AMPP Interview Series

How AMPP Is Boosting Its Sustainability Efforts in 2024

In a panel discussion, member leaders Dawn Eden and Sandy Williamson join Ben DuBose, News Editor with AMPP Publications, to explore the association’s latest efforts and intel related to materials sustainability.

Topics include what’s new within AMPP’s Sustainability Task Force; key takeaways and insights from the recently completed 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo; and what they see on the horizon as AMPP ramps up its global outreach around this fast-paced growth topic.

Stronger Together: Amplify Your Voice at AMPP’s Advocacy Day

In a roundtable featuring representatives from AMPP’s member leaders and staff, Kimberly-Joy Harris, Elaine Bowman, and Tim Gonzalez share their perspectives on the importance of participating in AMPP’s annual Advocacy Day (set for May 15-16, 2024).

Discussion topics include tips to effectively advocate for the materials protection industry; how advocating at the government level can impact our field; specific pieces of U.S. legislation that AMPP is focused on this year; and recent additions to the advocacy campaign, such as the Corrosion and Coatings Political Action Committee (PAC) and the new International Advocacy Program.

For more information, visit the AMPP Advocacy Day web page.

Corrosion & Health: Biomedical Corrosion

In a roundtable discussion regarding biomedical corrosion, Dr. Jeremy Gilbert and Dr. Silvia Ceré join CORROSION journal for the third episode of a special series studying corrosion and health. This episode explores different metals used in the body and the ways they are used. The impact of corrosion on implants; challenges studying implants in the body; recent advancements in the field; and areas for future exploration are also discussed.

For more information about this topic, contact Silvia Ceré and Jeremy Gilbert.

Establishing the Value of Third-Party Coating Inspectors

Ryan Bingham, business development leader at third-party inspection services provider OMC International, LLC, shares his insight regarding the value that qualified coating inspectors can have within the industry.

Discussion topics include trends and common pain points from clients; how technologies and demands continue to evolve; the unique career arc of Bingham and the company; and areas where AMPP can help companies such as OMC achieve their goals while serving the association’s broader mission.

The Past, Present, and Future of Coatings Technology

Chris O’Brien, founder and president of Polymer Nation, and Michael Douglass, technical director, join this sponsored episode with insight on the evolution of coatings technologies. Topics include areas of growth and concern in the industry; common challenges that need to be overcome; which technologies could make the biggest jump in the years ahead; and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their business and the industry’s future.

Corrosion & Health: Antimicrobial Properties of Metals

In a discussion regarding the antimicrobial properties of metals, Dr. Harold Michels and Dr. John Scully join CORROSION journal for the second episode of a special series exploring corrosion and health. Focusing on copper and silver, topics include how the antimicrobial properties work, how they have been harnessed over the years, and some of the ways they can be used to prevent the spread of the disease.

For more information about this topic, contact Harold Michels and John Scully.

How AMPP’s 2024 Flagship Event Meets Industry Needs

Gregory Muha, Director of Conferences, Exhibits, and Sponsorships, joins our interview series with answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo.

Held from March 3-7 in New Orleans, discussion topics include what members can expect at the show; highlights of the 2024 schedule; feedback-based changes from previous years; and how the latest version of the conference serves the needs of AMPP members and the broader industry.

Introducing AMPP’s 2024 Whitney Award Winner

Dr. Sanna Virtanen, Professor for Surface Science and Corrosion in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Germany’s Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, is the 2024 recipient of AMPP’s prestigious Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award.

In this roundtable conversation also featuring Raul Rebak of GE Global Research and Dr. John Scully of the University of Virginia, Dr. Virtanen shares highlights from her distinguished career and lessons learned for the next generation, along with insight on what the Whitney Award means to her career.

Rebak and Dr. Scully — who currently serve as AMPP’s Program Committee Chair and Task Force Chair, respectively — add perspective on the AMPP Awards process and the ways in which winners will be honored and celebrated at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in March.

Corrosion & Health: Metals and Coatings with Toxic Effects on the Body

Dr. Gerald Frankel and Dr. Yolanda Hedberg join CORROSION journal for the first episode in a special series exploring corrosion and health to discuss metals and coatings with toxic effects on the body.

This episode explores some of the metals, materials, and chemicals that have negative impacts on the body, such as chromates, preservatives in water-based paints, BPA, and more, along with some of the challenges in replacing these materials.

For more information about this topic, contact Gerald Frankel and Yolanda Hedberg.  

How Infrastructure Insurance Relates to Corrosion Engineering Systems

As part of a new task force, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is bringing together stakeholders from a variety of roles to better understand the relationship that corrosion engineering systems have within the infrastructure insurance industry.

In this conversation, members involved with that task force—GPI’s Tony Serdenes, Nick Kuntz of Alliant Insurance Services, and David A. Scotti of Scotti Law Group—share their perspectives on challenges and best practices that could benefit those involved in designing, specifying, supplying, and performing those services, specifically as they relate to insurance and risk management. The roundtable discussion also explores various paths that AMPP can take to address those challenges, as well as ways in which our industry can work together to develop best practices for risk management and insurance needs.