CoatingsPro Interview Series

Curt Hickcox, vice president of business development at New York-based Public Utilities Maintenance, Inc., 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.

Niles Hickman, global product marketing manager at Graco, joins our “member profile” series 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.

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.

Stephanie Chizik, Editor-in-Chief of CoatingsPro Magazine, joins us from Las Vegas to share her experiences at the 2021 International Roofing Expo (IRE).

Topics include how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the outlook for roof coatings and companies in the field; challenges and opportunities with workforce development; how the industry is evolving with new roofing technologies; and all sorts of other important takeaways from this year’s conference and exhibits.

In the debut episode of AMPPLIFY, Jim Kunkle and Dave Evans explore the new AMPP QP Accreditation Programs, featuring QP-1, QP-2, QP-3, QP-5, QP-6, QP-8, and QS-1. As part of the discussion, Kunkle and Evans analyze the potential benefits and implications for coatings contractors and asset owners.

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.

Cindy O'Malley, Chief Operations Officer and AMPP Global Center Executive Director, joins our podcast to discuss corrosion concerns in residential buildings and the possible implications of corrosion in the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside, Florida, USA.

Roy Schauffele, executive advisor to the ABAA Board and president and founder of Division 7 Solutions, Inc., has been in the air barrier industry for decades. His experiences and education have helped to improve the liquid-applied industry over the years, and he calls for people in the industry to work harder to up their game. To speak with Schauffele for more information about what was discussed in this episode, contact him at (210) 859-3749.

Stephanie Chizik, Editor-in-Chief of CoatingsPro Magazine, and Bree McCullough, Multimedia Specialist, join the podcast from Las Vegas to recap the 2021 World of Concrete trade show.

Topics include the return to in-person industry gatherings after COVID-19; standout exhibits and demonstrations; market trends and feedback; and much more.