2023 Award Recipients

Service and Technical Awards

Russell Brannon & John Keane Signature Award

Recipient: Debra Boisvert
Target Products Ltd, Burnaby, Canada
For her outstanding service, dedication, and leadership for over 30 years as she contributed to the development, advancement, and promotion of AMPP’s strategies for the corrosion and coatings industry.

Debra Bolsvert

Debra Boisvert is a highly respected and accomplished professional who has dedicated more than three decades of her life to the AMPP community. She began her journey in 1990, and since then, she has continuously served the association with unwavering commitment and dedication. Her passion for the NACE Foundation of Canada led her to serve as a Director and later as the President. During her tenure, she initiated Scholarships that have helped numerous young professionals achieve their academic and professional goals. She has also chaired the NACE Audit Committee, ensuring transparency and accountability in the organization's financial matters. In addition to her contributions to the NACE Foundation of Canada, Boisvert has made significant contributions to the AMPP community as well. She chaired the AMPP MPC, served on policy, and chaired NA Conferences. Debra has also served as an International Director, providing her expertise to global chapters. served as the SSPC Chair of the BC Yukon Chapter, where she played a crucial role in promoting the organization's mission and values.

Joyce Wright Industry Impact Award

Recipient: Dawn Eden
Hempel Paints, Conroe, Texas, USA
For committing her lifelong career to the corrosion industry, she should be recognized for her efforts and her role in leading the way for others.

Dawn Eden

Ms. Eden’s career in corrosion monitoring, cathodic protection and coatings has afforded her opportunity to enable many volunteers through mentoring.

For over 30 years, she has contributed to the Association’s conferences progressively as an author, presenter, paper reviewer, Symposium Chair and Annual Conference Program Committee Associate, while also serving as a volunteer leader on the Technical Program as a Task Group Chair for standards development. Recently she has worked as Vice Chair for the Technical Coordination (NACE) and Technical Program (AMPP) Committees.

Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award

Recipient: Vilupanur A. Ravi
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA
For his outstanding and innovative contributions to high temperature materials and coatings, and high temperature corrosion.

Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award

Dr. Vilupanur A. Ravi is a professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is being recognized for his outstanding and innovative contributions to high temperature materials and coatings, and high temperature corrosion. In a career spanning more than three decades in academia and industrial R&D, his research and inventive contributions have been in the areas of materials processing, high temperature materials and protective coatings, high temperature corrosion, corrosion in molten salts, and biocorrosion.

Oliver Moghissi Asset Integrity Management Award

Recipient: Dr. Samir Degan
Osnar Chemical Private Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
For ensuring the recognition and importance of protecting society, assets and the environment thru the use of business-oriented corrosion management systems for both governmental and non-governmental asset owners and influencers.

Dr. Samir Degan

Dr. Samir Degan, Managing Director at Osnar Companies, Mumbai, has served as President of the NACE International Board of Directors for the 2017-2018 term. In his 27 plus years as a NACE / AMPP, Dr. Degan has actively served in multiple leadership positions locally, nationally, and internationally. He currently is the Vice Chair of the Board Committee for Advocacy and Public Affairs. He has chaired the CORCON conferences in India and has led many successful initiatives culminating in the release of the IMPACT India Study, a Cost of Corrosion study for India. Through the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India and the US Commercial Services Mumbai, Department of Commerce USA, several successful initiatives were carried out in the 2013 to 2019 time period. Currently, initiatives with the US Consulate General Mumbai and Naval Materials Research Laboratory, Ministry of Defense, GoI, are leading to new opportunities for AMPPs advocacy, products and services.

Educator Award

Recipient in honor of Herbert Uhlig:  Jenifer Locke
The Ohio State University, OH, USA
For outstanding classroom teaching and mentorship of students in corrosion and materials science.

Jenifer Locke

Jenifer Locke is an Assistant Professor in the Fontana Corrosion Center within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The Ohio State University. She has been at OSU since Jan 2015. Prior to OSU, she worked at the Alcoa Technical Center. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in 2010 and her B.A. from Wittenberg University in 2004.

Recipient in honor of Richard Drisko: David A. Hunter
CUI, High Heat & Insulation Coatings at Hempel A/S, Houston, Texas, USA
For his outstanding ability to teach all levels of students, novice and experienced alike and for being a leader in educating others in the coating industry both domestic and internationally. 

David A. Hunter

David Hunter is the Segment Development Manager for Hempel USA. His education includes holding a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech, as well as many AMPP certifications including AMPP Senior Coatings Inspector (CIP-3), Offshore Corrosion Assessment Technician, Concrete Coating Inspector, Fireproofing Inspector as well as both NACE & SSPC Protective Coatings Specialist certifications. As a 25-year NACE / AMPP member, and an award-winning author, he is being recognized for his 16 years of AMPP Education department contributions across thirteen courses in 20 countries, in support both AMPP education mission and overall coatings industry knowledge.

Publications Award

Recipient: Robert E. Melchers  
University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
The 2023 Publication Awards recipient published in CORROSION was Robert E. Melchers for “Long-Term Immersion Corrosion of Irons and Steel in Seawaters with Calcareous DepositionCorrosion 77, 5 [2021]: p. 526-539)

Robert E. Melchers

Dr. Robert E. Melchers is a structural engineer who has specialized in corrosion and risk analysis of major infrastructure, including steel and reinforced concrete. He has been Professor of Civil Engineering at The University of Newcastle, Australia for nearly 40 years, twice appointed Australian Research Council Professiorial Fellow, holds a BE and MEngSc from Monash University, Australia and a PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK. He has published several books including th best-selling Structural Reliability Analysis and Prediction now in its 3rd edition, published more than 370 refereed journal papers, given many keynote talks at conferences and on-line.

The 2023 Publication Awards recipients published in Materials Performance were Mr. Ahmand Raza Khan Rana and Zoheir Farhat for “Graphene - An Upgrader for Fragile Ni-P Coatings” (Materials Performance 60, 1 [2021]: p. 34-38)

Recipients:

Mr. Ahmad Raza Khan Rana
Integrity Products & Supplies Inc., Alberta, Canada

Ahmad Raza Khan Rana

Along with MASc Degree in materials engineering, Ahmad has 40+ publications as peer-reviewed journal papers, magazine articles, and conference papers. Ahmad's research focus has been on corrosion, wear, thin-film coatings, epoxy coatings, and risk-based inspection (RBI). Currently, Ahmad is working with Integrity Products & Supplies Inc. Canada as Technical Director leading the R&D portfolio of CUI and SCC management solutions.

Zoheir Farhat
Dalhousie University Halifax, NS – Canada

Zoheir Farhat

Dr. Zoheir Farhat, a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS Canada, has devoted three decades to the field of advanced materials and coatings. His illustrious career in education and research is a testament to his unwavering passion for advancing knowledge and innovation. As a leading authority in the degradation of advanced materials, Dr. Farhat has published over 200 influential journal papers and conference contributions, which have greatly enhanced the understanding of this field.

Fellow Honor

Recipients:

Conchita Mendez
ExxonMobil, Houston, TX, USA
For her distinguished technical leadership and mentorship, developing key standards and science-based materials protection and performance tools and dissemination.

Feng Gui
Det Norske Veritas, Dublin, OH, USA
For his contribution to the oil and gas industry to develop sour service fracture mechanics knowledge for offshore pipeline design.

Fritz Friedersdorf
Luna Labs USA, LLC, Charlottesville, VA, USA
For understanding of atmospheric corrosion processes and development of novel monitoring technologies to manage atmospheric corrosion.

Hervé Marchebois
TotalEnergies SE, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
For his vast experience and knowledge to help improving the industry.

Jeffrey Didas
Kinder Morgan,Inc,  Tucson, Arizona
To recognize his considerable understanding, expertise and ability to disseminate information in the area of cathodic protection and coatings for corrosion control.

Qiwei Wang
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia 
For his distinguished contributions in technology development, significant role in knowledge dissemination, and sustained effrots on mentoring

Richard Eckert
Microbial Corrosion Consulting, LLC, Commerce, Michigan, USA 
For his leadership within the corrosion community for (MIC) Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion and improvements to pipeline safety.

Supratik Roychowdhury
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
For his research on stress corrosion cracking, flow accelerated corrosion, solving material issues for industry and spreading corrosion awareness.

Early Career Excellence Award

Recipients:

Ajay Krishnan M
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
For his exemplary contribution in understanding and advancing the knowledge of environmental degradation issues prevalent in High Strength Aluminum alloys leading to an invention that is not only of scientific interest but also of high technological relevance at the industrial level.

Brendy Rincon Troconis
University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas, USA
For  her commitment to the advancement of materials protection and corrosion control research and for establishing herself as an inspiring educator and outstanding research leader in corrosion at a minority-serving university.

Elaine Bowman Distinguished Service Award

Recipients:

Amer Jarragh
Kuwait Oil Company, Kuwait
For his leadership and commitment to the growth of AMPP Chapter and its activities not just in Kuwait but also globally. 

Brooke Divan
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Urbana-Champaign Area, USA
For exemplary definition of service through her continuous leadership in AMPP committees, technical
communities, and mentorship.

Daniel Wagner
Mears Group, Rosebush, Michigan, USA
For his expertise and delivered standard integrity to AMPP and to the industry.

Manoj Mishra
AMPP India Chapter, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
For his excellence in reorganization & contribution for the promotion of corrosion awareness in India and worldwide. 

Muhsen A.M. Elhaddad
Qatargas Operating Company Limited, Doha, Qatar
For his outstanding contribution and leadership in advancing of corrosion control strategies and standardization within societies.

Roberto Morana
BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, Richmond, England, United Kingdom
In consideration of his contributions to the understanding of the HIC failure mechanism for CRA and his commitment to the AMPP organization.

Dr. Robin Douglas Tems
Hollybeach Corrosion Management, Denver , CO, USA
For his contribution to NACE/AMPP for over 40 years in conference leadership, technical committees, and promoting professional certification.

Stephen Ngai
Portland Water Bureau, Portland, Oregon, USA
For organizing symposia and outstanding leadership in the Portland Chapter that increased corrosion knowledge and visibility in Oregon. 

Oladis Troconis de Rincón Field Applied Technology Award

Recipients:

Andrés Antonio Torres-Acosta
Tecnologico de Monterrey, Querétaro, Mexico
For his awareness on how to achieve concrete infrastructure sustainable/durable based on the scientific research and technological innovations to get adequate

Pedro Castro Borges
Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN Unidad Mérida, Mexico
For his achievements to apply and disseminate the corrosion engineering and scientific principles to the protection and preservation of Latin-American

Sergei A. Shipilov
FIRST-M Consulting Ltd., Toronto, Ont., Canada
For achievements in applying engineering and scientific principles to protecting and preserving the U.S. Army’s double V-hull Stryker combat vehicles.

Sten Axelsen
Equinor, Rogaland, Norway
For his outstanding contributions in the area of offshore coating maintenance and for establishing a methodology for risk-based coating maintenance. 

Y. Frank Cheng
University of Calgary, Canada
In recognition of the great achievement in developing novel corrosion defect assessment techniques for improved pipeline integrity.  

Distinguished Organization Award

Recipient: Enbridge - Liquids Pipelines 
Calgary, Canada
For over 30 years, Enbridge-LP has demonstrated consistent contributions and support to AMPP’s mission of protecting people, assets, and the environment from corrosion.

Enbridge

Project Awards

Community Service Award

Community Service

Recipient: Riverfront Park Red WagonSpokane, WA, USA

Structure Owner: City of Spokane Park and Recreation Department

Contractor/applicator: Northwest Sandblast and Paint

Coating material supplier: Sherwin Williams

Local artist-original creator: Ken Spiering

Key company: Modern Construction and Consulting Services LLC

Excellence in Coating Craftsmanship - Project in honor of E. Crone Knoy and Charles Munger

Coating Craftmanship

Recipient: USNS William Mclean (T-AKE 12) - Mobile, AL, USA

Structure owner: Military Sealift Command

Contractor: Alabama Shipyards, LLC

Applicator: US Coatings

Coating Material Supplier: PPG Protective & Marine Coatings

Excellence in Management of a Complex Materials Protection- Project in honor of George Campbell

Complex Materials

Recipient: USS John C. Stennis CVN-74 Aircraft Carrier Refueling & Complex Overhaul

Structure owner: US Navy

Contractor/Applicator: Mid-Atlantic Coatings, Inc

Coating material supplier: The Sherwin-Williams Company

Architect/engineer/consultant: HII-Newport News Shipyard

Key companies:
V.O. Baker Company
WIWA LLC
BARTON International

Excellence in Technical Support of Materials Protection Systems

Technical Support

Recipient: Milky Way Digester - Maricopa, AZ, USA

Structure owner: Avolta

Contractor/applicator: Barrier Insulation

Coating material supplier: Sherwin Williams Protective & Marine

Outstanding Achievement in Coatings Work in a Fixed Shop – Project in honor of Eric Kline

Fixed Shop

Recipient: Harry Nice New Middleton Bridge Project - Newburg, MD, USA

Structure owner: Maryland Transportation Authority

Contractor/applicator: High Steel Structures

Coating material supplier: Carboline Global

Architect/engineer/consultant: SCS, Inc

VP technical resources: High Steel

Field contractor: Titan Industrial Services

Senior director of communications and marketing: MDTA

Outstanding Engineering in the Area of Materials Protection or Remediation

Outstanding Engineering

Recipient: Robotic surface preparation of tank 552 at BPX Black Hawk facility - Texas

Structure owner: BPX

Contractor/applicator: Innovative Surface Prep (ISP)

Architect/engineer/consultant: BP

Senior corrosion engineer: BP

Lead integrity engineer: BPX

Corrosion engineer: BP

Recognition of Excellence in Aesthetic Merit in a Coatings Project- Project in honor of William Johnson

Aesthetic Merit

Recipient: Glass City River Wall Mural - Toledo, OH, USA

Coatings Manufacturer: Tnemec Company

Project manager: Glass City River Wall

Operations manager: Urban Sight, Inc

Coatings Consultant: Redox Coating Consultants