NACE International Podcasts

Kirk Lipes, Global Transportation Segment Director at paints and coatings manufacturer Sherwin-Williams, shares his insight on unique needs and opportunities within the market. Topics include challenges and historical limitations; newer technologies and processes to improve performance; feedback from customers and applicators; collaboration opportunities; and more.

Terry Greenfield, principal consultant at CONSULEX and a past AMPP chairman and past NACE International president, shares insight on AMPP's growing and renewed emphasis on the maritime industry and the critical role of materials protection, particularly in relation to the White House's new shipbuilding initiative. As AMPP's accredited representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Terry explores how AMPP and the industry can proactively address risks before they become costly failures.

Dr. Narasi Sridhar, CEO of MC Consult LLC, is the 2025 recipient of AMPP's prestigious Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award. In this roundtable interview, Dr. Sridhar is joined by Lucrezia Scoppio, Chair of the Awards Program Committee, and Dr. John Scully, Chair of the Whitney Award Task Force. The discussion surrounds the groundbreaking work he's done throughout his distinguished career, ranging from pitting corrosion to computational modeling for corrosion prediction. Scoppio and Dr. Scully also discuss the AMPP Awards Program, its objectives, and the importance of recognizing outstanding contributions in the field of corrosion. Insight into what the task force is looking for in candidates is shared, along with ways in which award winners will be honored at the 2025 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in April.

Dr. Mersedeh Akhoondan is joining the Materials Performance (MP) Magazine team as Technical Editor. In that role, she is replacing Jack Tinnea, who is retiring in April 2025 after a distinguished career. In this position, Akhoondan is responsible for selecting and reviewing MP's technical articles. She will collaborate with authors, members, and the magazine's editorial advisory board to provide readers with timely and accurate technical content. Dr. Akhoondan, an active AMPP member and a corrosion specialist for HDR Engineering, brings over 15 years of experience in corrosion control and condition assessment of water and wastewater facilities, bridge infrastructures, solar power plants, and transit systems.  This 1-on-1 conversation with Ben DuBose, AMPP News Editor, explores her impressive career and outlook for the new position with MP (a member magazine of AMPP).

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) represents 140,000 workers in the finishing trades across the United States and Canada.  In this March 2025 episode, IUPAT's Andrew Croll and Ken Seal share insights on the organization's mission to support and train professionals in the coatings industry; its strategies pertaining to recruiting and retaining workers; emerging technologies and jobsite trends in the industry; and much more.

Gary Gray, a longtime coatings contractor and an executive with Tenor ESOP Partners and ESOP Consulting Group, LLC, says he is seeing considerable momentum toward broad-based employee ownership as a growth tool. With the strategy also representing a tax advantaged exit alternative, Gray explains why he believes the momentum is especially strong in the construction sector.

Terry Greenfield, principal consultant at CONSULEX and a past AMPP chairman and past NACE International president, joins our first podcast of 2025! As AMPP's accredited representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Terry shares insight and perspective from his recent industry travels — including valuable feedback from the field and opportunities to collaborate and potentially solve many corrosion-related challenges.

Russell Raad, president of “one-stop shop” Abrasives Inc., recently joined a sponsored episode of the CoatingsPro Interview Series with insight on his company's unique specialties and market position. Discussion topics include marketplace trends, changes, and regulatory impacts; unique challenges to the surface preparation of industrial coatings jobs; strategies to incorporate feedback from contractors and end users; an outlook for the future; and available resources from Abrasives Inc. to assist in these processes.

Kaveh Meghdadpour, Director of National Accounts and Business Development and the East Region Manager at Crown Polymers, joins this sponsored episode of the CoatingsPro Interview Series. Discussion topics include industry trends and pain points within floor coatings; successful case studies using Crown solutions; the importance of manufacturers and contractors working together; and strategies to address potential industry concerns in the years ahead, such as workforce development.

Kyle McDonald, Project Manager at Western Specialty Contractors in Delray Beach, Florida, recently joined the CoatingsPro Interview Series with insights pertaining to his job scope and beyond. Discussion topics include standout projects from his time at Western; unique coating factors to consider with concrete substrates and his regional market; industry trends related to technologies, materials, equipment, and workforce development; and much more.

Greg Mulholland, founder and CEO of Citrine Informatics, shares his perspective on how artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly affecting the coatings industry and others linked to materials protection and performance. Discussion topics include development processes influenced by AI; feedback from industrial users; strategies for using AI to adapt to industry trends and new regulations; what the future evolution of AI may look like; and available resources to learn more.

Jennifer Rogers, Senior Director of Education, shares the latest intel regarding AMPP's newest educational program, Cathodic Protection (CP) Field Techniques. The two-day, immersive course introduces personnel to essential corrosion testing methods and real-world field techniques. In this interview, Rogers explains the background and development process of the course; how it incorporates member collaboration and feedback; and ways in which it overcomes historical limitations while meeting modern needs.

HZO Inc. is a provider of conformal coatings solutions for electronics and other products made for a variety of markets ranging from consumer electronics, medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, and more. In this sponsored episode, Sean Clancy, Ph.D.—Senior Director of Materials Science at HZO—shares industry insights gained from many years of performing root-cause failure analysis in these products and markets.

Kern Williams, Government Affairs Manager at AMPP, joins this week's podcast with insight on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) newly issued final rule pertaining to Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Topics include background information on the lead pipes replacement plan and how it is tied to corrosion control and materials protection; educational resources available to help members and member companies get involved in the process; a potential timeline for implementation; and other topics on AMPP's agenda in the weeks following the Nov. 5 election. For more information, visit AMPP's Government Affairs web page.

U.S. Navy Veteran Matt Flory is a global business director at Sherwin-Williams, where he leads the industrial group's military coatings segment. With a team comprised largely of Veterans, Flory shares perspective on what they bring to the coatings industry and the role they can play in overcoming workforce development challenges. For the military market, Flory also outlines recent technological innovations such as chemical agent resistant coatings (CARC); anti-microbial solutions; enhanced corrosion primers; and more.

Mike Aughenbaugh, associate target market manager at Swagelok Company, is focused on the development of fluid handling solutions for the oil, gas, chemical, and refining markets. In this sponsored episode, Aughenbaugh explains many of the differences between pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion, as well strategies to remediate corrosion, prevent corrosion, and educate system operators about what to watch for.

Winston Revie, an associate editor for CORROSION journal, leads a summer 2024 roundtable to discuss a newly released two-part paper series based on research from three labs around the world. The seven authors are Negar Moradighadi; Huiru Wang; Luntao Wang; Antoine Seyeux; Alain Pailleret; Philippe Marcus; Srdjan Nesic. Both papers are available at www.corrosionjournal.org. Editor's note: This roundtable can also be viewed on YouTube with streaming video of all panelists.

Jamey Hilleary, remote monitoring product manager at Lindsay, shares his perspective on communication and data access tools for industrial users. Discussion topics in this sponsored episode include the process of taking data from field units to end users; strategies to ensure data security; the future of communication monitoring technologies; and much more.

Rebecca Bickham, Editor-in-Chief of Materials Performance (MP) Magazine, joins News Editor Ben DuBose to discuss MP's upcoming 2025 Corrosion Innovation of the Year Awards program. Topics include the importance of the looming September 15 nomination deadline; strategies to succeed with the judging panel; perks for award winners; and much more.

Will Maize, Director of Product Management at MOBILTEX, shares insight on the past, present, and future of data analytics for the cathodic protection (CP) market. Topics in this sponsored episode include the company's latest research into new approaches to understand groundbed deterioration in impressed current systems and to predict end-of-life scenarios. The show also explores the impact of emerging regulations and environmental trends in North America and beyond.

Winn Darden, North American business manager for LUMIFLON fluoropolymer resins, shares his perspective on key decision-making processes pertaining to paints and coatings. This sponsored show explores how experts can develop strategic planning approaches that best adapt to current structural and future market demands. Discussion topics include the details of LUMIFLON and how it works in tandem with coatings; industry trends and feedback from the market segments it plays in; the role of new and emerging technologies; and educational resources available to assist in these challenges.

Engineers Aleese Post and Casey Whalen (CSNRI) explain why composites give pipeline facility operators an often overlooked tool for fighting corrosion. Composites can provide a permanent and strong repair, as well as minimize future needed maintenance.

Jeff Jirak, managing director of AkzoNobel's global powder coatings business, explains how new coating technologies are helping to mitigate corrosion in the built environment. The show also explores the manufacturer's recent development partnership with CoatingAI, which aims to assist contractors and installers with application processes while reducing their carbon footprint. Related links: U.S. EPA's Green Power Partners, Interpon, AkzoNobel on LinkedIn

While at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in New Orleans, our AMPP Publications team interviewed a series of experts regarding new products, services, and technologies in the industry. Subjects in this Materials Performance (MP) Magazine series of sponsored Exhibitor Spotlight interviews include Eddyfi Technologies, mPACT2WO, GPT Industries, American Innovations, Johns Manville, ROCKWOOL, and Abriox.

The Master Painters Institute (MPI) recently introduced its newest solutions to streamline the process of specifying coatings. As part of this effort, MPI Decision Tree Tools offers a digital interactive guide prompting users to select the most suitable system and products for their commercial and architectural projects, whether for new construction or restorative/repair works. Pam Nicoletti, president of MPI, explains how these tools encompass all project variables while significantly reducing manual efforts.

Sam Scaturro, President of New Jersey-based Alpine Painting & Sandblasting Contractors, shares his insight on industry trends and career highlights after nearly two decades of success.  Discussion topics include the process of buying his family business and its transformation over the years; emerging trends in the marketplace; optimal strategies for workforce development; and highlights from his time as an association member leader, including a stint as Chair of the AMPP Board of Directors in 2022.

In a recently published white paper, experts at Induron examined the expected service life of coatings for potable water linings while combining that knowledge with an interpretation of the total applied costs of these systems. On this podcast, Induron's William “Bill” Seawell, technical service manager, and Andy Odorzynski, national sales manager, elaborate on expectations for water tank primers (both zinc and epoxy); how corrosion processes work; and the most important properties a water tank primer should have. Founded in 1947 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, Induron produces high-performance coatings to serve a wide range of industrial applications. These applications include industries such as wastewater, electrical transmission and distribution, and potable water storage and treatment.

While at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in New Orleans, our AMPP Publications team interviewed a series of experts regarding new products, services, and technologies in the industry. Subjects in this series of sponsored Exhibitor Spotlight interviews include Rust-Oleum, Eddyfi Technologies, mPACT2WO, and BrandSafway.

This sponsored episode features Ian Kinnear, product manager at GPT Industries, and Gabriel “Gabe” Gonzales, senior research and development engineer. As part of a roundtable discussion, Kinnear and Gonzales explore the company's continued development of remote pipeline monitoring technologies and how GPT's IsoSmart solution can monitor critical parameters. The guests also share their perspectives regarding the future of integrity monitoring.

Amir Eliezer, Immediate Past Chair of the AMPP Board of Directors, explains his leadership journey within the association and his current role leading the transition team to merge the AMPP Board and the AMPP Global Center Board. Discussion topics include the merger's implications for members and the industry; updates on the ongoing process and opportunities to get involved; key takeaways from the recently completed 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo; and much more. With a “stronger together” vision, AMPP is always welcoming new users and members, and we are grateful for our talented volunteers and staff.

Dr. Ingrid Milosev, with the Jožef Stefan Institute, and Dr. John Scully, with University of Virginia, join our CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss sustainability. It's the topic of their recent open-access perspective, “Challenges for the Corrosion Science, Engineering, and Technology Community as a Consequence of Growing Demand and Consumption of Materials: A Sustainability Issue.” This episode explains how corrosion factors into the global sustainability discussion. Topics include the carbon footprint of corrosion, such as the impact of replacing corroded parts as well as the impact of corrosion mitigation and prevention methods; the implications of increased use of metals in green energy applications and in electronics; and areas where the corrosion community can make an impact. For more information about sustainability and their article, contact Ingrid Milošev and John Scully.

In a panel discussion, member leaders Dawn Eden and Sandy Williamson join Ben DuBose, News Editor with AMPP Publications, to explore the association's latest efforts and intel related to materials sustainability. Topics include what's new within AMPP's Sustainability Task Force; key takeaways and insights from the recently completed 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo; and what they see on the horizon as AMPP ramps up its global outreach around this fast-paced growth topic.

In a roundtable featuring representatives from AMPP's member leaders and staff, Kimberly-Joy Harris, Elaine Bowman, and Tim Gonzalez share their perspectives on the importance of participating in AMPP's annual Advocacy Day (set for May 15-16, 2024). Discussion topics include tips to effectively advocate for the materials protection industry; how advocating at the government level can impact our field; specific pieces of U.S. legislation that AMPP is focused on this year; and recent additions to the advocacy campaign, such as the Corrosion and Coatings Political Action Committee (PAC) and the new International Advocacy Program. For more information, visit the AMPP Advocacy Day web page.

In a roundtable discussion regarding biomedical corrosion, Dr. Jeremy Gilbert and Dr. Silvia Ceré join CORROSION journal for the third episode of a special series studying corrosion and health. This episode explores different metals used in the body and the ways they are used. The impact of corrosion on implants; challenges studying implants in the body; recent advancements in the field; and areas for future exploration are also discussed. For more information about this topic, contact Silvia Ceré and Jeremy Gilbert.

Ryan Bingham, business development leader at third-party inspection services provider OMC International, LLC, shares his insight regarding the value that qualified coating inspectors can have within the industry. Discussion topics include trends and common pain points from clients; how technologies and demands continue to evolve; the unique career arc of Bingham and the company; and areas where AMPP can help companies such as OMC achieve their goals while serving the association's broader mission.

Chris O'Brien, founder and president of Polymer Nation, and Michael Douglass, technical director, join this sponsored episode with insight on the evolution of coatings technologies. Topics include areas of growth and concern in the industry; common challenges that need to be overcome; which technologies could make the biggest jump in the years ahead; and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their business and the industry's future.

In a discussion regarding the antimicrobial properties of metals, Dr. Harold Michels and Dr. John Scully join CORROSION journal for the second episode of a special series exploring corrosion and health. Focusing on copper and silver, topics include how the antimicrobial properties work, how they have been harnessed over the years, and some of the ways they can be used to prevent the spread of the disease. For more information about this topic, contact Harold Michels and John Scully.

Gregory Muha, Director of Conferences, Exhibits, and Sponsorships, joins our interview series with answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. Held from March 3-7 in New Orleans, discussion topics include what members can expect at the show; highlights of the 2024 schedule; feedback-based changes from previous years; and how the latest version of the conference serves the needs of AMPP members and the broader industry.

Dr. Sanna Virtanen, Chair of Surface Science and Corrosion in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Germany's Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, is the 2024 recipient of AMPP's prestigious Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award. In this roundtable conversation also featuring Raul Rebak of GE Global Research and Dr. John Scully of the University of Virginia, Dr. Virtanen shares highlights from her distinguished career and lessons learned for the next generation, along with insight on what the Whitney Award means to her career. Rebak and Dr. Scully — who currently serve as AMPP's Program Committee Chair and Task Force Chair, respectively — add perspective on the AMPP Awards process and the ways in which winners will be honored and celebrated at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in March.

Dr. Gerald Frankel and Dr. Yolanda Hedberg join CORROSION journal for the first episode in a special series exploring corrosion and health to discuss metals and coatings with toxic effects on the body. This episode explores some of the metals, materials, and chemicals that have negative impacts on the body, such as chromates, preservatives in water-based paints, BPA, and more, along with some of the challenges in replacing these materials. For more information about this topic, contact Gerald Frankel and Yolanda Hedberg.  

As part of a new task force, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is bringing together stakeholders from a variety of roles to better understand the relationship that corrosion engineering systems have within the infrastructure insurance industry. In this conversation, members involved with that task force—GPI's Tony Serdenes, Nick Kuntz of Alliant Insurance Services, and David A. Scotti of Scotti Law Group—share their perspectives on challenges and best practices that could benefit those involved in designing, specifying, supplying, and performing those services, specifically as they relate to insurance and risk management. The roundtable discussion also explores various paths that AMPP can take to address those challenges, as well as ways in which our industry can work together to develop best practices for risk management and insurance needs.

On April 30 and May 1 in Houston, AMPP is welcoming members and guests throughout the industry to the first Coatings for Non-Coating Inspectors conference. Jorge T. Reyna, conference chair and a certified inspector (JRSA Inspections) and instructor, explains the many benefits for attendees and how it all came to be. Topics discussed include key challenges that non-coating inspectors often face; why a better understanding of coatings can enhance the overall effectiveness of non-coating inspectors; areas in which their roles are changing; and strategies to bridge the gap between traditional inspection practices and the specialized knowledge required to understand coatings.

When considering remote monitoring units (RMUs) for pipeline integrity monitoring, one of the biggest decisions is whether to select an RMU system that uses cellular technology to transmit data, or to purchase units that send data via satellites. Polly Stewart, head of marketing and legal insight at Abriox, joins this sponsored Materials Performance (MP) podcast to discuss how both platforms work; what users need to consider when selecting cellular or satellite-based RMUs; and which, as a technical engineering expert, Abriox prefers.

This roundtable panel features Alan Thomas, CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP); Dr. Rick Polanin, past president of the American Welding Society (AWS); and Ricky Morgan, past president of The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). Topics include the current state of workforce development, as well as common challenges encountered, innovative solutions, and initiatives where these associations can work together. Other discussion points are recent technological advancements within those industries; lessons learned from each panelist's career journey; and the role of diversity and inclusion in building the workforce of the future.

Dr. Jason Lee, with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and Dr. Susmitha Kotu, with DNV, join our CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). This episode explains what MIC is and which industries it affects, challenges in predicting and mitigating MIC, new advancements in the field, and areas that need future research.

Future-focused integrity and corrosion mitigation program directors are recognizing many operational challenges that the future may hold. In turn, they are looking to IIoT companies like MOBILTEX to deliver both cutting-edge field hardware, as well as advanced cloud-based software capabilities (with the necessary security), to address these challenges—all while simultaneously improving their system performance. Will Maize, Director of Product Management and Corporate Strategy at MOBILTEX, recently spoke with Materials Performance (MP) Magazine about the meaning of strategic cathodic protection (CP) automation and why it could be a key solution. Other points of discussion include how IIoT technology has evolved in recent years; strategies to bring the future into the present; and current focal points for the industry.

Dave Evans, director of business development at AMPP, explains what the newly released Industrial Coating Application (ICA) program could mean for members and the industry at large. Topics include how and why the new program was developed; updated features and opportunities to address current marketplace needs; and how it could help shape AMPP's future education and training offerings.

Job Coenen, AkzoNobel's sustainability program manager and a strategic global corporate advisory board member of the World Green Building Council, tells CoatingsPro Magazine how sustainable solutions for the built environment can combat the challenges of producing more green buildings. Discussion topics include the role of circularity in product development; science-based targets and goals; and how new technologies can help the cause.

Drs. Doug Hansen (University of Dayton) and Raghu Srinivasan (University of Alaska) join our CORROSION journal podcast series to celebrate International Open Access Week 2023. The episode includes a roundtable discussion about why research and sharing findings is important within the industry, as well as some information about AMPP's research program.

In a panel discussion, AMPP members Cal Chapman (Chapman Engineering) and Sandy Williamson (Williamson Integrity Services) join Materials Performance (MP) Editor Kerry Cole to explain what sustainability means to them and why it is critically important to our industry. Topics include how sustainability is already being practiced and its impact on business; trends and new technologies to watch for; and expectations for the future. The conversation also explores initiatives and opportunities to get involved at an association level, such as AMPP's Sustainability Task Force; a technical community of interest (TCI) on materials sustainability; and a Sustainability Symposium and Expert Panel session at the AMPP 2024 Annual Conference + Expo next March.

In celebration of Peer Review Week 2023, Drs. Oumaïma Gharbi, with Sorbonne Universite, and Dave Kolman, with Los Alamos National Laboratories, join the CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss the importance of peer review. The episode includes a discussion of what makes for a good review; advice for reviewers; and an outlook on the future of peer review.