CoatingsPro Interview Series

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...

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 opportunitie...

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 inform...

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 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; com...

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 safet...

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 m...

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...

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...

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 A...

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.

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.

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...

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.

Kamal Taher, Director of Global Operations at AMPP , joins our podcast to explain how his department is helping members and customers around the world adjust to the combination of NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings. Topics include common questions and feedback from members in different world regions; priorities in blending NIICAP and SSPC QP contractor accreditation p...

Tony Serdenes, National Coatings Director at Gannett Fleming, has been in the bridge coatings industry since the ‘80s. As a provider of consulting services to Gannett’s inspectors and clients in the bridge and water/wastewater industries, he brings words of wisdom that can help with communication from all project stakeholders—from inspectors to contractors, of which he used to be one. For more inf...

Gary Harvey is general manager of Wedge Roofing, a California-based company that has earned recognition at the CoatingsPro Contractor Awards for five straight years. In this episode, he discusses many of the keys to success for Wedge over his 25 years with the company, headlined by their most recent award-winning project (Mariners Landing). Other topics include environmental trends and becoming a...

Henry Staggs, roofing consultant with Preferred Roof Consultants of Arizona and Founder of the School of Roofing , wants to help the roofing community through safer practices, skilled labor, and more. He shares his ideas and how he’s working to make it happen through the School of Roofing — something his grandfather would be proud of! For more information, contact: Henry Staggs, theschoolofroofing...

Lesley Martinez, Manager of Conferences at AMPP , joins our podcast to recap the recently completed CORROSION 2021 Virtual Conference & Expo. Martinez shares highlights from the show and lessons learned from the virtual experience, along with a preview of the upcoming transition to in-person events. She also offers an early look at the Coatings+ 2021 show and the first AMPP Annual Conference + Exp...

Anthony Maracic, Vice President of Northeast Operations at Champion Painting Specialty Services Corp. ( CPSSC ), explains lessons learned from his company's recent project recoating the Tribeca Bridge in New York City (as featured in this CoatingsPro Magazine  case study ).   Maracic also shares highlights from his 40 years in the protective coatings industry, as well as tips and tricks for the ne...

Stella Amador joined German Duarte’s Florida Quality Roofing nearly 10 years ago. Over the past decade, the lifelong friends have created a partnership that has found success in south Florida by building relationships, giving back to their community, and doing what they say they’re going to do. Amador’s tips, tricks, and take on the roofing industry are worth a listen! You can also check out our m...

Danos, Graco, and Tesla NanoCoatings recently worked together to develop a functional non-slip deck coating for offshore clients. Their work, which was  profiled  in Materials Performance (MP) magazine, explains how a coatings applicator was able to overcome many traditional challenges through the use of an innovative protective coatings pump design with a new single-coat carbon nanotube non-slip...

Kimberley Robles, president and owner of Robles Concrete Design, joins the podcast to discuss about her experiences in coming up through the trades as a journeyman. Based on those experiences, she has some great insight on how the industry might be able to attract — and keep — quality people to help decrease the labor shortage. She also shares some challenges and opportunities she’s seen within th...

Ross Boyd, founder and CEO of  TruQC , joins our podcast to discuss the growing role of digitalization in the coatings industry. Topics include why it matters and how to start; tips to ensure a successful initiative; common questions and feedback from industry users; and much more.  For more information, check out his recent CoatingsPro article titled " Digitalization for the Coatings Industry ."

Kyle Hough, executive vice president for Champion Painting Specialty Services Corp. (CPSSC), explains how the company is achieving success in the industrial coating sector. There’s no secret sauce, but CPSSC is making sure to focus on its most valuable access: its people. For more information, contact Champion on LinkedIn .