AMPP Interview Series

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.

HUVRdata Brings New Platform to Inspection Data

Bob Baughman, CEO of HUVRdata, shares how industrial market trends led to the founding of a new company with a purpose-built inspection data management platform. Created in the cloud, the mobile-connected HUVR platform is designed to enable the aggregation, analysis, and automation of visual and quantitative inspection data from any device, sensor, robot, or field technician.

Topics include feedback from the company’s users and partners in the field; inspection tools the system can be integrated with; where it fits within a corrosion management plan; and what the next steps are over the coming months and years.

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 “member profile” series. Topics include industry trends; 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.

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.

Cradle to Grave: How Holistic Thinking Helps Contractors

Kevin Kipp, co-owner of Hardig Industrial Services, recently joined our podcast to reflect on his award-winning career and share some lessons learned for others in the industry. Topics include the evolution of the coatings field and how having a holistic understanding can help contractors; the role of industry associations, trade publications, and social media in Hardig’s success; advice for the next generation of coatings professionals; and much more.

June 2022 Roundtable: Bob Chalker Answers Member Questions

In this episode, longtime AMPP member Stephanie Decker asks questions sent in from members to CEO Bob Chalker. Topics include leadership nominations, volunteer opportunities, Communities of Interest, and much more.

AMPP Education Chair Addresses New CIP Updates

Tom Higginbotham, manager at PPG Industrial Coatings and chair of the AMPP Education Committee, explains the latest Coating Inspector Program (CIP) updates from the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

Topics include new features of the updated courses; feedback from members and others in the industry; how AMPP is addressing concerns related to the legacy NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings programs; and how people can learn more information about the CIP updates and/or get more involved.

Intech’s Brad Wilder Works to Bridge Gaps

Based in Lexington, Kentucky, Intech Contracting, LLC performs inspection support and rehabilitation work for highway bridges, as well as structural steel fabrication and erection work, for commercial and industrial clients. For over a decade, a key player in their growth has been Brad Wilder, bridge painting division manager. 

In this episode, Wilder shares advice and perspective on his road to success while outlining the role of organizations like AMPP in helping him achieve it.

AMPP Member Roundtable: Social Media, Customer Service

Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) member Stephanie Decker sits down with AMPP CEO Bob Chalker for an in-depth conversation about AMPP’s social media presence and its approach to negative comments. Other topics include the role of AMPP customer service, as well as answering member questions regarding the AMPP Ethics course and professional development hours (PDHs).

Business Takes Flight for ‘Nonskid Guy’ Johnny Sanchez

Based in National City, California, just outside San Diego, Prime Time Coatings is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) painting contractor whose owner and president, Johnny M. Sanchez, has helped provide coatings for the maritime sector since he was 19 years old. In 2017, he was the inaugural Contractor/Crew MVP winner of CoatingsPro Magazine’s Contractor Awards.

With nearly 30 years of valuable industry experience, Sanchez was recently awarded an assignment that he views as a “lifelong achievement” in the protective coatings industry: Working on an aircraft carrier flight deck for the U.S. Navy.

“It’s a big deal in the industry,” Sanchez said. “Not many companies have the background or capabilities to win such a contract. My career has come full circle, to be able to work on the Navy’s most important asset. This would not have been possible without NACE (International) and SSPC (The Society for Protective Coatings) courses throughout my career.”

To elaborate further on his success, as well as the role of industry associations in helping him achieve that, Sanchez recently joined the CoatingsPro Interview Series.