We’re excited to welcome Mike Kang to the Induron team! As Technical Director, Mike will be responsible for research and development and quality control management while assisting with production and purchasing departments. To learn a little more about Mike, check out this Q&A.
Q: Tell us about your background and how you came to work for Induron.
A: I have worked as a coating chemist/chemical engineer for eight different paint manufacturers and have 32 combined years of experience in the U.S., Canada and South-Korea. I joined Induron’ s team for a new challenge.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about working for Induron so far?
A: I’ve enjoyed the constant problem solving, endless development initiatives and making cost-effective improvements as well as providing technical assistance for customers.
Q: What’s the most challenging part about your job?
A: Usually, when I start a new job, the new circumstances are the most challenging part, but the Induron family is kind and helpful, so fortunately, that will not be the issue.
Q: Tell us about a project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of.
A: Since joining the Induron team, we have been working with new technology to infuse into proven products that are applicable for wastewater immersion, fume environments and corrosive soil exposure. This innovative, new technology provides low permeation to H2S gas and chemical resistance to steel and ductile iron. It is ideal for severe wastewater and buried exposure applications.
Q: Are you seeing any new trends in the protective coatings industry?
A: ‘Functional coatings’ can be classified as several types depending on their functional characteristics. Traditionally, coatings are applied to surfaces for decorative, protective or functional purposes, but in most cases, it is a combination of these. The term ‘functional coatings’ describes systems that possess the standard properties of a coating (i.e., decoration and protection), AND an additional functionality. This additional functionality may be diverse and depend on the actual application of a coated substrate.
Additional functionalities include enhanced chemical resistance, robust mechanical resistance, longer lasting UV resistance, self-healing, super hydrophobic and anti-microbial. The typical expectations of functional coatings include re-producibility, easy application, cost effectiveness, tailored surface morphology and environmental friendliness.
Q: If you could have dinner with any person living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: My mother. I lost her on January 1998. She would always be my very first choice, and this is why… I imagine her face and I can see how she would clap, smile and point and say, “That’s my son!” Dinner would end and we’d have to say goodbye.
Q: What person has had the biggest influence on your life and why?
A: Many people have had tremendous influence in my life. I would say that my parents have been the most influential people. They taught me the values to live by, supported me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams while challenging myself to be the best that I can be. I would not be the person I am today without their love and guidance.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be a value.” – Albert Einstein
Q: Tell us a little about your hobbies.
A: Work and family accounts for a lot of my time, but on the weekends, we like to get out and enjoy nature. We try to go to the park and walk. It’s a good way for us to refresh and rest before tackling the work week, and a great way to get exercise.
Q: Where is your favorite place to be?
A: I would say Venice. When we backpacked through Europe a few years ago, we loved it there. We got to eat some amazing local foods, enjoy different culture and see lots of history. I would love to go back!
Q: If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
A: I’ve always loved fishing, so it would be fun to be a professional deep-sea fisherman for a day and catch a tuna or a halibut!