Title: Field Technical Service Engineer
Company: Specialty Polymer Coatings, a Division of Carboline
Location: Castleton On Hudson, New York, United States
James P. Sepowski, Field Technical Service Engineer II at Specialty Polymer Coatings, a Division of Carboline, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Industrial Coatings and Technical Services.
Mr. Sepowski is lauded for his contributions to his industry, with a career spanning more than 35 years in the industrial coatings and technical services sector. Since 2018, he has served as a field technical service engineer II at Specialty Polymer Coatings, a division of Carboline. In this capacity, he performs failure analysis, conducts certification training for pipeline industry contractors, and works closely with natural gas and other pipeline sectors on field-applied coatings. Mr. Sepowski also ensures compliance with Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations by certifying applicators through classroom instruction, written examinations and hands-on assessments. His responsibilities require extensive travel to contractor sites, such as New Jersey Natural Gas, where he provides direct certification and support.
Beyond these duties, Mr. Sepowski is recognized for mentoring individuals new to the industrial coatings field, helping them become productive professionals, a contribution he considers among his most significant achievements. Before joining Specialty Polymer Coatings, he navigated a period of career transition following a downsizing at Devoe High Performance Coatings in 2015, where the field technical services team was reduced from 12 employees to two. After more than 25 years of dedicated service, Mr. Sepowski received a severance package for one year and began seeking new opportunities outside his established area of expertise.
In 2016, Mr. Sepowski accepted a position as an underground storage tank inspector with Tanknology, focusing on gas station pump inspections. Although this role did not fully utilize his National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) certification or align with his professional strengths, it provided valuable experience during a pivotal time in his career.
From 1998 to 2015, Mr. Sepowski served as a field technical services manager at International Paint, now part of AkzoNobel. During this tenure, he managed numerous high-profile projects, most notably the industrial coating project for the Brooklyn Bridge. Over three years, Mr. Sepowski oversaw meticulous technical requirements and maintained extensive correspondence with the New York State Department of Bridges and city officials. His responsibilities included providing field technical support and ensuring all deviations from standard procedures were formally approved by the coatings manufacturer. Regular meetings at One Broadway in Manhattan with the New York City Bridge Authority further underscored the project’s complexity and visibility.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Sepowski excelled as an aircraft armament fire-control repairman at Devoe High Performance Coatings in 1989 before advancing into management roles within the company. Before entering the civilian sector, his foundational professional experience was shaped by three years of military service in the U.S. Army, beginning in 1982, where he achieved the rank of E-4.
Mr. Sepowski’s educational background includes an associate degree in accounting from Middlesex Community College in Middletown, Connecticut, earned in 1981. This academic achievement provided him with analytical skills that have proven invaluable throughout his technical and managerial roles. Mr. Sepowski also holds several prestigious certifications, including Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) senior certified coatings inspector credentials and NACE Level III certification through NACE International (now part of AMPP). These certifications underscore his advanced knowledge and authority within the industrial coatings sector.
Throughout his career, Mr. Sepowski has been an active member of several industry organizations, including AMPP and the Society for Protective Coatings. These affiliations have supported his ongoing professional development and commitment to industry standards. Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Sepowski is civically engaged through volunteer work at a soup kitchen.
In light of his success, Mr. Sepowski has received multiple sales and service awards for outstanding performance throughout his career. He attributes much of his success to influential mentors he encountered early in his career at Devoe Coatings, who were instrumental in shaping his approach to technical challenges and other aspects of the industry.
Looking ahead, Mr. Sepowski plans to retire from Specialty Polymer Coatings before transitioning into consulting within the industrial coatings industry. He intends to leverage his extensive experience and certifications to continue contributing as an expert advisor while pursuing personal interests beyond full-time employment.
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