April 2025, Vol. 252, No. 4
Features
Corrosion Control, Training Take Center Stage in AMPP Chair’s Vision
By Michael Reed, Editor-in-Chief
(P&GJ) — Juan Caballero, a distinguished industrial engineer with over 23 years of experience in protective coatings, corrosion control and asset integrity management, is well-suited for his latest role as the AMPP chairman.
Academically, Cabellero holds dual master’s degrees: one business direction and strategic management, and the other higher education. This rare combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and educational focus has allowed him to build a well-rounded career dedicated to protecting vital assets while elevating industry knowledge.
“For me, corrosion management is not just about protecting assets – it’s about protecting people, investments, and the environment.” Caballero said. “Every pipeline we preserve, every structure we save, is part of building a safer, more sustainable future, and ethics is what guides every step of that process.”
As the managing director of Naval and Industrial Solutions, Juan partners with clients to design and execute corrosion management programs that extend asset life, ensure compliance, and provide measurable return on investment. His work prioritizes sustainable, cost-effective solutions for long-term infrastructure resilience, always grounded in the highest standards of professional ethics to guarantee transparent, responsible and trustworthy practices.
In addition to his technical leadership, Juan is a committed AMPP instructor and academic educator, known for his dedication to advancing the industry through knowledge sharing and professional development. His contributions have been recognized through notable honors, such as the SSPC Richard W. Drisko Education Global Award, the AMPP Global Center Globe Award, and the Recognition of Service in the Establishment of AMPP Award.
Recently, Caballero took time from his hectic schedule to tell P&GJ about the association’s short-term goals, AMPP’s recent growth and training and education programs in corrosion control, as well as other topics.
P&GJ: Can you tell our readers a little about how you initially became involved with AMPP?
Juan Caballero: My first involvement with AMPP stems from the legacy organizations. Early in my career, working in the marine and industrial sectors, I frequently encountered their standards in project specifications. At that time, I saw them primarily as standard-setting bodies rather than member-driven organizations.
About eight years into my career, I took my first certification – the NACE CIP Level 1. That was a turning point, as it opened my eyes to the broader value these organizations provided beyond standards. As I became more engaged, I started attending events, and my first interaction with NACE was as a speaker at an event in Panama. Later, I became involved with SSPC and, along with my colleagues, founded the first SSPC chapter in Latin America.
Our chapter was awarded Best International Chapter in 2018, and my involvement grew. I took on leadership roles at regional and international levels, ultimately serving on the SSPC Board of Governors.
With the merger, I transitioned into leadership at AMPP and now have the honor of serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors. It has been an extraordinary journey that has allowed me to mentor and guide others on how they can contribute to AMPP through volunteerism and leadership.
P&GJ: What are your top priorities as chair for the coming year?
Juan Caballero: My top priority as Chair is to solidify AMPP’s platform for global scalability. Driving results through close collaboration with the CEO Alan Thomas and Board of Directors leadership, we’ve been working to position AMPP for long-term growth and impact.
This year, I want to ensure that we establish a strong foundation for the association to continue expanding internationally. Our focus is on strengthening our global presence while maintaining alignment between our strategic vision, volunteer engagement, and staff execution. This means setting the right structure in place so AMPP can sustain its rapid growth and continue delivering value to its members and end users worldwide.
P&GJ: How has AMPP grown in recent years and has it been a challenge for the organization to keep up with this growth?
Caballero: AMPP has experienced exponential growth – not just financially, but in terms of membership and chapter expansion. In the past year alone, we’ve added approximately 30 new chapters, which reflects our increasing global reach.
A major part of our growth has been driven by intentional efforts to engage with local communities worldwide. We’ve seen more board members and senior staff traveling internationally to attend conferences, meet with local chapters and support regional development initiatives.
With such growth, the challenge becomes ensuring we have the internal infrastructure to support it. Our goal is not just to expand but to do so sustainably. That means investing in the necessary resources – staff, technology, and strategic initiatives – to maintain the high standards of service that our members expect.
P&GJ: Do you see any changes coming in pipeline regulations or the industry itself that will require special attention from AMPP?
Caballero: One of the biggest areas of focus is workforce development. Across industries, there is a growing need for skilled professionals in asset integrity, corrosion prevention, and material protection.
Regulatory policies continue to evolve, particularly regarding asset longevity, sustainability, and environmental impact. These changes will require well-trained professionals to implement and maintain best practices in corrosion control. AMPP is crucial in ensuring our industry has a workforce equipped with the necessary skills to meet these emerging challenges.
P&GJ: What do members view as their biggest challenges over the next five years?
Caballero: Members’ biggest challenge is access – to training, information, and professional development opportunities. While AMPP provides significant resources, ensuring equitable access worldwide remains a hurdle, especially in regions with language, financial, or logistical barriers.
One of our major goals is to expand accessibility to our programs, ensuring members – no matter their location – can benefit from AMPP’s expertise and resources.
P&GJ: Do you feel operators’ companies have stepped up their efforts to protect their facilities and infrastructure from corrosion in recent years?
Caballero: Yes, particularly in the U.S., where global operators are leading the way in strengthening their corrosion prevention efforts. Companies recognize the long-term cost savings and risk mitigation benefits of investing in corrosion control strategies.
This shift is also driven by regulatory pressures and increasing awareness of the risks associated with infrastructure failures. However, there are still regions where these efforts are not as advanced, and AMPP continues to advocate for stronger policies and industry-wide adoption of best practices.
P&GJ: Is AMPP looking to implement any other new services in the near future?
Caballero: AMPP continuously evolves its programs to meet industry needs, expanding training and certification offerings to support corrosion prevention and asset protection professionals. Recent initiatives include the upcoming launch of a fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) course, as well as new and enhanced cathodic protection and fireproofing programs. In addition, AMPP is expanding its accreditation programs, ensuring they align with evolving industry standards and workforce demands.
A key addition to AMPP’s certification portfolio is the Protective Coatings Specialist (PCS) certification, which consolidates legacy SSPC and NACE certification pathways into a unified credential. The PCS certification recognizes professionals responsible for designing and managing coating projects that protect critical assets, the environment, and public safety by preventing corrosion and coating failures.
It also serves as a crucial link between industry stakeholders, including contractors, engineers, asset owners, and specifiers, ensuring a well-equipped workforce that addresses today’s protective coatings challenges. Through these advancements, AMPP continues to strengthen its commitment to industry excellence and workforce development.
P&GJ: How is AMPP progressing in terms of training and recruiting the next generation of technical professionals?
Caballero: We’ve made significant strides in this area. The creation of AMPP’s new philanthropic organization focuses on workforce development and fundraising to support emerging professionals.
Additionally, we are expanding student chapters to increase awareness about corrosion and materials science among young professionals. This initiative helps integrate corrosion education into early career development, ensuring the industry has a pipeline of knowledgeable professionals for the future.
P&GJ: Have your members experienced difficulty in finding enough qualified workers for their projects? Does that differ from region to region?
Caballero: Yes, and the availability of qualified workers varies by region. In developed markets like the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe, strong policies and training programs support a skilled workforce.
However, companies often struggle to find qualified professionals in other regions where formalized corrosion training and certification programs are less common. This gap underscores the importance of AMPP’s global initiatives to bring training and accreditation programs to these underserved areas.
P&GJ: How do the primary concerns of members differ in North America vs. Europe and other regions?
In Europe, there is a strong reliance on ISO standards, and AMPP is still working to establish itself as a leader in training and certification within that framework. To bridge this gap, AMPP is strengthening collaborations with organizations like the European Federation of Corrosion, World Corrosion Organization and other sister societies.
In North America, members’ primary concern is communication – ensuring that leadership and staff are aligned with member needs. While AMPP has been implementing strategies to enhance member engagement, we recognize the need for continuous improvement.
P&GJ: What would you say to someone considering delaying or cutting their budget for corrosion-fighting efforts?
I strongly discourage delaying or cutting investments in corrosion control. While it may seem like a cost-saving measure in the short term, the long-term consequences can be catastrophic – both financially and in terms of human safety and environmental impact.
Corrosion failures lead to infrastructure collapses, environmental contamination, and even loss of life. The fines and liabilities associated with these failures far exceed the cost of proper maintenance and prevention. Investing in corrosion control from the design phase onward ensures asset longevity, safety, and regulatory compliance.
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