AMPP Interview Series

AMPP’s Bob Chalker Sees Evolution, Growth in Coatings Industry

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!

Corrosion and the U.S. Infrastructure Bill: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Speaks

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.

What the New U.S. Infrastructure Bill Means for Corrosion Specialists

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.

Member Roundtable: How AMPP Was Formed

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.

How Graco Sees Coatings Equipment Trends

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.

Impact of COVID-19 on Universities and Research

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‘s New Vision for Content Management

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.

Managing Corrosion in Electric Transmission, Distribution Assets

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.

Member Profile of Coatings Guru Warren Brand

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.

Member Profile of Coatings Equipment Leader Elcometer

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.