AMPP Names CEO

The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) — a global nonprofit representing more than 32,000 members in the materials, corrosion and coatings industries — has named Alan Thomas as its new chief executive officer effective April 1, 2023. Thomas succeeds Robert Chalker, who was with AMPP for 13 years.

“It is an honor to welcome Alan to AMPP,” says Amir Eliezer, chair of the AMPP board of directors and member of the CEO selection committee. “Alan is an accomplished executive with an admirable leadership track record of over 20 years in CEO roles in the association field and several business entities. Alan thoroughly understands our industry and AMPP’s mission, and will continue a values-based leadership approach that will benefit our members. The board is confident that Alan, together with an expert staff team, will ensure the strong execution of AMPP’s strategic plan and take advantage of the significant opportunities ahead to increase the global impact that our members can have with their expertise in so many areas.”

Before this appointment, Thomas served as the chief executive officer for Gridiron LLC, where he oversaw the acquisition and total integration of a lower middle market SaaS company, doubling the size of the business. In 2014, Thomas launched Array Coating Technology LLC, a full-service industrial blasting, coating, powder coating and metal finishing company focused on the subsea oil and gas sector, where he cultivated strategic partnerships with industry leaders and customers. A past International Facility Management Association (IFMA) executive vice president and chief operating officer, he also was responsible for developing strategic alliances and channel partners globally for the international nonprofit.

“I am thrilled to join and lead AMPP forward. I greatly regard the organization’s rich history and am happy to add that at one point in my career, I was a member of both the former NACE and SSPC associations,” Thomas says. “AMPP has significant potential to continue reshaping the future of the corrosion and coatings industries, and I look forward to working with the passionate and talented global membership to accelerate innovation in industry.”