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.

Using Graphene and Nanomaterials in the Coatings Market

Alexandre Correa, CEO of Gerdau Graphene, shares his perspective on the past, present, and future of nanomaterials and graphene in the coatings market. Topics include possible improvements in technical performance; overcoming challenges such as scale; potential changes for applicators; and future priorities for the company.

For more information, contact: Gerdau Graphene, www.gerdaugraphene.com

DeFelsko’s Michael Beamish Is Focused on Innovation, Sustainability

DeFelsko Corp., a leading U.S. manufacturer of coating thickness gages and inspection instruments, is a multi-generational, family-owned company that has supplied simple, durable, and accurate instruments to the global coatings industry since 1965. 

Since 2019, Michael Beamish has served as vice president and general manager of the equipment provider. He has degrees in mechanical engineering and law with experience in the design, production, and marketing of these instruments in a variety of international industries, including industrial painting, quality inspection, and manufacturing. 

In July 2023, Beamish began serving on the Board of Directors for the AMPP Global Center. He is also a member of the Editorial Advisory Group (EAG) at CoatingsPro Magazine, a member magazine of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). 

As part of this “member profile” interview, Beamish shares some important lessons learned after spending nearly a decade in leadership positions within the industry. Discussion topics include market trends over that time; why innovation and sustainability are among the industry’s biggest challenges; advice for the next generation of coatings professionals; and how associations like AMPP, NACE International, and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings have helped both his individual career and DeFelsko as a company.

For more information, contact: DeFelsko, (800) 448-3835, www.defelsko.com.

PPG’s Katie Chrobak Drives Digital Adoption in Coatings

Katie Chrobak, associate director of digital adoption for PPG’s architectural coatings business, explains our industry’s challenge of building appropriate digital solutions, tools, and platforms while simultaneously helping painters and professionals adopt those technologies. With a new PPG Paints app, the paints and coatings manufacturer hopes to address those evolving user preferences.

For more information, contact: PPG, (800) 441-9695, pro.ppgpaints.com.

Alan Thomas Takes Reins as AMPP’s New CEO

As of April 2023, Alan Thomas is officially CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), replacing Bob Chalker. 

In this exclusive chat with Ben DuBose, AMPP’s News Editor, Thomas discusses his past career experience and the process leading to his appointment. Other topics include insight on Thomas’ initial priorities as CEO; key takeaways from the recent AMPP Annual Conference + Expo; background on his leadership style and personality; and much more.

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

Contractor Profile: Ryan Amato of Amato Painting

Ryan Amato, owner of Amato Painting and Lehigh Valley Epoxy Floors in Easton, Pa., chats with CoatingsPro Magazine after his company’s third-place win in the 2023 CoatingsPro Contractor Awards. Topics include lessons learned from that job and keys to success, along with insight on industry trends, feedback from the field, and workforce development strategies.

Amato also shares details on his company’s innovative approach to marketing and social media, which dovetails with their emphasis on diligent and detailed communication with clients, vendors, and beyond.

For more information, contact: Amato Painting, (484) 821-7112, www.ryanamatopainting.com.

Member Profile: GPI’s Charles Brown

Charles (Charlie) Brown, deputy director of coatings at Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI), joins CoatingsPro Magazine’s “member profile” series with reflections on nearly 40 years in the industry. Topics include the evolution of coatings and market trends over that time; Brown’s advice for the next generation; and how associations such as AMPP, NACE International, and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings have bolstered his career.

For more information, contact: GPI, www.gpinet.com.

PPG’s John Salvadore on Coatings Development Trends

John Salvadore, director of portfolio management at paints and coatings manufacturer PPG, joins the CoatingsPro Interview Series to discuss trends from the marketplace.

Topics discussed on the newly released podcast include the increasingly multi-functional nature of coatings and their technical properties; how manufacturers are developing new products to comply with sustainability standards; areas in which suppliers and applicators can work together; and feedback from users in the field.

For more information, contact: PPG, (800) 441-9695, www.ppgpaints.com

Sonny Arwood on Challenges and Opportunities in Roof Coatings

Sonny Arwood, president and CEO of Ohio-based Fluid Applied Roofing, chats with CoatingsPro Magazine  regarding key trends and market insights involving the roof coatings industry. With experience working as a contractor, manufacturer, and in growing his own business, Arwood shares useful perspective and lessons learned from his distinguished career in the field.

For more information, contact: Fluid Applied Roofing, www.fluidappliedroofing.com.

Carboline’s Jeremy Sukola on Water, Wastewater and Beyond

Jeremy Sukola, water and wastewater market manager at coatings, linings, and fireproofing manufacturer Carboline, joins our podcast to discuss key industry trends, feedback from the marketplace, and much more.

Discussion topics include lessons learned over Sukola’s distinguished career; education initiatives, technical development, and other resources available from Carboline to address market needs; advice for the next generation of coatings professionals; and how Sukola’s work as a NACE/AMPP education instructor has proven beneficial on many levels.

For more information, contact: Carboline, www.carboline.com.

World Traveler: Phil Fouche Educates Generations of Coatings Professionals

Phil Fouche is the owner and president of oilfield equipment supplier Quatro Products dba REXCO in Odessa, Texas. Now 74 years old, he has been a member of NACE International and now the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) since 1991. 

During those years, Fouche has been active on numerous association boards and committees, including a spot on the NACE/AMPP Coating Inspector Program (CIP) Subcommittee for more than a decade. On the business side, Fouche sold heavy-duty coatings until the sale of his paint stores in 2016. 

Today, Fouche holds an AMPP Senior Certified Coatings Inspector credential and continues to travel the world as a CIP Instructor to help educate the next generation of coatings professionals across numerous countries and continents. 

Over his distinguished career as an educator, Fouche has led that mission—often by teaching the first CIP classes—in locations such as Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dubai, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Mexico, the Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Vietnam, and of course, all over the United States. During that time, Fouche advocated for Spanish and Chinese translations of many course materials and played a key role in that transition. 

As part of our “member profile” series, Fouche recently spoke with us regarding his extensive time in the corrosion control and protective coatings industries, along with some highlights and lessons learned from his decades spent as an education instructor.

Tune in! For more information on the program, visit AMPP’s CIP web page.

Brunno Batista Pushes for Progress in Roof Coatings

Brunno Batista, a worldwide brand ambassador and social media influencer within roof coatings, shares how the industry has evolved over his decades in the business.

Topics discussed on the podcast include challenges and opportunities in the market; where the roofing industry is going in the future; highlights from Batista’s distinguished career; why diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are critical to the industry’s future; and how contractors and vendors can best use social media to their advantage.

For more information, contact: Brunno Batista, www.linkedin.com/in/brunno-batista-89593060.

Keys to Success With Abrasive Blasting

Brandon Acker, president of Titan Abrasive Systems, discusses key criteria for contractors and other users to consider as they evaluate blast media, blasting equipment, and other elements of the blasting process for surface preparation. 

Topics discussed on this podcast include the purpose of abrasive blasting and its real-life applications; the correlation between abrasive blasting and the ultimate success of a coating system; decisions that may need to be made related to blast media, equipment, and safety needs; and much more.

For more information, contact: Titan Abrasive Systems, www.titanabrasive.com.

How Coatings Can Best Protect Vital Energy Infrastructure

Based in Edmonton, Canada, Dr. Harry Tsaprailis is the protective coatings subject matter expert (SME) at energy infrastructure company Enbridge. In this member profile with CoatingsPro Magazine, “Harry T” shares his perspective on important industry priorities entering 2023, along with the role of AMPP in addressing those challenges and enhancing his career growth.

For more information, contact: Enbridge, www.enbridge.com.

How AMPP Is Gearing Up for Its 2023 Flagship Event

The 2023 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo will be held next March in Denver, Colorado, and the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is actively gearing up for its annual flagship event for the corrosion control and protective coatings industries. Greg Muha, director of conferences, exhibits, and sponsorships, tells us about what to expect in Denver and why there will be some noteworthy changes from previous years.

For more information, contact: AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, ace.ampp.org.

Clark Branum on Handling Decorative Concrete

Based near Seattle, Wash., Clark Branum has become one of the most respected voices in the decorative concrete finishing industry as a result of four decades of exemplary work. He currently runs his own contract company, Advanced Concrete Coatings, while also serving as technical director for SUNDEK Products and as a decorative concrete specialist for the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), where he functions as an industry liaison. 

As part of an interview for CoatingsPro Magazine’s Concrete Supplement, which comes out in December 2022, Branum spoke with us about a number of lessons learned from his career and trends in the marketplace. For more information, contact: Advanced Concrete Coatings, (425) 327-5628, www.adv-coatings.com