Whether by providing thoughtful and meaningful social media content, active participation in trade organizations or sharing expertise through technical presentations at conferences, these individuals are some of the leading thought leaders in the paint and coatings industry.
Industry leaders:
Amy Ericson
Amy Ericson, SVP Protective & Marine Coatings at PPG. Ericson has dedicated her career to leading solutions-oriented businesses in global corporations. A compassionate and engaging leader, she focuses on delivering business results through products that enhance the world. Now senior vice president, Protective and Marine Coatings, Ericson champions PPG's efforts to Protect and Beautify the World. LinkedIn
Armodio Yannidis
Armodio Yannidis, CEO of Vitex. Yannidis supports the paint and coatings industry in a myriad of ways – including spear heading charitable endeavors and participating and presenting at various industry events worldwide. He has been involved with the development of the Coating Forum, an institution formed in 2022 with the first Coating Forum held on October 19, 2022 at the Athens Conservatory. LinkedIn
Beth McDaniel
Beth McDaniel, President, Reactive Surfaces – Mc Daniel is President of Reactive Surfaces, which specializes in developing non-toxic paints and coatings containing novel, bio-based additives for surfaces that add a particular functionReactive Surfaces has developed a carbon removal system, featuring Carbon Capture Coatings. McDaniels is quite active in spreading awareness on Carbon Capture Coatings, participating in numerous industry conferences, podcasts and social media interviews. LinkedIn
Bob Ruckle
Bob Ruckle, Global Marketing and Sales Director, Siltech – For more than 30 years, Ruckle has worked in silicones R&D and marketing. Ruckle is a noted expert in his field and regularly presents at major industry events worldwide. In addition, Ruckle has published numerous papers and contributes content to notable coatings journals. LinkedIn
Gregorie Poux-Guillaume
Gregorie Poux-Guillaume, CEO of AkzoNobel. As CEO of one of the largest coatings companies in the world, Poux-Guillaume is very active sharing insights on social media. LinkedIn
Irene Tasi
Irene Tasi, SVP Global Industrial Coatings at PPG. Tasi entered the chemicals space as a chief growth officer. She has been active in promoting and encouraging women to consider careers in STEM. LinkedIn
J. Gary LeRoux
J. Gary LeRoux, President and CEO of Canadian Paint and Coatings Association. As President of the CPCA, LeRoux keeps well informed on current and future leglistation and regulatory issues that will effect he paint and coatings industry. He has written on regulatory issues in a number of coatings journals. LinkedIn
Paula Blankenship
Paula Blankenship, CEO at CamCoat. Heirloom Traditions Paint (HTP), Blankenship’s creation, is one of the very few women-owned businesses in the paint and coatings industry. Blankenship business is now completely online. She is active in promoting women in business and has been recognized for her efforts with
Women Owned ESOP Business; 2024 ABA Gold Stevie Award Winner; 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year and WPO 50 Fastest Growing Business. LinkedIn
Uta Holzenkamp
As President of BASF's Coatings Division, Holzenkamp leads approximately 11,000 employees at more than 70 sites. Holzenkamp is a thought leader in the paint and coatings community through appearances at industry events and contributions to various media outlets She wholeheartedly supports a culture of courage, trust and passion for BASF's customers. To drive innovation, sustainability and digitalization in times of transformation, she welcomes bold ideas from diverse perspectives to shape the future. LinkedIn