AMPP Interview Series

This “Chapter Takeover” series was created to strengthen connections across Latin America, provide a platform for Spanish-speaking members, and highlight the valuable work happening within AMPP’s regional chapters. In this episode, Luis Montoya explores how advanced ultrasonic techniques are used to detect and monitor corrosion in the mining industry, thereby helping to improve safety and asset re...

Matthew Rowland, CEO of BlastOne International , spoke with AMPP Media in an exclusive interview from the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in Houston. Topics include the company’s consistent focus on corrosion management and innovation, including a new Performance 3 awards program to recognize improvements in project efficiency. Looking ahead, Rowland is already working on ambitious plans to acc...

This “Chapter Takeover” series was created to strengthen connections across Latin America, provide a platform for Spanish-speaking members, and highlight the valuable work happening within AMPP’s regional chapters. In this episode (sponsored by Becc Protective & Marine Coatings  and  Omnitronic S.A. ), Benjamín De León discusses why education is essential in the corrosion field. He highlights...

This “Chapter Takeover” series was created to strengthen connections across Latin America, provide a platform for Spanish-speaking members, and highlight the valuable work happening within AMPP’s regional chapters. In this episode, Paola Postigo shares her career journey in cathodic protection. This ranges from her experience in Bolivia to her current role in France highlighting key projects, cert...

Tim Fisher and Brendan Demler, co-presidents of  Canadian Industries Limited (CIL) , recently joined the CoatingsPro Interview Series to dissect many of the changes within their business and the broader industry. Discussion topics include product launches, store openings, and research and innovation trends in Canada, as well as other items on the horizon for the Canadian paints and coatings market...

This “Chapter Takeover” series was created to strengthen connections across Latin America, provide a platform for Spanish-speaking members, and highlight the valuable work happening within AMPP’s regional chapters. In this episode (sponsored by SERINCO ), Alonso Barrón discusses the role of nondestructive testing (NDT) in identifying leaks and corrosion in the oil and gas industry. He highlights k...

In this interview from the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, Pam Nicoletti — president of the  Master Painters Institute (MPI) , an AMPP subsidiary — shares updates on MPI’s expansion into industrial testing and its recognition ( MPI Champion Awards ) of paint manufacturers and specialists. Future priorities for the organization include the development of additional industrial standards; promoti...

Hosted in Spanish, the “Chapter Takeover” series was created to strengthen connections across Latin America, provide a platform for Spanish-speaking members, and highlight the valuable work happening within AMPP’s regional chapters. In this episode (presented by DeFelsko ), Arturo Escobedo discusses the use of inspection instruments for coatings and corrosion in structural applications. He shares...

Mersedeh Akhoondan , technical editor of Materials Performance (MP) and senior corrosion engineer at HDR , discusses her unique role with the magazine and her career background in the corrosion control industry. In this interview from the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, Akhoondan reflects on the growing presence of municipal water and wastewater professionals and advanced robotics and artifici...

Held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the AMPP Eastern Conference (October 19-21, 2026) will place a spotlight on pipeline integrity while addressing challenges such as aging assets, increasing electrical loads, regulatory pressures, and workforce shortages. In this episode, member leaders Greg Alexander and Tish Edmondson are joined by AMPP’s Tim Gonzalez and Greg Muha to preview the show. The ev...

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-wo...

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...

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 initiat...

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...

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...

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 tog...

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 mark...

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 fo...

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 th...

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, no...

Dr. Nick Birbilis , FNACE, is Executive Dean of the science, engineering and built environment faculty at Australia’s Deakin University. In his 20+ year career to date, Birbilis has worked in corrosion fields including monitoring, remediation, life prediction, asset design, durability management planning, and the development of corrosion-resistant materials. He has led large research teams and bri...

In the first week of February 2026, AMPP is hosting its inaugural Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum in Virginia Beach, Virginia. To preview the event and share insights into industry trends, AMPP is catching up with key sponsors and industry leaders. In the aftermath of last week’s five-person panel , this week’s edition features Matt Dowden of Av-DEC, Courtney Culpepper of Courtney Culpepper Con...

The Association for Materials Protection and Performance ( AMPP ) is now five years old! To celebrate and reflect on that journey, D. Terry Greenfield — principal consultant at CONSULEX and previously an AMPP chairman and NACE International president — kicks off our “Then and Now” anniversary series. Discussion topics include AMPP’s origins as a combination of its legacy organizations (NACE and SS...

On February 3-4, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, AMPP is hosting its inaugural Maritime Coatings Contractor Forum . To reflect and share insight on the latest industry trends, this panel discussion features AMPP’s Jennifer Merck and Ben DuBose alongside several prominent event sponsors. Speakers include Jim Hartley of PPG; Robert Dahlstrom of Apellix; Joe McGreal of Ervin Industries; and Russel...

This December 2025 roundtable conversation with leaders from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades ( IUPAT ) explores the vital role of certifications in industrial painting, as well as areas in which a trained and certified workforce can boost the coatings industry. Topics on this sponsored episode include modern project requirements, certifications, and the industry’s future; QP...