Brunno Batista Pushes for Progress in Roof Coatings

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

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

For more information, contact: Brunno Batista, www.linkedin.com/in/brunno-batista-89593060.

Keys to Success With Abrasive Blasting

Brandon Acker, president of Titan Abrasive Systems, discusses key criteria for contractors and other users to consider as they evaluate blast media, blasting equipment, and other elements of the blasting process for surface preparation. 

Topics discussed on this podcast include the purpose of abrasive blasting and its real-life applications; the correlation between abrasive blasting and the ultimate success of a coating system; decisions that may need to be made related to blast media, equipment, and safety needs; and much more.

For more information, contact: Titan Abrasive Systems, www.titanabrasive.com.

How Coatings Can Best Protect Vital Energy Infrastructure

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.

For more information, contact: Enbridge, www.enbridge.com.

How AMPP Is Gearing Up for Its 2023 Flagship Event

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 noteworthy changes from previous years.

For more information, contact: AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, ace.ampp.org.

Clark Branum on Handling Decorative Concrete

Based near Seattle, Wash., Clark Branum has become one of the most respected voices in the decorative concrete finishing industry as a result of four decades of exemplary work. He currently runs his own contract company, Advanced Concrete Coatings, while also serving as technical director for SUNDEK Products and as a decorative concrete specialist for the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), where he functions as an industry liaison. 

As part of an interview for CoatingsPro Magazine’s Concrete Supplement, which comes out in December 2022, Branum spoke with us about a number of lessons learned from his career and trends in the marketplace. For more information, contact: Advanced Concrete Coatings, (425) 327-5628, www.adv-coatings.com. 

Bob Chalker on His Retirement and AMPP’s Path Forward

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.

For more information, contact: AMPP, (800) 797-6223, www.ampp.org

Coating Concrete: Jay Allred, Rust-Oleum

In this exclusive interview for CoatingsPro Magazine’s upcoming 2022 Concrete Supplement, Jay Allred — architect and engineering business specialist at Rust-Oleum — shares his perspective on recent industry trends and developments related to the coating of concrete substrates. The discussion touches on relevant themes for contractors, manufacturers, clients, and many other vendors throughout the value chain.

For more information, contact: Rust-Oleum, www.rustoleum.com

Malcolm McNeil on More Than a Half-Century in Coatings

Malcolm McNeil, owner and president of McNeil Coatings Consultants, Inc., recently joined our “member profile” podcast series for an exclusive interview. McNeil has been an industry mainstay since his original jobs at Sherwin-Williams and Glidden Paint Company in the 1950s and 1960s, and he broadened his scope as the years progressed by retiring to start his own consulting business and becoming a lead instructor for NACE International’s flagship Coating Inspector Program (CIP). Today, he also serves as Technical Editor for CoatingsPro Magazine.

To no surprise, McNeil picked up on quite a few tips and lessons learned over the years that could prove useful to others in the industry. For more information, contact: McNeil Coatings Consultants, (317) 885-1557, www.mcneilcoatingsconsulting.com

Phil Scisciani on Nearly Four Decades in the Coatings Industry

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

For more information, contact: SCC, (412) 257-3366, www.speccoating.com

How This Denver Roofer Climbed to Success

With nearly a decade of specialized experience, Nicholas Bennett has gotten to know the Denver-area roofing market quite well. As time progressed, Bennett saw opportunities to expand, and he is now reaping the benefits as owner of Advanced Consulting (dba AC Inc Roofing).

In this podcast, Bennett shares several of his lessons learned and keys to success as a roof coatings contractor. He also discusses one of his team’s recent high-profile jobs at the Barclay Towers, which you can read more about in the September 2022 issue of CoatingsPro Magazine.

For more information, contact: Advanced Consulting, (303) 550-4530, www.getabetterroofer.com

Kim Ray on AMPP’s EMERG Program

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.

For more information, contact: AMPP, www.ampp.org

Digital Transformation of the Global Corrosion, Coatings Industries

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, YouTube, LinkedIn

Alison Kaelin on OSHA’s Proposed Changes to Lead Standards

Coatings industry leader and consultant Alison B. Kaelin joins our podcast to discuss proposed changes to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Lead Standards for General Industry and Construction. OSHA is currently accepting comments on the proposed new rules through Oct. 28, 2022.

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 in fields such as personal protective equipment (PPE), safety, equipment, and materials in assisting with the transition; and what industry organizations like AMPP and its members can do to help.

For more information, contact: Alison B. Kaelin, (412) 841-7260, www.abkaelin.com

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi Explains New Bridge Corrosion Act

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.

For more information and additional resources, visit Congressman Garamendi’s web site at garamendi.house.gov and AMPP’s at www.ampp.org.

Meet New CoatingsPro Media Sales Specialist Marian Welsh

Marian Welsh, Media Sales Specialist with AMPP Publications, joins our podcast to discuss her new role as a sales representative for CoatingsPro Magazine. Topics include Marian’s history in the protective coatings industry and opportunities with the new role; how CoatingsPro and potential advertisers can work together; industry trends and changes in media and publishing; and much more.

For more information, contact: CoatingsPro Magazine, (281) 584-6781, www.coatingspromag.com