NACE International Podcasts

Richard Tooley, owner of Kansas City-based Elite Roof Systems, explains how his roofing company is setting up a new program to award a free commercial roof to a regional nonprofit later this year. In the episode, Tooley explains the motivations and steps involved in setting up this type of program, which could potentially be adopted by other contractors, as well.

In this podcast, NACE members Joe Mazzella and Tom Hayden of Engineering Director, Inc. (Evanston, Illinois, USA)  join the MP Interview Series to discuss the work they are doing to combat corrosion through the use of machine learning. They provide a brief overview of their project that involves estimating corrosion growth rates in underground pipelines; details about the computer vision app they are creating; and an update on NACE task group TG 589.  More information on their work is available in the August 2020 issue of Materials Performance (MP).

Jennifer Wilkerson, Senior Director of Innovation & Advancement at the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), shares some insights on how to help shrink the skills gap in the construction industry. An industry-wide issue compounded by the coronavirus have created a situation where training, outreach, and more may help your contracting company succeed. For more information, contact: NCCER, www.nccer.org

Justin Tousignant, president and co-founder at Black Bear Coatings & Concrete, joins our podcast to discuss how business has changed for coatings contractors in 2020.  Tousignant also shares lessons learned and tips from the field after his team's recent application project at a new medical marijuana facility in Massachusetts, which was profiled in the July 2020 issue of CoatingsPro Magazine. For more information, contact: Black Bear Coatings & Concrete, www.blackbearconcrete.com

Tim Bieri, corrosion management engineer at BP and president of the 2020-21 NACE International Board of Directors, joins the podcast to discuss the next year for the association. Topics include leadership within corrosion control; navigating logistical challenges related to COVID-19; and the impending combination of NACE with The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC).

Jon Franko, thinker and founder at Gorilla76, works in the marketing realm with mid-sized industrial manufacturers. In this episode, he gives us an overview of the different types of marketing available for B2B and B2C companies and shares tips on options that might be useful for contractors today. His company has also started working toward a more diverse and inclusive team, and he shares a bit of his experience here. For more information on their company and resources, as well as their own podcast, visit: www.gorilla76.com

Darby Howard, principal engineer and president of JDH Corrosion Consultants, joins the MP Interview Series to share tips and lessons learned from the testing, inspection, and rehabilitation of offshore cast iron pipes in the San Francisco Bay. The discussion includes an overview of the project and its different phases, along with challenges and other details unique to this undertaking. For more information, check out the original Materials Performance article on this special project.

Heather O'Brien, President of Easycove, joins the CoatingsPro Interview Series to discuss the growing market in 2020 for seamless flooring and the importance of coving for clients and contractors. With hygiene a primary consideration during COVID-19, the Easycove executive explains how cove base can be a part of the solution. O'Brien also explores market trends and challenges in 2020, as well as some potential strategies to adapt to the changing marketplace. For more information, contact: Easycove, www.easycove.com

Materials Performance (MP) Technical Editor Jack Tinnea expands on his environmental analysis of corrosion in Antarctica, as well as key takeaways and lessons learned for other areas throughout the world. During or after listening to the podcast, check out his recent MP technical article entitled "Antarctica—Corrosion in a Polar Desert" for further information.

Friday's podcast features unique insights from Materials Performance (MP) Editor Rebecca Bickham, Managing Editor-in-Chief Gretchen Jacobson, and Staff Writer Ben DuBose regarding the upcoming 2021 MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards program.   Topics include how to submit a nomination; details about the judging panel of corrosion experts, and what it is that they're looking for; new perks for the winners; and much more. Tune in!

Stuart Binstock, President & CEO of the Construction Financial Management Association, discusses the association’s Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry. Additionally, construction has the highest number of suicides compared to other groups. Now more than ever, mental health is a concern for construction. CIASP’s goal is to create a zero-suicide industry, and, in this episode, Stuart discusses with CoatingsPro how suicide can affect our industry and what resources are available to help those in need — from coworkers and peers themselves to family members dealing with a loved one who has committed suicide.   For more information, contact: CIASP, www.preventconstructionsuicide.com

Friday's interview podcast welcomes Dan Adley, CEO of coatings and corrosion engineering and inspection specialist KTA-Tator, Inc. and a member of the NACE International Board of Directors.   In the episode, Adley shares business updates and considerations for the corrosion industry in 2020 while also exploring the important roles of leadership and strategic planning during these uncertain times.   More information on KTA's services is available at kta.com and ktauniversity.com.

Ryan Miller, director of the coatings tools division at Seymour Midwest, explains how and why tool providers are working to make their products more user intuitive for coatings applicators. In the interview, Miller also offers perspective on how select segments of the coatings industry have fared during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as what could be ahead in the remainder of 2020.

Lisa Ryan, Certified Speaking Professional and Chief Appreciation Strategist at Grategy, is changing the conversation around company culture and employee engagement in the construction industry. In our latest podcast, she shares tips and tricks about using technology, recognizing your employees, and more, which you can start putting to action today. For more information, contact Lisa Ryan at lisaryanspeaks.com, and check out CoatingsPro’s other Interview Series podcasts here.

Bob Dahlstrom, CEO of Apellix, joins our podcast for a discussion of how new drone technologies are changing the landscape of corrosion inspections. Dahlstrom shares updates on pilot programs and other recent developments in 2020, including whether the COVID-19 pandemic could make asset owners explore alternatives to traditional field inspections.

Mel Kleiman, founder and president of Humetrics, gives tips and tricks for hiring and retaining good employees. How important is experience? How often should you be interviewing? What should you look for in future employees? All of this — and more! — are discussed in this episode.  Get more resources from Mel on CoatingsPro’s website:   Questions You Need to Ask Every Valued Employee Job Opening: “Experience Needed.” Really? And be sure to reach out to him directly for more: Humetrics, www.humetrics.com

Phil Kinnane, vice president of sales at COMSOL, joins our COVID-19 Interview Series to discuss the growing role of modeling and simulation tools in the fight against corrosion. COMSOL offers software that can help predict coating lifespan and many other corrosion problems for a wide range of end users, and Kinnane explains how that business has fared in the era of a pandemic. With the virus making some field maintenance visits less viable, could that make corrosion modeling even more important? Kinnane addresses that subject and much more in Tuesday's podcast.

Ken Rossy, vice president of sales at surface preparation company HoldTight Solutions, explains how the pandemic has prompted the corrosion control industry to become more creative to overcome logistics and market constraints. He also breaks down why it's the type of business, rather than geography, that is most likely to shape a company's outlook for the remainder of 2020.

Sylvia Fontes of Forensic Analytical Consulting Services joins our podcast to discuss how the environmental consulting company has been supporting hygiene efforts during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Fontes gives tips for companies as they start to transition back into the workplace or jobsite. She explains how the company has also continued its work in the field by analyzing environmental information and helping to guide and monitor. She offers a unique perspective on how our actions now may make a longer-term difference. To learn more about the company, including the helpful content they’re sharing on their blog, check out forensicanalytical.com.

Janet South, President, and Laura Blechl, Vice President of Business Operations, at DECO Coatings out of Indianapolis, Ind., join CoatingsPro Magazine to discuss how COVID-19 has affected the contracting side of the coatings industry. They share challenges that they’ve had to overcome in the recent weeks, a few tips that contractors can use in the field and shop, and suggestions for the industry moving forward. Their insight seems invaluable, and we’re grateful to have had them on the show!