AMPP Interview Series

Ahmed Mahgoub, cathodic protection (CP) specialist at Saudi Aramco, recently won AMPP’s 2026 John H. Fitzgerald III Award for the best article published in Materials Performance (MP).

In this conversation, Mahgoub highlights his 20-year journey in the industry and shares details on his award-winning article (“Assessment of Inductive AC Interference Mitigation Strategies”), which addresses real-world challenges in pipeline integrity. He also underscores the role of AMPP’s resources and community in his professional growth.

Rachelle Rigby, coating inspector at Remedy Asset Protection and conference manager at the Australasian Corrosion Association, spoke with AMPP Media about the ongoing “Women of AMPP” program.

In her comments from the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, Rigby emphasized the importance of networking, mentoring, and encouraging women to step out of their comfort zones. Rigby also highlighted global opportunities to expand the Women of AMPP initiative through regional events and online webinars.

Paul N. Chang, director of the U.S. Department of War’s Office of Corrosion Policy and Oversight (CPO), spoke to AMPP Media on the sidelines of the recent 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. In his interview, Chang emphasized the importance of workforce development, practical technology application, and updating outdated policies, specifications, and standards to support national defense initiatives.

In interviews from the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, DJ Guba of Atlantic Design Inc. (ADI, 2:04) highlights the importance of the oil and gas sector and AMPP’s growing maritime emphasis, noting significant sales and educational engagement.

Meanwhile, Seaspan Corp.’s Dylan Goddard (9:18) — also chair of AMPP’s British Columbia chapter — emphasizes the need for standardization and workforce development in the maritime industry. Today and into the future, serving both industrial and commercial maritime markets is a priority for AMPP.

Additional details are available in our conference interview with Jennifer Merck, AMPP’s vice president of defense and maritime.

Sarah Olthof, AMPP’s Senior Technical Manager specializing in corrosion protection, chats with AMPP Media regarding the recently completed 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. In that role, Olthof leads AMPP’s technical engagement team, which supports the association’s standards and research programs.

Discussion topics on this episode include her team’s highlights from the conference, as well as next steps for the numerous Standards Committees (SCs) and Technical Communities of Interest (TCIs).

Ken Seal, Deputy Director for the International Finishing Trades Institute (IFTI) of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), caught up with AMPP Media on the sidelines of the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo.

Discussion topics include the importance of workforce development and recruitment initiatives, as well as how industry bodies like the IUPAT and AMPP can work together to enhance training and workforce retention.

In his interview, Seal also cites key market sectors driving investment, such as data centers and bridges, and he explains the benefits of union representation in navigating market challenges. With the help of organizations such as the IUPAT, this can be done while maintaining high standards and ensuring job security and safety for workers.

At the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, discussions highlighted sectors including energy production and transportation; maritime and defense operations; and civil infrastructure systems to support global communities. To help AMPP best serve these industries, the association has three vice presidents — Tim Gonzalez (2:02), Jennifer Merck (9:41), and Ernst Toussaint (18:19) — leading these market verticals.

In a series of studio interviews inside the AMPP 2026 Exhibit Hall, the three VPs shared their unique insights and priorities with Sammy Miles and Ben DuBose of AMPP Media. Topics include key takeaways from the conference; exciting developments within AMPP; and expectations for the future.

A record-breaking AMPP Annual Conference + Expo is now complete! Inside the new AMPP Media Studio on the Exhibit Hall floor (video), AMPP CEO Alan Thomas joined Ben DuBose to discuss highlights from the 2026 show in Houston. Interview topics include the launch of TalentForce; key takeaways from the conference’s keynote address; reflections on AMPP’s five-year anniversary; and expectations for the year ahead.

A record-breaking show in Houston is officially in the books!

Inside the AMPP Media Studio, Greg Muha, Director of Conferences, Exhibits, and Sponsorships at AMPP, joined our Ben DuBose and Lisa Sciortino to recap the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference & Expo. The interview can also be viewed in video form here.

Discussion topics include packed sessions and new technologies in the Exhibit Hall to the TalentForce launch, first-timer programs, and memorable networking events throughout the week.

Next stop: Columbus, Ohio, in 2027!

Dr. Alan Rose, CEO at Corrdesa, and Dr. Siva Palani, CTO, are the latest guests in our ongoing series profiling MP’s 2025 Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards. In this episode, they discuss the company’s award-winning innovation, “Portable Plating Shop for On-Aircraft Coating Repair.” Used in over 100 systems globally, the technology addresses aircraft corrosion issues by providing rapid, non-drip plating solutions.