March 2012, Vol. 239 No. 3

Features

NAPCA Presidents Letter: Exciting, Busy Times For Pipe Coating Companies

It is truly a very exciting time for NAPCA and our industry. There have been numerous accomplishments over the past few years. Our NAPCA website has totally been revamped. The website is now an authentic technical resource for all of our members to view. Our Board of Directors for the first time has voted to award a scholarship to Kilgore College in the Field of Corrosion Control.

As our industry continues to grow with all the discoveries of shale gas, there will definitely be a big demand for Corrosion Control Specialists. NAPCA is proud to be a part of that growth, and will play a major part in solving the many hurdles and obstacles that will come with the great expansion in the Oil and Gas Industry.

One area we feel we can be a big asset going forward is in the push to get the XL Keystone Pipeline project built. NAPCA and its members need to contact their Legislatures to let them know how crucial this project is to our economy and for the whole country as we wean ourselves away from foreign energy sources.

Not only is this project a huge energy source, it is also a huge employment source. Most estimates have the XL Keystone providing approximate 30,000 jobs, which we know would be an immense boost for our country and our industry.

Other areas our organization can be heard, is to complement other organizations such as INGAA and the National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors. With all of us supporting each other, our Legislators can be sent a resounding voice to get projects like Keystone approved quickly and safely to unleash the American economic engine to secure clean energy for decades to come.

NAPCA has never before been in such financially sound shape. With the stable financial position it gives NAPCA better opportunity for more informative conventions and workshops. The 2012 convention is shaping up to be one of the most informative in recent history.

I would like to take a moment and thank our Managing Director Merritt Chastain III and his wife Catherine for their hard work and dedication to our organization. Also all the other Board Members for their commitment. I want to personally thank Brendan Ryan for his hard work as our President and Board Member over the past years. NAPCA wishes you and your wife Aisling the very best of luck in the future.

With that I look forward to seeing all of you in Tucson, Arizona.