A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
ACA regulatory update september 22nd
michael a granito scholarship
holiday party
mnyca’s upcoming expert exchange
aca honors dave penichter distinguished service award
gehring montgomery / lorama group strategic distribution
2026 golf outing
community service project
afternoon at yankee stadium
mnyca holds annual meeting
welcome our newest members
mnyca employment committee
meet your new mnyca board
calendar of events
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Christine Gehres, MNYCA President
Dear Members and Friends,
It is a profound honor to serve as the new President of the Metropolitan New York Coatings Association (MNYCA), during this milestone year as we celebrate our 140th anniversary. For nearly a century and a half, the association has been a cornerstone of connection, innovation, and strength for the regional coatings industry. While we take pride in our rich history, we are equally focused on positioning our association for future expansion and success.
Our industry continues to evolve, and MNYCA is evolving with it. To strengthen our organization and better serve the coatings community, we are expanding our geographical reach to officially welcome members from Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. This regional expansion formally connects our existing network with potential new members, creating broader opportunities for collaboration, and business growth.
To remain strong and relevant, we need the active engagement of our members. Membership growth is a key priority this year. By welcoming new companies and professionals into our association, we strengthen our collective voice, deepen our resource pool, and ensure that MNYCA remains the definitive forum for industry advocacy and commercial networking.
Staying viable for the next 140 years, we are committed to providing meaningful programs and modernized value to support our members. Key initiatives include:
Technical Forums: We have launched dedicated technical sessions to dissect emerging regulatory changes, raw material disruptions, and cutting-edge formulation technologies.
Workforce Development: We will introduce targeted learning opportunities and foundational training tracks specifically designed to onboard and upskill the newest employees of our member companies.
Networking Opportunities: We will continue to organize events to provide networking opportunities for our members. Special focus will be on introducing the next generation of coating professionals to each other and our long-time industry members.
Eastern Coatings Show: MNYCA is a founding member and a proud hosting society with many of our members’ employees actively organizing the show. (May 11 – 13, 2027)
Mentorship and Continuity: We will establish structured pathways to pass down decades of hard-won tribal knowledge from our veteran executives to the industry's next generation.
Social Responsibility: We will continue our active participation in local not-for-profit events.
Even as we pivot toward the future, we will never lose sight of the individuals and companies that built the foundation of our association. Throughout this milestone year, we will formally celebrate our rich history and recognize the multi-generational businesses and dedicated professionals whose contributions have shaped our industry.
I encourage every member-company to actively engage in our new initiatives, bring your incoming talent to our events, and champion the MNYCA’s expansion. Together, we can honor our past, transform our present, and help secure a thriving future for the local coatings industry.
Sincerely,
Christine Gehres, President MNYCA
aca regulatory update
september 22nd
In today's ever-changing regulatory environment, it is more important than ever to stay informed about evolving legislation and emerging policy trends.
To help us better understand the challenges and opportunities ahead, we are pleased to welcome Heidi McAuliffe, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the American Coatings Association, as our guest speaker.
Heidi will share valuable insights into the current regulatory landscape and discuss what the future may hold for our industry.
(Invitations will be emailed shortly. We encourage you to join us for this informative and timely discussion.)
michael a granito scholarship
This year’s scholarship recipient is Madeline Claeson, daughter of Michele Claeson, VP of Sales - Trust Chem USA.
Madeline has received acceptances from an impressive list of institutions, and has committed to attending Rollins College – Winter Park, FL for International Business. We want to congratulate Madeline on this $1,000 scholarship.
holiday party
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 8th at 6:00 PM!
The MNYCA Annual Holiday Party will be held this year at The Tides Estate, North Haledon, NJ.
This year's event will feature a new format designed to encourage more networking and socializing among attendees. Guests can enjoy a cocktail-style reception with a variety of passed hors d'oeuvres throughout the evening.
Be on the lookout for your official invitation to arrive in your email soon. We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!
MNYCA’s Upcoming Expert Exchange
The Metropolitan New York Coatings Association is pleased to announce the launch of the Expert Exchange Series, a new virtual program designed to bring leading experts in the coatings industry directly to our members via a virtual platform.
Our inaugural presentation was well attended and received.
October 2026
Chris Howard (Lintech) Additives: Their Uses and How They Function
An in-depth look at coating additives, their roles in formulations, and the mechanisms by which they enhance performance.
December 2026
Mike Jeffries (Covestro) 1K and 2K Water-Based Polyurethanes: Chemistry, Formulation, and Applications
Explore the chemistry behind one-component and two-component water-based polyurethanes, including formulation considerations, key applications, and a comparison with other water-based coating technologies.
February 2027
Romesh Kumar (Independent Pigment Expert) Pigments: History and Chemistry
A fascinating review of pigment development through history and the chemistry that drives color and performance in modern coatings.
April 2027
Jim McDonald Color Measurement: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Color
Gain a comprehensive understanding of color science, measurement techniques, and best practices for evaluating and communicating color.
June 2027
Keith Moody Optimizing Solvent Selection in Waterborne Coatings: Minimizing VOCs and Maximizing Performance
Learn strategies for selecting solvents that balance environmental considerations, regulatory requirements, and coating performance.
Additional details and registration information will be provided as they become available.
aca honors dave penichter
Distinguished service award
Penichter retired as Director of Business Development for specialties at Univar Solutions last year.
From left, Mike Johnson, ACA president and CEO; Dave Penichter; ACA chairman Jeff Powell; and ACA vice chairman Chase Bean. (Photo Credit: Liz Lynch)
The American Coatings Association (ACA) presented Dave Penichter — who retired as director of business development for specialties at Univar Solutions last year — with its Distinguished Service Award. Penichter received this recognition during ACA’s Industry Awards Dinner, held prior to the American Coatings Show in Indianapolis.
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes enduring service to ACA and the paint and coatings industry. Over his 45-year career in the industry, Penichter carved a commercial path, primarily through the distribution channel. Click to read more.
Gehring montgomery / lorama group
announce strategic distribution
Gehring Montgomery, Inc., a leading North American specialty chemical distributor under the TER Group in Germany, is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with Lorama Group, a global innovator in advanced color technology, custom colorant solutions, and sustainable bio-based additives for the CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.
Under this new agreement, Gehring Montgomery will serve as the exclusive distributor for Lorama Group’s product portfolio across the United States territory east of the Mississippi River.
2026 golf outing - great success
The MNYCA Golf Outing was a tremendous success, thanks to beautiful weather, great participation, and an outstanding day of networking and friendly competition. The day turned out to be a perfect outing on the course.
Special thanks to Kurt Maas, Golf Chairperson, for coordinating and tracking the team and skills competition results, including the 1st and 2nd place team finishes and individual skills prizes. Congratulations to all our contest and prize winners. (See photos below)
Golfers had the opportunity to compete in a scramble match.
1st Place with 9 under par - Tom Harris, Mike Rossomando, Dan Crimmins, Ed Web
2nd Place also with 9 under par - Dave Putman, Jon Rose, Steve McEntee, Chris Allen
Congratulations to our lucky winners of the raffle - Sheila Belding, Steve Rosiek, and Justin Brown. This year’s raffle generated over $700 in proceeds for MNYCA Scholarships. Thank you to everyone’s generous support to the association.
A sincere thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers who helped make this year's outing such a memorable event. Without their support, it could not make it happen. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing everyone again next year for another great day on the links! (mark your calendars for June 24, 2027)
community service project
Want to make an impact on our community? We are planning our next service project and will share the date as soon as it is confirmed. In the meantime, if you are interested in volunteering or learning more about future opportunities, please contact Dave White at dwhite@pantechnology.com We welcome your participation and look forward to giving back together.
afternoon at yankee stadium
On July 22nd, MNYCA members and their guests gathered at the Audi Club in Yankee Stadium to watch the New York Yankees take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at this oversold event. Everyone enjoyed an afternoon of baseball, networking, and camaraderie while taking in the exciting game-day atmosphere.
Thank you to all who joined us and helped make the event a success. We look forward to seeing everyone again at next year's outing!
mnyca holds annual meeting
The Metropolitan New York Coatings Association held its 2026 Annual Meeting virtually on June 3rd, bringing members together to review important changes within the Association, recognize achievements, welcome new leadership, and look ahead to an exciting year of growth and member engagement.
In his opening remarks, MNYCA President John Messina thanked members for their continued support and reviewed several operational changes implemented to ensure the Association’s long-term financial stability and sustainability. Holding the Annual Meeting virtually was another step toward maintaining member engagement while managing expenses responsibly.
A new Executive Committee and Board of Directors were presented and approved. Christine Gehres of CGI Consultants became President, with Tom Kinlin of Shamrock Technologies serving as Vice President and Heather Quartarolo of Lintech as Secretary/Treasurer. John Messina of Isolatek became Chairman of the Board.
The Association also recognized the next generation of coatings professionals through the 2026 Michael A. Granito Memorial Scholarship, which was awarded to Madeline Claeson.
welcome our newest members
John Millard - National Account Mgr
Diane Pappageorge - Englewood, NJ
mnyca employment committee
The MNYCA provides an opportunity for member companies to post links to your company job board on the MNYCA website.
If you know individuals who need new employment, we encourage them to send their resumes to: Bob Whiteley at rwhite3500@gmail.com who can aid in placing people with member companies looking to fill open positions.
Meet Your MNYCA Board
John Messina – Chair of the Board - Isolatek Intl
Christine Gehres – President - CGI
Tom Kinlin – Vice President - Shamrock Tech.
Heather Quartarolo – Sec / Treasurer - Lintech
Board of Trustees
Jason Anagnostis - P.O.R. Products
Michele Claeson - Trust Chem USA
Alicia Colacci - Munzing
Geoff Clay - Arxada
Thomas Daquila - Eagle Specialty
John Kehmna – Univar Solutions
Kurt Maas - Champion Container
Aida Mevoglioni - UMC
Thomas Penny - Benjamin Moore & Co.
Kerry Pianoforte - Coatings World
Andrew Romano - Van Horn, Metz & Co.
Bruce Schimmel – Superior Materials
Dave White - Pan Technology
Calendar of Events:
TECHNICAL FORUM
Regulatory Update by ACA
September 22nd - (time is TBD)
Holiday party
Tuesday, December 8th @ 6 p.m.
The Tides Estates- N. Haledon, NJ
Cocktail Reception event format
mnyca golf outing - 2027
Thursday, June 24th
Galloping Hill Golf Course - Kenilworth, NJ
Connect with MNYCA on Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6531944/