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

IPC’s Sam Navarro Targets Next Generation of Craftworkers

Sam Navarro, vice president of business development and marketing at industrial solutions provider IPC Industries, joins our ongoing “member profile” series at CoatingsPro Magazine. 

Topics include industry trends and feedback; 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.

For more information, contact: IPC, (409) 935-8800, www.ipcindustrieslp.com

Meet New CoatingsPro Editor Rebecca Emanuelsen

Rebecca Emanuelsen, our new Editor at CoatingsPro Magazine, joins Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Chizik and AMPP News Editor Ben DuBose for a roundtable discussion regarding her new role. 

Topics on Monday’s newly released podcast include the job scope and why Rebecca was the best fit; initial impressions and takeaways; contact points for the broader industry; and what’s on the horizon for a fully staffed CoatingsPro moving forward. Tune in!

Father-Son Duo Building Relationships and Beyond at GPI

Danny Pelaez, coatings inspector at construction engineering company Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI), had an early introduction to the world of coatings and corrosion by visiting numerous jobsites as a child. The reason is that his father, Ramon Pelaez, is GPI’s New England coatings and corrosion manager!

Today, they work together at GPI. In this Father’s Day themed podcast, Danny and “Ray” reflect on their unique combination of family and business while sharing some lessons learned from their careers. Both men also explain how industry associations like AMPP have helped their careers thanks to education and networking opportunities.

For more information, contact: GPI, (631) 587-5060, www.gpinet.com

Warren Brand on the Alternative Response Method (ARM)

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.

The ARM team is currently partnering with U.S. Air Force Pararescueman Senior Master Sgt. Derek Anderson, who played an important role in the miraculous 2018 rescue of 12 young athletes and their soccer coach at a flooded cave system in Thailand. Numerous films and documentaries have chronicled the historic events. According to Anderson, the framework and methodology of ARM accurately captured and articulated how his team made many of those pressure-packed decisions.

As part of the partnership, Anderson will be working with ARM in developing workshops, webinars, and ongoing implementation consulting for individuals and organizations on how to make optimal decisions. More ARM details are available in these presentation slides.

For more information, contact: Warren Brand, (312) 535-4848, www.armmethod.com

Women in Coatings: Yvonne Haley Leads by Example

Our latest “member profile” podcast features an extended conversation with Yvonne Haley, president and founder of Commerce, Calif.-based Haley Industrial Coatings & Linings, Inc. CoatingsPro Magazine’s longtime readers may remember Haley from feature profiles in the May 2005 and July 2011 print issues.

More than 40 years ago, Haley graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) with degrees in business and dance. She initially worked as a professional dancer, but, within a few short years, Haley went from dancing on floors to creating them! Soon after, she pulled off an even more impressive feat by starting her own business, which, at the time, was quite a rarity for a woman in the world of coatings contracting.

Today, Haley Industrial’s website says it is a “proud, woman-owned small business with ‘large business’ capabilities.” The company specializes in areas such as resinous flooring and wall systems, waterproofing, green concrete, and vapor transmission flooring, with end markets ranging from pharmaceutical clients to chemical plants to battery acid installations. It’s no surprise that the “Battery Queen” nickname has stuck with Haley over the years.

In our podcast interview, Haley shares perspective on her time with the company and in the coatings industry, along with insight on how it has changed over the past four decades. She also offers her views on the recent merger of SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE International and opportunities for the future with the newly merged organization known as the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

For more information, contact: Haley Industrial, (323) 588-8086, www.haleyindustrial.com