The reactivation of AMPP Venezuela Chapter marks a new stage for the country’s technical community by reestablishing a space oriented toward training, knowledge exchange, and the adoption of international standards in materials protection, corrosion, and asset integrity.
With the activation of the Venezuelan chapter of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), professionals, companies, universities, and students will once again have a platform to strengthen their technical competencies and expand their participation in one of the world’s most important organizations in these disciplines.
An Organization That Brings the Technical Community Together Again
The reactivation of the AMPP Venezuela Chapter marks the country’s official return to the international network of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), an organization created in 2021 following the merger of NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings, two of the most influential institutions in the development of standards, certifications, and best practices for materials protection and asset integrity.
Although Venezuela has for decades boasted a prominent community of professionals certified in corrosion, cathodic protection, coatings, and industrial inspection, the chapter’s institutional representation remained inactive for several years.
In 2024, the first step toward its recovery was taken with the creation of the AMPP Venezuela Student Chapter, aimed at strengthening the training of new talent. Now, with the reactivation of the professional chapter, the country regains a strategic space to promote technical training, knowledge exchange, and connection with the global community of corrosion and asset integrity specialists.
The reactivation of the chapter responds to the interest in consolidating a community of specialists committed to professional development and continuous updating in key areas for the industry.
In an environment where asset reliability and efficient corrosion management represent determining factors for operational continuity, the return of AMPP Venezuela will enable the promotion of training activities, technical meetings, and collaboration spaces among professionals from different productive sectors.
The chapter’s main areas of work include:
- Corrosion control.
- Mechanical integrity and asset management.
- Industrial coatings and surface protection.
- Cathodic protection.
- Risk-Based Inspection (RBI).
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).
- Pipeline and duct integrity.
- Materials science and engineering.
AMPP Venezuela Chapter and the Board of Directors
As part of the reactivation process, the AMPP Venezuela Chapter elected the board of directors that will lead this new institutional stage and will be responsible for promoting the chapter’s growth, strengthening the participation of the Venezuelan technical community, and tightening links with the international AMPP network.
The board is composed of Carlos Palacios Jr. as Chapter Delegate, Orlando Salas as Chair (President), Martin Criado as Vice Chair (Vice President), Dr. Valentina Millano as Secretary, Carlos Palacios Jr. as Treasurer, and Eduardo Lodato along with Stefano Delli Colli as Members-at-Large.
The composition of the board of directors brings together professionals with experience in both industry and academia, strengthening the chapter’s multidisciplinary character. Among them, Dr. Valentina Millano stands out; as director of the Corrosion Studies Center at the University of Zulia (LUZ), her career in research and specialized training provides a close connection with the academic field and the development of new generations of specialists in corrosion, materials protection, and asset integrity.
For his part, Stefano Delli Colli, Director of Operations and Business Development at Orbis Solutions, joins as Member-at-Large, contributing his experience in the industrial and business development sectors to support the chapter’s initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration between companies, universities, and professionals dedicated to materials protection and asset integrity management.
This team will have the responsibility of promoting the chapter’s growth, strengthening the participation of the Venezuelan technical community, and consolidating the relationship with AMPP’s international network through training initiatives, technical dissemination, and cooperation among specialists.
Continuous knowledge updating constitutes one of the main challenges for sectors that operate critical infrastructure.
Industries such as oil and gas, refining, petrochemicals, power generation, mining, transportation, infrastructure, and manufacturing require professionals capable of applying modern methodologies to extend asset life, reduce operational risks, and optimize inspection and maintenance programs.
In this context, the presence of the AMPP chapter will facilitate access to technical conferences, specialized seminars, networking activities, educational programs, and the exchange of experiences with national and international experts.
Connection with an International Knowledge Network
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is recognized worldwide for promoting the development of standards, professional certifications, technical publications, and educational programs related to materials protection and corrosion management.
Venezuela’s reincorporation into this international community will enable closer ties with specialists from other countries and facilitate access to trends, research, and best practices in areas such as asset integrity, industrial inspection, operational reliability, digital transformation, and sustainability.
Likewise, the chapter aspires to become a meeting point for sharing experiences, promoting technical cooperation, and encouraging the participation of new generations of engineers and professionals interested in these disciplines.
A Boost for Venezuelan Talent and Industry
Beyond the creation of an organizational structure, the reactivation of AMPP Venezuela Chapter represents an opportunity to strengthen the national technical ecosystem through the generation of learning spaces, collaboration, and professional exchange.
The chapter will seek to promote alliances with universities, companies, and institutions, as well as organize activities that contribute to the continuous updating of specialists and the development of solutions for the challenges facing the industry.
With this new stage, Venezuela recovers its presence within AMPP’s global network, strengthening the ties between the national technical community and an organization that brings together thousands of professionals dedicated to materials protection, corrosion management, and asset integrity worldwide.
Source: Inspenet
Photo: AMPP
