AMY FREDERICK
R&D Scientist, CARLISLE WEATHERPROOFING TECHNOLOGIES
Could you please share your current role, what it entails, and what excites you most about it?
I am a R&D scientist and I develop and help launch innovative energy-saving coating solutions for the roof restoration industry. Buildings make up over 30% of all energy usage globally, and our mission at Carlisle is to be the leading supplier of innovative building envelope products and solutions for more energy-efficient buildings. I feel my work aligns with the heart of our company’s mission, while also contributing to the company’s sustainability strategy to manufacture more energy-efficient products. While I have experience in other coatings, I am super passionate about roof coatings because I get to use my paint experience as well as my microbiology background. So, I was extremely excited when Carlisle offered me the opportunity to be a part of their team.
What brought you to the coatings industry? Was it part of the plan, or did you discover coatings along the way?
My entry into the coatings industry was unorthodox. After graduating from college, I accepted a medical laboratory scientist role with the Cleveland Clinic in their Pathology Department. However, I realized that I wanted a role in which I could use my creativity. While looking for a job, a recruiter from a staffing agency called and said I would be a great fit for a temp position with Sherwin-Williams. I was obviously a bit confused how my medical lab experience would translate to good paint experience, but I thought, why not, I’ll give working in a paint lab a shot. I liked it enough to stay.
How important has mentorship or a piece of advice from someone been in your career—and have you had the chance to mentor others in return?
I have only been in the coatings industry for about six years, so often, I’m the one being mentored. But there was one piece of advice I received early in my career that has really stuck with me. I’m interested in innovation, and I would develop all these occasionally outlandish, ideas. My marketing manager at the time told me, “It doesn’t matter if you’re able to come up with a groundbreaking concept if I can’t sell it.” That insight was a game changer for how I approached idea generation. After that, a lot more of my ideas were making it past the initial screening stage.
How, if at all, did your educational background shape your path into coatings?
My education really did not shape my path into coatings, but that has been a benefit. It has enabled me to not overthink things and I’ve found myself more willing to experiment—trying things I might not have if I’d had more knowledge.
What is one project or innovation you have worked on that you are especially proud of?
I once pitched an idea that combined my previous experiences with existing technology. My employer at the time gave me 30 days to complete a proof-of-concept to investigate my idea, which sought to detect and prevent product failures. It was a remarkably interesting 30 days. On day three, I threw out the project plan I had worked on for six months! By day 26, my method was able to produce a different response, capable of replication, based on the presence or absence of certain markers. I’m sure the whole building could hear me celebrate! I was a lab technician when I pitched this, and it meant a lot to have had the opportunity to run with it and succeed.
How do you stay current with advancements in coatings technology?
I read and research a lot, even outside of work. I just have a voracious sense of curiosity that encourages me to learn and experience as much as I can but also to question the current status quo and think of ways to make something even better. This is not only limited to coatings articles. I read anything that piques my curiosity—and this includes anything from crime, geology, archeology, physics, biology, polymer science, etc.
Are there any misconceptions about your role or the industry that you would like to correct?
That you need to be a chemist or have a chemistry background to formulate paint. Having a background most certainly helps but, in my experience, soft skills, such as curiosity and willingness to learn and collaborate, are more important. I learned everything I know about paint from a combination of mentorship, internal company training, trial and error, and experimentation. One great thing about the paint industry is that even if you have a nontraditional background, if you are curious and motivated to learn, you can be successful in this industry.
Have you ever taken a detour or changed directions in your career? What did that pivot teach you?
Yes, I have been in a role where, in hindsight, I should have left much sooner than I did. It was a difficult and stressful situation that over time was eroding my sense of self and confidence. I tried white-knuckling through everything because I was under the misconception that if I left, I would be leaving all my successes and ideas behind, and I would never have another opportunity to work in coatings again. While leaving was the hardest thing I had to do, it was the best pivot I could have made. I learned that no job is worth losing one’s self-confidence and self-respect over.
Have you faced any significant professional challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Definitely. I’ve really had to take ownership of my career, and advocate for myself. I’ve been in situations where I was pressured to let others take credit for my work, where I have been told to stop ideating, where I was told that my ideas are going to fail before any of the work started. I have overcome these situations by seeking out people within the organization that I can run an unusual concept by and who will respond by being curious rather than dismissive. I have addressed challenges by advocating for myself when it comes to work, and even leaving a role when that work was not recognized. Most importantly, I’ve developed confidence in myself so I am able to navigate and weather these situations.
How has the coatings industry changed since you entered it?
There is a divide between the formulators, who work on creating new formulations, and lab technicians, who test those formulations to simulate real world conditions—one that I’ve noticed has been increasing. I’ve been in both roles, and I strongly believe that experience as a lab technician has only made me a better formulator. Some of the most talented formulators I have been able to work with still spend time in the lab to keep their wet skills sharp. Even if there are times when I don’t directly make batches or perform testing, I always encourage those who help me to give me their observations, feedback, or ideas. I am always impressed with their insight and knowledge.
What trends or developments do you think are shaping the future of coatings?
I think there is an overall trend in the coatings industry to push toward more innovative solutions that avoid the use of harsh or less environmentally friendly chemicals. There is huge push in the roof coating industry to develop coatings that are resistant to microbial growth and to improve the ability of coatings to stay clean. Currently the industry relies on biocides to restrict microbial growth but with regulations limiting the type or amount of biocide that can be used, roof coatings are soiling faster, which reduces their longer-term energy-saving properties. So, finding alternative chemical-free methods to prevent mildew and mold growth is something I have done a lot of research on and get excited about.
Are there particular industry innovations or shifts you’re excited about?
I’m super excited about adaptive/responsive as well as sustainable coatings.
What skills or traits do you think are essential for success in this industry?
Curiosity. I don’t think I would have done well in this industry if I didn’t have a strong sense of curiosity. My curiosity has enabled me to learn, to question and, when I didn’t have the knowledge, to reach out to others in the company who did and learn from them.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry or considering a career in coatings?
Never let your lack of knowledge, experience, and feedback hold you back from pitching ideas or having ideas rejected stop you from submitting more. Every time I had an idea rejected that became a new data point that I used to tailor future ideas.
What’s something people outside the industry might not understand or be surprised to learn about working in coatings?
Waterborne paints are susceptible to spoiling by bacteria whereas solvent-based paints are not. Just because it’s waterborne doesn’t mean that there aren’t any dangerous chemicals present. Biocides are rarely friendly.
What keeps you motivated and eager to come to work each day?
The excitement around the uncertainty about what I’m going to learn, what results my tests are going to produce, what ideas might occur to me, what opportunities or collaborations I might encounter.
Do you have any professional goals that you’re still eager to accomplish?
One of my professional goals would be to have my name listed as an inventor on a patent. I have one potentially in the works but I’m going to keep trying until one becomes official.
How does company culture impact your work and ability to perform successfully?
Company culture has had a significant influence on my work. I’ve found that when a company’s culture can trickle down to individual contributors, it tends to have more positive effects. Personally, I find myself happier and eager to go the extra mile when the overall company culture is supported within my immediate team’s culture. My current company’s clear mission, vision, and values help connect corporate culture and team culture. However, in my experience, it’s rare for the overall company culture to reach the immediate team level to where the positive effects are felt by the individual contributors. I’ve been at companies where they support an overall culture of innovation but found myself on a team where participating in that culture was deemed a waste of time or even discouraged. Thankfully, that’s not the case at Carlisle.
What opportunities or unique advantages does your company offer that someone new to the workforce or not too familiar with coatings should consider as a career pathway?
I was really impressed with Carlisle when I interviewed. While I haven’t been here long, I am realizing how special a company this is. They are incredibly supportive of innovation, which is a key part of Carlisle’s Vision 2030 strategy, as well as collaboration between their employees. Employees are encouraged to investigate new concepts and there is even one day each month when they share their discoveries with the team. I’ve had multiple impromptu conversations with coworkers that resulted in us bouncing ideas off each other and leading to future opportunities for collaboration. Carlisle’s commitment and follow-through involving investing in their people, innovation, sustainability, and safety stood out to me and I think it is very advantageous.
Is there anything else you’d like to share or express that isn’t captured in the previous questions?
I’d like to express my gratitude to all those within the coatings community that have not only taken the time to encourage but also teach and support me. I especially thank all those who have been mentors to me, in particular, Mike C., Karen W., Ezekiel B., and Dave B.
Amy Frederick, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Biology-Microbiology and Cellular Genetics as well as Medical Laboratory Science. Frederick is certified by the American College of Pathologist as a medical laboratory scientist. She entered the world of coatings with the Sherwin-Williams Company on their Performance Coatings Raw Materials team and later worked at Kalcor Coatings Company. Frederick is a scientist at Carlisle’s Weatherproofing Technology Division where she works on developing innovative solutions for the roofing restoration industry.
Email: afrederick@henry.com