NACE International Podcasts

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.

Kim Ray, Director of Pre-Professional and Young Professional Programs at AMPP, explains how the association’s EMERG program aims to bring more people into the materials protection industry. Topics include the EMERG mission and its available programs and resources; ways in which AMPP members can be of assistance; how EMERG relates to current industry dynamics, such as the projected craftworker shortage; and upcoming events and opportunities.

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 indu