TAYLOR MILL, KY - The Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI) has launched chapters in Georgia and Alabama. With increasing member activity in the Southeast, CCAI is excited to have members who want to gather industry colleagues to share industrial finishing knowledge and enjoy networking events. Chapters are the heart of CCAI, and they provide significant educational and networking opportunities for those in the finishing industry. 

The Georgia chapter held its kick-off meeting at the Georgia Power Customer Resource Center in July. Chapter President Derek Dennis, with Heraeus Noblelight, led the meeting, and Treasurer Lowell Lampe, with Coral Chemicals, gave a presentation on pretreatment. There were 20 attendees for the charter meeting, which was followed by a social hour. To round out the new Georgia chapter board of directors, Ed Harmon, with Georgia Power, agreed to be Vice President, and Brit Metcalf, with IFS Coatings, took the role of Secretary.

David Boone, with Alabama Power, is taking the reigns as the first President of the Alabama chapter. Hank Arnold, with Alabama Washer and Ovens, will serve as Vice President, and Ryan Bonds, with CCIS, is the Secretary. The chapter plans to provide educational meetings with expert speakers and networking activities to share information on relevant issues in the industry. The chapter is currently in the process of scheduling programming.