Dr. Ingrid Milosev, with the Jožef Stefan Institute, and Dr. John Scully, with University of Virginia, join our CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss sustainability. It’s the topic of their recent open-access perspective, “Challenges for the Corrosion Science, Engineering, and Technology Community as a Consequence of Growing Demand and Consumption of Materials: A Sustainability Issue.”

This episode explains how corrosion factors into the global sustainability discussion. Topics include the carbon footprint of corrosion, such as the impact of replacing corroded parts as well as the impact of corrosion mitigation and prevention methods; the implications of increased use of metals in green energy applications and in electronics; and areas where the corrosion community can make an impact.

For more information about sustainability and their article, contact Ingrid Milošev and John Scully.

In a panel discussion, member leaders Dawn Eden and Sandy Williamson join Ben DuBose, News Editor with AMPP Publications, to explore the association’s latest efforts and intel related to materials sustainability.

Topics include what’s new within AMPP’s Sustainability Task Force; key takeaways and insights from the recently completed 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo; and what they see on the horizon as AMPP ramps up its global outreach around this fast-paced growth topic.

In a roundtable featuring representatives from AMPP’s member leaders and staff, Kimberly-Joy Harris, Elaine Bowman, and Tim Gonzalez share their perspectives on the importance of participating in AMPP’s annual Advocacy Day (set for May 15-16, 2024).

Discussion topics include tips to effectively advocate for the materials protection industry; how advocating at the government level can impact our field; specific pieces of U.S. legislation that AMPP is focused on this year; and recent additions to the advocacy campaign, such as the Corrosion and Coatings Political Action Committee (PAC) and the new International Advocacy Program.

For more information, visit the AMPP Advocacy Day web page.

In a roundtable discussion regarding biomedical corrosion, Dr. Jeremy Gilbert and Dr. Silvia Ceré join CORROSION journal for the third episode of a special series studying corrosion and health. This episode explores different metals used in the body and the ways they are used. The impact of corrosion on implants; challenges studying implants in the body; recent advancements in the field; and areas for future exploration are also discussed.

For more information about this topic, contact Silvia Ceré and Jeremy Gilbert.

Ryan Bingham, business development leader at third-party inspection services provider OMC International, LLC, shares his insight regarding the value that qualified coating inspectors can have within the industry.

Discussion topics include trends and common pain points from clients; how technologies and demands continue to evolve; the unique career arc of Bingham and the company; and areas where AMPP can help companies such as OMC achieve their goals while serving the association’s broader mission.

Chris O’Brien, founder and president of Polymer Nation, and Michael Douglass, technical director, join this sponsored episode with insight on the evolution of coatings technologies. Topics include areas of growth and concern in the industry; common challenges that need to be overcome; which technologies could make the biggest jump in the years ahead; and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their business and the industry’s future.

In a discussion regarding the antimicrobial properties of metals, Dr. Harold Michels and Dr. John Scully join CORROSION journal for the second episode of a special series exploring corrosion and health. Focusing on copper and silver, topics include how the antimicrobial properties work, how they have been harnessed over the years, and some of the ways they can be used to prevent the spread of the disease.

For more information about this topic, contact Harold Michels and John Scully.

Gregory Muha, Director of Conferences, Exhibits, and Sponsorships, joins our interview series with answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo.

Held from March 3-7 in New Orleans, discussion topics include what members can expect at the show; highlights of the 2024 schedule; feedback-based changes from previous years; and how the latest version of the conference serves the needs of AMPP members and the broader industry.

Dr. Sanna Virtanen, Professor for Surface Science and Corrosion in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Germany’s Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, is the 2024 recipient of AMPP’s prestigious Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award.

In this roundtable conversation also featuring Raul Rebak of GE Global Research and Dr. John Scully of the University of Virginia, Dr. Virtanen shares highlights from her distinguished career and lessons learned for the next generation, along with insight on what the Whitney Award means to her career.

Rebak and Dr. Scully — who currently serve as AMPP’s Program Committee Chair and Task Force Chair, respectively — add perspective on the AMPP Awards process and the ways in which winners will be honored and celebrated at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in March.

Dr. Gerald Frankel and Dr. Yolanda Hedberg join CORROSION journal for the first episode in a special series exploring corrosion and health to discuss metals and coatings with toxic effects on the body.

This episode explores some of the metals, materials, and chemicals that have negative impacts on the body, such as chromates, preservatives in water-based paints, BPA, and more, along with some of the challenges in replacing these materials.

For more information about this topic, contact Gerald Frankel and Yolanda Hedberg.  

As part of a new task force, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is bringing together stakeholders from a variety of roles to better understand the relationship that corrosion engineering systems have within the infrastructure insurance industry.

In this conversation, members involved with that task force—GPI’s Tony Serdenes, Nick Kuntz of Alliant Insurance Services, and David A. Scotti of Scotti Law Group—share their perspectives on challenges and best practices that could benefit those involved in designing, specifying, supplying, and performing those services, specifically as they relate to insurance and risk management. The roundtable discussion also explores various paths that AMPP can take to address those challenges, as well as ways in which our industry can work together to develop best practices for risk management and insurance needs.

On April 30 and May 1 in Houston, AMPP is welcoming members and guests throughout the industry to the first Coatings for Non-Coating Inspectors conference. Jorge T. Reyna, conference chair and a certified inspector (JRSA Inspections) and instructor, explains the many benefits for attendees and how it all came to be.

Topics discussed include key challenges that non-coating inspectors often face; why a better understanding of coatings can enhance the overall effectiveness of non-coating inspectors; areas in which their roles are changing; and strategies to bridge the gap between traditional inspection practices and the specialized knowledge required to understand coatings.

When considering remote monitoring units (RMUs) for pipeline integrity monitoring, one of the biggest decisions is whether to select an RMU system that uses cellular technology to transmit data, or to purchase units that send data via satellites.

Polly Stewart, head of marketing and legal insight at Abriox, joins this sponsored Materials Performance (MP) podcast to discuss how both platforms work; what users need to consider when selecting cellular or satellite-based RMUs; and which, as a technical engineering expert, Abriox prefers.

Dr. Jason Lee, with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and Dr. Susmitha Kotu, with DNV, join our CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).

This episode explains what MIC is and which industries it affects, challenges in predicting and mitigating MIC, new advancements in the field, and areas that need future research.

Future-focused integrity and corrosion mitigation program directors are recognizing many operational challenges that the future may hold. In turn, they are looking to IIoT companies like MOBILTEX to deliver both cutting-edge field hardware, as well as advanced cloud-based software capabilities (with the necessary security), to address these challenges—all while simultaneously improving their system performance.

Will Maize, Director of Product Management and Corporate Strategy at MOBILTEX, recently spoke with Materials Performance (MP) Magazine about the meaning of strategic cathodic protection (CP) automation and why it could be a key solution. Other points of discussion include how IIoT technology has evolved in recent years; strategies to bring the future into the present; and current focal points for the industry.

Dave Evans, director of business development at AMPP, explains what the newly released Industrial Coating Application (ICA) program could mean for members and the industry at large. Topics include how and why the new program was developed; updated features and opportunities to address current marketplace needs; and how it could help shape AMPP’s future education and training offerings.

Job Coenen, AkzoNobel’s sustainability program manager and a strategic global corporate advisory board member of the World Green Building Council, tells CoatingsPro Magazine how sustainable solutions for the built environment can combat the challenges of producing more green buildings.

Discussion topics include the role of circularity in product development; science-based targets and goals; and how new technologies can help the cause.

Drs. Doug Hansen (University of Dayton) and Raghu Srinivasan (University of Alaska) join our CORROSION journal podcast series to celebrate International Open Access Week 2023. The episode includes a roundtable discussion about why research and sharing findings is important within the industry, as well as some information about AMPP’s research program.

In a panel discussion, AMPP members Cal Chapman (Chapman Engineering) and Sandy Williamson (Williamson Integrity Services) join Materials Performance (MP) Editor Kerry Cole to explain what sustainability means to them and why it is critically important to our industry. Topics include how sustainability is already being practiced and its impact on business; trends and new technologies to watch for; and expectations for the future.

The conversation also explores initiatives and opportunities to get involved at an association level, such as AMPP’s Sustainability Task Force; a technical community of interest (TCI) on materials sustainability; and a Sustainability Symposium and Expert Panel session at the AMPP 2024 Annual Conference + Expo next March.

In celebration of Peer Review Week 2023, Drs. Oumaïma Gharbi, with Sorbonne Universite, and Dave Kolman, with Los Alamos National Laboratories, join the CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss the importance of peer review. The episode includes a discussion of what makes for a good review; advice for reviewers; and an outlook on the future of peer review.

Based near St. Louis, Missouri, Eric Nenninger is a founding partner of 62Archer Inspection and Consulting and a member of CoatingsPro Magazine’s 2023 Editorial Advisory Group. In all, Nenninger has served the industrial coatings field for close to 20 years.

Having worked for application companies, paint manufacturers, and inspection firms, Nenninger has a broad knowledge of the industry. He is a NACE Level 3 coating inspector and an AMPP member, and he was chairman of his local NACE International chapter for many years.

As part of this “member profile,” Nenninger shares lessons learned after nearly two decades in the industry. Discussion topics include market trends; ways in which Nenninger’s many certifications have boosted his transition into inspections; advice for the next generation of coatings professionals; and how associations such as AMPP, NACE, and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings have helped his career.

Drs. Henry Holroyd, a consultant, and Tim Burnett, with the University of Manchester, join our CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss environment-induced crack initiation and early stages of crack growth in aluminum alloys. They explain crack initiation, discuss some of the challenges encountered, and identify areas that need further exploration.

Organized by the AMPP Malaysia Chapter, the inaugural Malaysia Painters Competition 2023 was held in Teluk Kalung, Terengganu, Malaysia, on Saturday, August 19. 

With free registration, the event featured networking; opportunities to learn painting skills from peers; and sourcing for products, services, and the latest in cutting-edge technologies. 

The event’s primary objective was to showcase the skills of Malaysian surface preparation and industrial painting craftworkers, and it ultimately brought out a crowd of nearly 100 people to witness some of Malaysia's finest industrial painters.

The competition took place with support from official Paint Sponsor, Hempel, as well as esteemed partners including PETRONAS; the Malaysian Oil, Gas and Energy Services Council (MOGSC), The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM); and the AMPP Malaysia Chapter (AMC).

Aaron Williams, Managing Director of Blast Abrasives Supply as well as an AMPP Certified Coatings Inspector and a member of the AMPP Global Center Board of Directors, played a key role in putting the event together. In this podcast, Williams shares key highlights and lessons learned from the event; insight on how it aims to address broader industry trends and marketplace needs; and plans for the future. 

DeFelsko Corp., a leading U.S. manufacturer of coating thickness gauges and inspection instruments, is a multi-generational, family-owned company that has supplied simple, durable, and accurate instruments to the global coatings industry since 1965.

Since 2019, Michael Beamish has served as vice president and general manager of the equipment provider. He has degrees in mechanical engineering and law with experience in the design, production, and marketing of these instruments in a variety of international industries, including industrial painting, quality inspection, and manufacturing.

In July 2023, Beamish began serving on the Board of Directors for the AMPP Global Center. He is also a member of the Editorial Advisory Group (EAG) at CoatingsPro Magazine, a member magazine of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

As part of this “member profile” interview with CoatingsPro, Beamish shares some important lessons learned after spending nearly a decade in leadership positions within the industry. Discussion topics include market trends over that time; why innovation and sustainability are among the industry’s biggest challenges; advice for the next generation of coatings professionals; and how associations like AMPP, NACE International, and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings have helped both his individual career and DeFelsko as a company.

Jason Becker, a highly experienced welder/fabricator with 25 years of hands-on experience in the welding industry, joins our podcast to discuss why welding quality matters to AMPP members. Under the American Welding Society (AWS), Becker is a Certified Welding Inspector, Certified Welding Educator, and Certified Welder Performance Qualifier. He currently works as a full-time welding consultant and is dedicated to educating the next generation of welders through his own podcast, called Arc Junkies.

Discussion topics include tips to understand weld quality; common welding processes, materials, and inspection techniques; important codes and standards; how to prevent common welding defects; and why workforce development in skilled trades is critical to the industry's future.

Michael Van Spankeren, digital solutions manager for SLB’s production chemistry business, joins our podcast to discuss his company’s award-winning innovation, “Production Chemicals Optimization on DELFI.” The system was recently honored as a winner of MP’s 2023 Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards.

Topics include the origins and future of the innovation; feedback from users and clients on its performance to date in field situations; future demands and market trends in corrosion control software; and more.

In 2023, PHMSA’s Mega Rule is at the forefront of the list when it comes to topical compliance issues for pipeline operators. In this sponsored episode of the Materials Performance (MP) Interview Series, Polly Stewart of Abriox—which specializes in remote monitoring and control for pipelines—shares useful background information on what the Mega Rule entails; potential consequences for companies and individuals; and how industry companies can future-proof their compliance as part of a corrosion management plan.

Andy Shingledecker, area manager for Campos EPC and chair of the CEPC Exhibits and Sponsorship Task Force, shares insight on the importance of utilizing inspectors with multiple certifications. Known as multi-certified inspectors, they can be successfully utilized on many inspection processes within the corrosion control and protective coatings industry.

Topics on AMPP’s latest podcast include common challenges or obstacles faced by individuals who are not multi-certified inspectors; strategies to maximize the project contributions of multi-certified inspectors; case studies and lessons learned from utilizing multi-certified inspectors to yield significant benefits; and advice to those in the industry who are currently pursuing or considering the pursuit of multiple certifications.

This sponsored episode featuring Ian Kinnear, product manager at GPT Industries, addresses various challenges facing corrosion professionals in 2023 and beyond. In particular, the podcast explores cathodic protection (CP) trends and challenges for the oil and gas, water, and emerging energy industries.

GPT is a manufacturer of isolation kits, gaskets, and isolation joints to mitigate corrosion and enhance CP methods. The company's products serve two major functions: to seal and to stop electrical current. 

Drs. Jen Locke, with The Ohio State University, and Erin Karasz, with Sandia National Laboratories, join the CORROSION journal podcast to discuss their careers in materials science and engineering. They discuss the people that influenced their careers, the benefits of diversity and inclusion to the field, and challenges they have experienced, as well as provide advice to those newer to the field.

For more information, contact Jen Locke at locke.121@osu.edu, or Erin Karasz via LinkedIn.

Ryan Amato, owner of Amato Painting and Lehigh Valley Epoxy Floors in Easton, Pa., spoke with CoatingsPro Magazine after his company’s third-place win in the 2023 CoatingsPro Contractor Awards. Those awards were formally presented at the 2023 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in Denver, Colorado.

Discussion topics on this episode include lessons learned from that job and keys to success, along with insight on industry trends, feedback from the field, and workforce development strategies. Amato also shares his company’s innovative approach to marketing and social media, which dovetails with their emphasis on diligent and detailed communication with clients, vendors, and beyond.

As a winner in the 2023 MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards, the GeneCount Voyager is a deployable, 16-well qPCR thermal cycler instrument that LuminUltra has paired with a portfolio of GeneCount qkits for sample preservation, DNA purification, and and qPCR assaying of microbial targets associated with microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Quantifying MIC-associated microorganisms in a sample can give insight into a system’s corrosion risk and the efficacy of its management programs.

In this interview, Dr. Jordan Schmidt — senior director of technology and innovation at LuminUltra — explains the evolution of their winning innovation and where it stands today. Other topics include his perspective on market trends and demands; feedback by end users and clients; and an outlook for the future.

With decades of writing and editing experience, Kerry Cole was recently hired as Editor of Materials Performance (MP) Magazine. In this interview, Cole chats with Ben DuBose, AMPP’s News Editor, about his new role. Topics include Cole’s career background in journalism and the transition to covering corrosion and coatings; how his previous experience with associations may help; first impressions on the job; hobbies and personal interests; and much more.

As of April 2023, Alan Thomas is now CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), replacing Bob Chalker.

In this chat with Ben DuBose, AMPP’s News Editor, Thomas discusses his past career experience and the process leading to his appointment, along with insight on his initial priorities as CEO; key takeaways from the recent AMPP Annual Conference + Expo; background on his leadership style and personality; and much more.

Charles (Charlie) Brown, deputy director of coatings at Greenman-Pedersen, Inc., joins CoatingsPro Magazine’s “member profile” series with reflections on nearly 40 years in the industry. Topics include the evolution of coatings and market trends over that time; Brown’s advice for the next generation; and how associations such as AMPP, NACE International, and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings have bolstered his career.

Drs. Arjan Mol (co-Editor in Chief of Corrosion Science), Sanna Virtanen (Technical Editor of the corrosion section of the Journal of the Electrochemical Society), Nick Birbilis (co-Editor in Chief of npj Materials Degradation), and John Scully (Technical Editor in Chief of CORROSION journal) join our podcast to discuss the future of corrosion research.

In Part 2 of this Editor Roundtable series (listen to Part 1 here), discussion topics include areas of future research and challenges that the field will need to overcome. The conversation encompasses subjects such as sustainability and the use of artificial intelligence in research and publishing. 

Drs. Arjan Mol, Sanna Virtanen, Nick Birbilis, and John Scully, Editors in Chief and Technical Editors of four corrosion-related journals, join the CORROSION journal podcast to discuss trends in corrosion research and how that compares to the past. In part one of this roundtable series, the panelists explore changes they have seen over the past decade, along with a brief look at where the research is heading.

Drs. Narasi Sridhar, with MC Consult LLC, and Chris Taylor, with DNV, join our podcast to discuss corrosion life predictions, the topic of CORROSION journal’s March 2023 special issue dedicated to the 2022 Research Topical Symposium. This episode provides an overview of the March issue and delves into a broader discussion of the advances and challenges experienced in lifetime predictions. 

For more information about the March 2023 special issue or lifetime predictions, contact Narasi Sridhar via www.mcconsultco.com or by email at nsridhar@mcconsultco.com. Chris Taylor can be contacted via LinkedIn or at  Christopher.Taylor@dnv.com.

Brunno Batista, a worldwide brand ambassador and social media influencer, tells our CoatingsPro Magazine how the roof coatings industry has evolved over his decades in the business.

Topics include challenges and opportunities in the market; where the industry is going in the future; highlights from Batista’s career; why diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are critical; and how contractors and vendors can use social media to their advantage.

Based in Edmonton, Canada, Dr. Harry Tsaprailis is the protective coatings subject matter expert (SME) at energy infrastructure company Enbridge. In this member profile with CoatingsPro Magazine, “Harry T” shares his perspective on important industry priorities entering 2023, along with the role of AMPP in addressing those challenges and enhancing his career growth.

Drs. Ryan Katona, Erin Karasz, and Rebecca Schaller with Sandia National Laboratories join our CORROSION journal podcast to discuss their recent invited critical review, “A Review of the Governing Factors in Pit-to-Crack Transitions of Metallic Structures.” Based on an open access review, this discussion provides key takeaways and insights from the authors.

Now 74 years old, Phil Fouche has traveled the world for decades as a Coating Inspector Program (CIP) Instructor and as a CIP subcommittee member. Today, Fouche holds an AMPP Senior Certified Coatings Inspector credential and continues to educate the next generation of coatings professionals across many countries and continents. In this “member profile,” we explore highlights and lessons learned from his distinguished career.

The 2023 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo will be held next March in Denver, Colorado, and the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is actively gearing up for its annual flagship event for the corrosion control and protective coatings industries. Greg Muha, director of conferences, exhibits, and sponsorships, tells us about what to expect in Denver and why there will be some changes from previous years.

In a collaborative discussion, Joe Mazzella and Tom Hayden of Engineering Director, Inc. (EDI) join Enbridge’s Keith Parker to discuss the group’s engineered, integrated approach to external corrosion management (IECM).

Topics explored on the IECM-themed podcast include the roles of machine learning, data governance, and the importance of building an observable system. More information on their work is available in recent technical articles of Materials Performance (MP) Magazine, and they will be delivering a symposium on the topic on March 22, 2023 at the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Traditional high-performance coatings provide a strong cohesive film. But at times, this can unintentionally contribute to the undercutting effects of corrosion, leading to failures that could lead to a full rehabilitation or replacement.

In response, Induron Protective Coatings has developed a unique line of ceramic epoxies that are formulated to provide strong corrosion protection through high film build, low permeability, and self-healing properties. These coatings can be used on potable water tanks; water and wastewater treatment plants; power transmission towers; and as a lining for ductile iron sewer pipes.

Davies Hood, president of Induron, explains more about the company’s technologies and its keys to success.

Roland Anderson, business development director at monitoring solutions company Axess Corrosion, explains how the group’s patented Janus range works to reduce risk. With integrated alarm systems available to measure process corrosion, erosion, wall thickness, and more, Anderson elaborates on feedback from the field; trends in the marketplace; unique needs for oil and gas clients; and much more.

Dr. Poorwa Gore, Director of AIChemy and an Associate Editor with CORROSION journal, joins our podcast to give advice to students considering a career in corrosion research. This includes short-term research projects, presenting and networking at conferences and events, and keeping your research organized.  

For more information, contact: Poorwa Gore, poorwagore@gmail.com.

Bob Chalker, CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), discusses his decision to retire in July 2023 and what the path forward looks like for the corrosion and coatings organization. 

Topics include motivations for the decision; the process of naming a replacement; highlights from Chalker’s 13-year tenure at AMPP and NACE International; and the legacy he leaves behind.

Coatings industry leader and consultant Alison B. Kaelin (ABKaelin, LLC) joins us to discuss proposed changes to OSHA’s Lead Standards for General Industry and Construction.

Topics include the expected timeline and its implications for U.S. coatings professionals; what companies should be doing now to prepare; the role of engineering controls and new technologies (PPE, equipment, and materials) in the transition; and what industry organizations like AMPP and its members can do to help.

In our latest member roundtable, longtime member Stephanie Decker discusses recent updates to AMPP's Coating Inspection Program (CIP) with Alicia Yust, senior manager of learning and development, and Pam Nicoletti, senior director of global operations.

Phil Scisciani, coating specialist and owner of Specialty Coatings & Consulting, Inc. in Pittsburgh, shares his advice, lessons learned, and feedback from the field after four decades in the industrial coatings market. Topics include industry trends and emerging technologies; memorable projects; workforce development challenges; and how associations like AMPP and its members can help.

Ed Kruft, CEO of American Innovations (AI), shares his insight on trends in the compliance solutions market. Topics discussed include feedback from the field and evolving needs by AI’s customers; advances in remote monitoring technologies for cathodic protection; how private companies and industry associations, like AMPP, can work together to accomplish shared goals; and what the future may look like, both from technological and regulatory perspectives.

Jim Kunkle, Manager of Engineering Specifications for North America at AkzoNobel’s International Protective Coatings, joins our “member profile” series.

Topics include how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of our industry; what changes may be temporary, and which appear to be more permanent; key technology trends to watch for over the next decade; and how industry companies and associations like AMPP can work together to meet the various challenges.

For more information, contact: James (Jim) Kunkle, james.kunkle@AkzoNobel.com, LinkedIn

In collaboration with industry stakeholders, the external corrosion prevention team at Enbridge is developing a unification of corrosion monitoring and mitigation strategies, with a goal of minimizing and effectively managing external corrosion risks. Known as IECM, more information is available in the April, June, and August print issues of Materials Performance (MP) Magazine.

For a deeper look about what this could mean for the corrosion industry, this panel discussion features Keith Parker, external corrosion specialist at Enbridge; Trey Johnston, principal engineer at Corrpro; and Christophe Baete, manager of corrosion engineering at Elsyca.

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (CA-3) recently introduced H.R. 8033, the Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act, to the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation requires corrosion planning and the use of qualified and trained professionals on all bridge construction, repair, and maintenance projects throughout the country.

As part of our exclusive conversation, Garamendi explains the origins of the bill and the motivations for it; what the path forward could look like; and how AMPP members can get involved to help.

Bob Baughman, CEO of HUVRdata, shares how industrial market trends led to the founding of a new company with a purpose-built inspection data management platform. Created in the cloud, the mobile-connected HUVR platform is designed to enable the aggregation, analysis, and automation of visual and quantitative inspection data from any device, sensor, robot, or field technician.

Topics include feedback from the company’s users and partners in the field; inspection tools the system can be integrated with; where it fits within a corrosion management plan; and what the next steps are over the coming months and years.

Sam Navarro, vice president of business development and marketing at industrial solutions provider IPC Industries, joins our “member profile” series. Topics include industry trends; strategies for the future; what associations like AMPP, NACE, and SSPC have meant to Navarro’s career; and how he’s personally working with students in his local community to try and address a growing craftworker shortage in skilled trades.

Warren Brand, respected coatings industry consultant and longtime contributor to CoatingsPro Magazine, joins our podcast with information on his latest consulting company, the Alternative Response Method (ARM). Using specific tools and practices common to any endeavor in need of strategic thinking, ARM is designed to teach organizations and leaders about how to more intentionally approach their decisions, all while offering a proven framework for thinking and behaving differently when faced with options.

Kevin Kipp, co-owner of Hardig Industrial Services, recently joined our podcast to reflect on his award-winning career and share some lessons learned for others in the industry. Topics include the evolution of the coatings field and how having a holistic understanding can help contractors; the role of industry associations, trade publications, and social media in Hardig’s success; advice for the next generation of coatings professionals; and much more.

In this episode, longtime AMPP member Stephanie Decker asks questions sent in from members to CEO Bob Chalker. Topics include leadership nominations, volunteer opportunities, Communities of Interest, and much more.

Tom Higginbotham, manager at PPG Industrial Coatings and chair of the AMPP Education Committee, explains the latest Coating Inspector Program (CIP) updates from the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

Topics include new features of the updated courses; feedback from members and others in the industry; how AMPP is addressing concerns related to the legacy NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings programs; and how people can learn more information about the CIP updates and/or get more involved.

Based in Lexington, Kentucky, Intech Contracting, LLC performs inspection support and rehabilitation work for highway bridges, as well as structural steel fabrication and erection work, for commercial and industrial clients. For over a decade, a key player in their growth has been Brad Wilder, bridge painting division manager. 

In this episode, Wilder shares advice and perspective on his road to success while outlining the role of organizations like AMPP in helping him achieve it.

Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) member Stephanie Decker sits down with AMPP CEO Bob Chalker for an in-depth conversation about AMPP’s social media presence and its approach to negative comments. Other topics include the role of AMPP customer service, as well as answering member questions regarding the AMPP Ethics course and professional development hours (PDHs).

Based in National City, California, just outside San Diego, Prime Time Coatings is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) painting contractor whose owner and president, Johnny M. Sanchez, has helped provide coatings for the maritime sector since he was 19 years old. In 2017, he was the inaugural Contractor/Crew MVP winner of CoatingsPro Magazine’s Contractor Awards.

With nearly 30 years of valuable industry experience, Sanchez was recently awarded an assignment that he views as a “lifelong achievement” in the protective coatings industry: Working on an aircraft carrier flight deck for the U.S. Navy.

“It’s a big deal in the industry,” Sanchez said. “Not many companies have the background or capabilities to win such a contract. My career has come full circle, to be able to work on the Navy’s most important asset. This would not have been possible without NACE (International) and SSPC (The Society for Protective Coatings) courses throughout my career.”

To elaborate further on his success, as well as the role of industry associations in helping him achieve that, Sanchez recently joined the CoatingsPro Interview Series.

Lesley Martinez, manager of conferences at the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), shares her takeaways from the first AMPP Annual Conference + Expo.

Topics discussed on this episode include feedback, data, and lessons learned from the 2022 in-person event in San Antonio, Texas; information on the newly released virtual component; and key dates and highlights for the 2023 AMPP show in Denver, Colorado.

In celebration of National Robotics Week, Robert Dahlstrom—founder and CEO of Apellix—joins us to discuss new trends in the aerial robotics market.

Topics on the podcast include recent developments in the industry and at Apellix; feedback from users in the field; workforce implications; and what the future looks like for using robotics across various phases of corrosion control and protective coatings projects.

The annual IAAPA Expo is the largest trade show for the attractions industry. Janna Schulze, social media specialist at AMPP, recently attended the show and interviewed corrosion experts including Chris Ball (Vector Corrosion Technologies) and Ryan Tinnea (Tinnea & Associates, LLC) about industry trends and what to watch for.

This “member profile” episode features Bill Corbett, chief operations officer at coatings and corrosion engineering and inspection firm KTA-Tator, Inc., and Pete Ault, incoming president.

As part of this new podcast, Corbett and Ault share insights on their time with the company and industry trends; perspectives on the merger of SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE International; and hopes for the future with the newly merged organization known as the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

Jay Whitaker, technical services specialist, and Paul Trautmann, project development manager, are two experienced team members at Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine who offer plenty of protective coatings industry connections — and association ones, to boot.

In this “member profile” interview, Whitaker and Trautmann share insights on their time with the company and industry trends; perspectives on the merger of SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE International; and hopes for the future with the newly merged organization known as the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

In the latest episode of the AMPP Roundtable Series, association member Stephanie Decker asks CEO Bob Chalker for updates on AMPP chapters and sections; headquarters information for legacy NACE/SSPC and the new organization; and how staff is transitioning to AMPP. The episode concludes with a frequently asked question (FAQ) regarding the merger.

District Council 57 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT DC 57) is an organization of more than 2,500 members in Western Pennsylvania. Formed in 1997 as a council made of several local unions, its goal is to represent tradespeople in the region while helping them achieve careers with good wages, benefits, safety, and dignity in the workplace.

Andrew Croll, director of organizing at IUPAT DC 57, has found his affiliations with SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and now AMPP quite helpful to both his career and the objectives of the union. In this podcast, Croll elaborates on the relationship and what the associations have meant to him and IUPAT over the years, and he also offers some thoughts on what the future may look like.

In the second episode of the Member Roundtable Series, Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) members Jane Brown and Stephanie Decker continue their conversation AMPP CEO Bob Chalker. 

During this episode, Chalker explains the back story of AMPP’s brand, including how the name was formed, what the logo stands for, and the legal process taken to ensure AMPP's brand remains strong for decades.

(Episode 1)

Davies Hood, president and owner at Induron Protective Coatings, has worked in a leading executive role for the past decade. In this exclusive interview with CoatingsPro Magazine, Hood shares some of his insight on current industry trends and keys to Induron’s success; his perspective on the merger of SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE International; and some hopes for the future with the newly merged organization known as AMPP.

With a high deficit of technological know-how in the traditional oil and gas sector, as well as related fields like corrosion mitigation, digital transformation and investment in workers is necessary to ensure the industry’s future.

Travis Parigi, CEO of field management software company LiquidFrameworks, shares his insight on how training, learning management systems, and comprehensive tools and solutions can help workers grow their skills and allow the industry to evolve.

Bob Chalker, CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), recently joined the special 20th anniversary podcast series at CoatingsPro Magazine.

Topics include the magazine’s evolution over the years and its outlook moving forward; changes and trends in the coatings industry over his time with NACE International and AMPP; priorities for the newly merged association and where publications such as CoatingsPro and Materials Performance fit in; and much more. Tune in!

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, who represents the 7th District of Texas, joins our podcast to discuss what the corrosion industry can expect from the newly signed U.S. infrastructure package. District 7 is where the longtime NACE International headquarters and current AMPP office complex is located in West Houston.

Topics include motivations for the bill and why it got to the finish line in this Congress; highlights of the deal that pertain most to corrosion engineers and contractors; how a person or company can position themselves to earn work; how industry associations like AMPP can help; and much more.

With the landmark U.S. infrastructure bill recently being signed into law, we discuss its implications for the corrosion industry with Adam L. Christopher, manager of government relations at the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), and Dan Adley, recently retired CEO of engineering consultancy KTA-Tator, Inc. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA).

Topics include a legislative outline of the bill and insight into some of its major topics; what the infrastructure legislation means for the corrosion industry as a whole; what AMPP members can do to prepare themselves; and where people should go to find out more information about the bill and any opportunities.

In the first episode of the Member Roundtable Series, Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) members Jane Brown and Stephanie Decker interview AMPP CEO Bob Chalker. During that conversation, Chalker shares the background story of the steps taken to merge SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE International into AMPP.

Niles Hickman, global product marketing manager at Graco, recently joined the “member profile” series from CoatingsPro Magazine to share some of his company’s keys to success.

Topics include feedback from contractors on needs and challenges in the field; how new coating technologies are changing the marketplace in 2021; potential equipment solutions from Graco; and the role of industry associations such as SSPC, NACE, and AMPP in moving careers forward.

Jerry Frankel, Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Director of the Fontana Corrosion Center at The Ohio State University, joins the CORROSION journal Interview Series to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on universities, labs, and the research community. Topics discussed on this episode also include the importance of in-person meetings and the CorroZoom series that Jerry launched. 

AMPP is working on a new initiative to collect all legacy and current intellectual property content (standards, conference papers, books, etc.) while using best practices in content management and its supporting technology to make it discoverable for the audience.

Learn more in this exclusive interview with Mandy May, director of content management for the association, and Bob Chalker, CEO of AMPP.

Curt Hickcox, vice president of business development at Public Utilities Maintenance, Inc. (Queens Village, New York, USA), joins our "member profile" podcast series to discuss his career in the corrosion industry.

Topics include corrosion mitigation strategies of the past, present, and future for electric transmission and distribution clients; the importance of contractor certifications and a commitment to safety; and how associations like SSPC, NACE, and AMPP can play key roles in career development and company growth.

Warren Brand heads Chicago Corrosion Group, a leading vendor-neutral consultancy. In this podcast, he shares many of his personal keys to success, insights on the coatings industry, and perspective on the combination of NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings into the newly formed Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

In a successful career spanning more than four decades, Brand has owned an industrial tank lining and coating firm and has written dozens of blogs and technical articles in a variety of publications. Brand, who is a certified NACE Level 3 and The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) protective coating specialist (PCS), has earned an MBA, as well. He has managed thousands of coating installation projects and developed specs for thousands of paint and coating applications.

For more information, contact Warren on LinkedIn or visit www.chicagocorrosiongroup.com.

Joe Walker, vice president and general manager of Elcometer Inc., joins our “member profile” series to share some of his company’s keys to success. Topics include Elcometer's journey as an equipment supplier to the coatings industry; strategies on how to train clients to best use their products; career highlights and expansion strategies; and much more.

Walker, who is an immediate past chair of AMPP, also shares his thoughts on the merger of NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings — led by what he sees as benefits and priorities for the combined association and industry moving forward.

Jim Kunkle, manager of business development at AMPP, sits down with Lou Lyras, CEO of Corcon, Inc.; Sam Scaturro, president of Alpine Painting and vice chairman of the AMPP board; and Adam Christopher, government relations manager at AMPP, to discuss the surface transportation and water infrastructure bill that is currently in the U.S. Senate.

Topics include what subjects the bill is designed to address, what factors are important to AMPP members and stakeholders, and how AMPP members can help support the bill's passage.

Ingrid Milošev, Head of the Department of Physical and Organic Chemistry at Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia and scientific advisor for Valdoltra Orthopaedic Hospital, joins this episode of the CORROSION journal Interview Series to discuss her career. She analyzes her work on copper alloys and biomedical corrosion, as well as some of the changes in the field over the past 30 years.

Ingrid extends thanks to all of her coworkers throughout the years at the Department.

For more information, contact: Ingrid Milošev, Ingrid.Milosev@ijs.si

This episode features our interview with Dr. Mehrooz Zamanzadeh, technical director and principal investigator at Matergenics and Nathan Pace, corrosion engineer for Matergenics. Dr. Mehrooz discusses potential causes of the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside, Florida, and he offers safety recommendations for coastal buildings nearby and nationwide.

Dr. Zamamzadeh is a Fellow of NACE international and ASM; a NACE Certified Specialist in coatings, cathodic protection, and materials selection and design; and an AMPP Instructor for condition assessment and corrosion engineering.

In the debut episode of AMPPLIFY, Jim Kunkle and Dave Evans explore the new AMPP QP Accreditation Programs, featuring QP-1, QP-2, QP-3, QP-5, QP-6, QP-8, and QS-1.

Cindy O'Malley, Chief Operations Officer and AMPP Global Center Executive Director, joins our podcast to discuss corrosion concerns in residential buildings and the possible implications of corrosion in the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside, Florida, USA.

Oladis Troconis de Rincón, the founder and former Director of 30 years of the Centro de Estudios de Corrosion at the University of Zulia (LUZ) in Venezuela, joins the CORROSION journal Interview Series to discuss her career in corrosion. Currently an advisor at LUZ and a Research Scientist at UTSA, Oladis talks about why she switched from studying polymers to corrosion, starting the corrosion program at LUZ, and international collaborations and projects she has worked on over her 40+ year career. 

For more information, contact: Oladis Troconis de Rincón at oladistdr@gmail.com or oladis.troconis@utsa.edu.

Tristan de Servins and Solveig Parent of Heuristech and Dr. Homero Castaneda-Lopez of Texas A&M University join the MP Interview Series to discuss their Differential Reflectometry Mapping (DRM) technology, which was recently named as a winner in the 2021 MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards program.

DRM is described as a novel technology that uses electromagnetic reflectometry to assess the state of a coating on buried pipeline networks. This technology allows users to detect, locate, and characterize coating defects, including delaminations, and the experts offer more background details on this podcast. DRM is non-invasive and ideally suited to assess pipelines in cities, under roads or waterways, and in other challenging environments. 

Marcelo Senatore, technical marketing manager for the Americas region at Sandvik, joins our podcast to discuss the features of his company’s new Sanicro 35 alloy. The technology was honored in the recent 2021 MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards program.

With an official launch in August 2020, the alloy is the latest addition to Sandvik’s growing Sanicro portfolio of nickel alloys and austenitic stainless steels (SS). According to the company, it offers high-performance, strength, and corrosion resistance at a wide range of temperatures. Designed for extremely corrosive environments and seawater applications, it is described as ideal for heat exchangers and hydraulic and instrumentation tubing.

In the episode, Senatore discusses end users and applications for the alloy; how Sandvik is overcoming many of the historical limitations related to various SS grades and nickel alloys; results from field testing and the path to commercialization; what the next steps are; and much more.

Kamal Taher, Director of Global Operations at AMPP, joins our podcast to explain how his department is helping members and customers around the world adjust to the combination of NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings.

Topics include common questions and feedback from members in different world regions; priorities in blending NIICAP and SSPC QP contractor accreditation programs; strategies to overcome concerns and objections; subject areas and markets for growth in corrosion control; and much more.

Dr. Patrick Dodds, founder and CEO of Hexigone, joins our podcast to discuss his company’s high-performance corrosion inhibitors — which were recently honored in the 2021 MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards.

Known as Intelli-ion, Hexigone's range of products replace toxic chemicals with safer, smarter, and sustainable inhibitors that bring coatings to life by enabling them to react and protect “on demand” against corrosion. This is done by incorporating an active ingredient which has never before been used effectively within coatings.

In the episode, Dodds explains the latest results from the field, as well as the next steps moving forward.

Lesley Martinez, Manager of Conferences at AMPP, joins our podcast to recap the recently completed CORROSION 2021 Virtual Conference & Expo. Martinez shares highlights from the show and lessons learned from the virtual experience, along with a preview of the upcoming transition to in-person events. She also offers an early look at the Coatings+ 2021 show and the first AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in March 2022.

Tony da Costa, vice president of engineering at MOBILTEX, joins the podcast to discuss recent advancements in remote cathodic protection (CP) monitoring. 

His company's CorTalk RMU1+INT1 package, which was honored as an MP Corrosion Innovation Awards winner, is designed to enable utilities and pipeline operators to remotely perform interruption, obtain CP measurement data, and dramatically reduce travel to remote locations. In this episode, da Costa shares user feedback on the technology and related trends, along with unique insight and perspective from his decades in the corrosion industry.

In a new series spotlighting winners of the 2021 MP Corrosion Innovation Awards, Northrop Grumman's Harvey Hack and Jim Wandgassen join us to discuss the technology behind the NiobiCon underwater electrical connector. Topics include the historical limitations of connector technologies; how NiobiCon overcomes those challenges and offers additional benefits; recent field testing results; and the path to commercialization.

Narasi Sridhar, CEO of MC Consult LLC, shares some of the highlights from his 40-year career in corrosion. He discusses how creativity and openness to possibilities in your career can lead you to unexpected places, such as working on a project for NASA to detect past life on Mars with Raman spectroscopy. Other topics in this episode of the CORROSION journal Interview Series include the importance of mentors and the need for risk management.

The January 2021 issue of Materials Performance magazine featured the article, “Enabling Manufacturing and Fuel Efficiencies with Novel Pretreatment,” written by John D. Watkins, senior scientist, and Crystal G. Morrison, leader of business development, both with LumiShield Technologies, Inc.

In this episode, they join the MP Interview Series to discuss the subject of their article in greater detail. Topics include next-generation pretreatment technologies; material lightweighting; their research findings; and the corrosion resistance of aluminum oxide.