Podcasts

Podcasts

These podcasts are part of the new CoatingsPro Interview Series, launched in July 2020. In this series, CoatingsPro Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Chizik and News Editor Ben DuBose chat with industry experts and thought leaders to provide tips on how industrial and commercial coatings contractors can improve their bottom line. Check back for regular updates!

Editor's note: Earlier podcasts from CoatingsPro's COVID-19 Interview Series, which ran from March 2020 through June 2020, are available here.

Addressing the Worker Shortage in Skilled Trades

Mike Chambers, owner of Chambers Painting in Sellersburg, Indiana, went viral in December after a chance encounter with Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs. In a Facebook post, Rowe relayed many of Chambers’ hiring challenges, as well as his creative ideas to address a growing shortage of craftworkers for skilled trades. 

In a new conversation with CoatingsPro Magazine, Chambers shares how that memorable experience has brought his company a new wave of workers. As part of the interview, Chambers also explores recent industry trends and explains ways that both individual contractors and policymakers can potentially alleviate the worker shortage in the months and years ahead.

How Industry Associations and Unions Can Work Together

District Council 57 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT DC 57) is an organization of more than 2,500 members in Western Pennsylvania. Formed in 1997 as a council made of several local unions, its goal is to represent tradespeople in the region while helping them achieve careers with good wages, benefits, safety, and dignity in the workplace.

Andrew Croll, director of organizing at IUPAT DC 57, has found his affiliations with SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and now the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) quite helpful to both his career and the objectives of the union. In this episode, Croll elaborates on the relationship and what the associations have meant to him and IUPAT over the years, and he also offers some thoughts on what the future may look like.

For more information, contact: IUPAT DC 57, (412) 276-5758, www.iupatdc57.org

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

Bob Chalker, CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), recently joined our 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 how it can benefit coatings contractors; and much more. Tune in!

For more information, contact: AMPP, www.ampp.org

Know Your Niche: Induron’s Davies Hood Looks to the Future

Davies Hood, president and owner at Induron Protective Coatings, has worked in a leading executive role for the past decade. In this exclusive podcast interview with CoatingsPro Magazine, Hood shares some of his insight on current industry trends and keys to Induron’s success; his perspective on the merger of SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE International; and some hopes for the future with the newly merged organization known as the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

For more information, contact: Induron, www.induron.com

Rust-Oleum Manager Shares His Outlook, Lessons Learned

David O’Bryan Jr., technical services manager at Rust-Oleum, joins our “member profile” podcast series to share his experiences and key takeaways from decades in the protective coatings industry. 

Topics include feedback from coatings contractors and recent technological trends; analysis of the skilled labor shortage and advice to industry newcomers; how industry associations have helped O’Bryan’s career and that of Rust-Oleum; and what he’d like to see from the newly formed Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). 

For more information, contact: Rust-Oleum, www.rustoleum.com

Concare’s Ron Puszynski on Coatings Industry Changes, Trends

Ron Puszynski, president and co-founder of concrete protection and restoration company Concare, Inc., joins our podcast to discuss his career in the coatings industry and potential trends moving forward. 

Topics include how the industry has evolved since the launch of Concare in the 1970s; new trends and technologies to watch for in the years ahead; analysis of workforce challenges and opportunities; and how CoatingsPro Magazine (now 20 years old!) has helped enable Concare’s success through the years.

For more information, contact: Concare, (866) 266-2273, www.concare.com

Lou Frank, Founder of CoatingsPro, Reflects on 20th Anniversary

Lou Frank is currently the business development principle at Coatings for Industry, Inc. (CFI), but he's also known in the industry as the founder of CoatingsPro Magazine. With the magazine celebrating its 20-year anniversary in November 2021, Frank joins us to reflect on the remarkable journey of the past two decades, as well as where things could be headed over the next 20 years.

For more information on CoatingsPro's 20th anniversary, check out the November 2021 print issue.

How Coatings Contractors Should Market Their Business

Matt DiBara, owner of DiBara Masonry and founder of The Undercover Contractor, offers advice for how contractors can grow their business through effective marketing and communication strategies. 

Topics discussed on the podcast include tips and tricks on how a contract company can stand out from its competitors; the role of websites and new digital tools; strategies to build trust with clients and general contractors; common mistakes and pitfalls; and much more.

For more information, contact: DiBara Masoney, (323) 313-0165, www.dibaramasonry.com

Managing Corrosion in Electric Transmission, Distribution

Curt Hickcox, vice president of business development at New York-based Public Utilities Maintenance, Inc. (PUM), 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: The Society for Protective Coatings, NACE International, and AMPP can play key roles in career development and company growth.

For more information, contact: PUM, (718) 740-4540, www.puminc.com

How Graco Sizes up Coatings Equipment Trends

Niles Hickman, global product marketing manager at Graco, joins our “member profile” podcast series to share some of his company’s keys to success. 

Topics discussed include feedback from contractors regarding their 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: The Society for Protective Coatings, NACE International, and the newly formed Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) in moving careers forward.

Member Profile of Coatings Industry Veteran 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.

Key Takeaways from the 2021 International Roofing Expo

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

Topics discussed on the Aug. 12 episode 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 numerous other important takeaways from this year’s conference and exhibit hall. Tune in:

Overview of AMPP QP Contractor Accreditation Programs

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 roundtable discussion, Kunkle and Evans analyze the potential benefits and implications for coatings contractors asset owners.

For more information, contact: AMPP, (281) 228-6200, ampp.org/accreditation

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.

Keys to Success for Black Bear Coatings & Concrete

Black Bear president and co-founder Justin Tousignant joins us to analyze a wide range of industry hot topics and trends. Discussion points include priorities for his company and the coatings industry; the importance of industry associations; the need for more internal training programs among contractors; career highlights and goals; and strategies to recruit, develop, and retain workforce talent.

For more information, contact: Black Bear Coatings & Concrete, (978) 405-0017, www.blackbearconcrete.com