We’re thrilled to welcome Grant Charpentier to the Induron team as a Field Service Technician. In this role, he will provide technical support to our customers both on-site and remotely.
Grant got his start in the coatings industry back in 2014, working in the maintenance department of a large pipe coating facility. This role gave him a solid, hands-on foundation in how coatings are applied and what it takes to keep a facility running. In 2019, Grant moved into a role with a coatings equipment OEM as a technician focused on automation and integration, which further sharpened his technical skills around the equipment side of the business. Joining the Induron team as a Field Service Technician, combines Grant’s facility, equipment, and application experiences and will enable him to provide valuable support to our customers directly in the field.
To learn more about Grant, check out this Q&A:
Q: What are your responsibilities in your new role?
A: I will train new customers on proper application of our coatings, assist with research and development of new products and processes, and conduct facility walk-throughs to help asset owners determine the right coating system for their specific needs.
Q: Why Induron? What’s your favorite thing about working for Induron so far?
A: Cody Paradis, a Field Service Technician at Induron, was the one who pushed to bring me on board to help bolster the team’s knowledge of coating application equipment. That connection is really what brought me to Induron. My favorite thing so far has been the opportunity to put my equipment and application background to work supporting customers directly and being part of a team that values that kind of hands-on technical expertise.
Q: Are you seeing any new trends in the coatings industry?
A: Yes, one trend I’m seeing is a shift toward heavy film coating systems, along with coatings engineered for greater corrosion resistance. Asset owners are looking for solutions that can stand up to harsher environments and extend the life of their assets, and the industry is responding with thicker, more durable coating systems built specifically for that kind of protection.
Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?
A: Honestly, it’s the waiting in airports. I’m a hands-on, active person, so the travel downtime sitting around waiting on flights and layovers is probably the hardest part of the job for me day-to-day.
Q: Tell us about a project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of.
A: I’ve had the chance to work on projects across the United States, but one that really stands out is a project in Times Square, New York City, where we applied a protective coating to a skyscraper to help protect it against explosions. It stuck with me because of how challenging and high stakes it was. It took a tremendous amount of coordination and planning to make sure the building and its occupants stayed safe throughout the project and for years to come.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: The best advice I’ve ever received came from my mentor, John Curtiss, who told me that “old man strength” isn’t about physical strength, it’s mental strength. You can be as physically strong as you want, but without a strong mind, you won’t be able to achieve your goals or reach your full potential.
Q: If you could have dinner with any person living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: I’d choose my mentor, John Curtiss. I miss the daily lunches we used to share, where we’d talk about life, work, and everything in between. Those conversations were a great way for me to learn from his experience and gain real insight into the industry. I’d love the chance to have that again.
Q: What person has had the biggest influence on your life and why?
A: It might sound like a broken record at this point, but it’s my mentor, John Curtiss. He’s had the biggest influence on my life, career, and even my marriage. He taught me the importance of slowing down and really taking the time to think things through, rather than rushing into decisions.
Q: Tell us a little about your family, pets and/or hobbies.
A: I married my wife in 2024. She’s a 5th grade science teacher in Houston. We have two pets– a dog named Millie and a cat named Indie. Outside of work, I enjoy playing disc golf, video games, and Magic The Gathering.