History
History
Liberty Coating is the American Eastern Seaboard leader in the pipe coating application industry. Privately owned and operated, we bring more than 60 years of international pipeline coating experience to your needs. Our long history began after World War II in Philadelphia and has evolved. In 1972, we relocated to Morrisville, Pennsylvania on 35 acres in 6 coating buildings covering more than 110,000 square feet.
With 100 dedicated employees, we are an industrial applicator with wide-ranging expertise in corrosive and mechanical protective coatings for both inside and outside pipe. For decades, Liberty has been servicing the natural gas, oil, petro-chemical, water and sewer industries meeting the critical need for carbon steel-lined, electrical conduit and ductile iron pipe. Pritec®, the preferred coating of Northeast utility companies, is just one of our many industry-recognized specialties. In 2013, we expanded our operations to include pipe bending and fabrication. We can also receive your transported pipe for coating via truck, rail or sea vessel. And, we will store pipe for customers located here on the East coast.
Workforce
Our team members have both domestic and international experience in both pipe coating applications and the utility industries of our clients. We leverage our technical expertise, quality assurance efforts, and customer service commitment to deliver a range of products and services. Commitment to R&D and training ensures that both our coating materials , applications processes and our team are World Class.Details of our management group that guides are company can be found in the Leadership tab.
Mission Statement
Liberty Coating Company is committed to excellence in pipe coating applications and services to the utility industries. Through continual dedication to the highest levels of quality in coating products, application processes, and customer service: Liberty Coating Company will support its customers in the success of their pipeline projects.
Safety
Safety is our priority at Liberty Coating Company. Our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our employees includes the following safety practices:
• Hazard recognition and safety training – provided weekly for all employees through Toolbox talks
• Monthly Union and Management safety meetings
• Near miss/incident reporting and investigations
• New hire safety orientation and training
• Safety manual consistently reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with the most rigorous construction standards
Environmental Message
Liberty Coating Company is committed to the protection of the environment. Coating applications can contain a number of harmful substances that can have a negative impact on the environment. By far, the most important environmental impact from paints is the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the drying process after the coating is applied. Liberty Coating Company takes every precaution to ensure that the storage and use of all coating products meet OSHA and EPA standards to ensure the safety of both our team members and the environment of the surrounding community.
Our Leadership
Don Barder, President and Chief Operating Officer
Don Barder is President and Chief Operating Officer of Liberty Coating Company with 25 years experience in the pipe coating industry, 12 of which were with Bredero Price. Don spent several years in Malaysia and Singapore in various management positions. His position prior to Liberty Coating was with a Japanese conglomerate, Sumitomo Corporation of America, as Product Manager for linepipe officing in Houston. Don along with Bill Burke formed Liberty Coating Company in 2001 and partnered themselves with Liberty Sales and Distribution in 2004.
Nora Kelly, Executive Vice President and General Manager
Nora Kelly, Executive Vice President and General Manager, joined Liberty Coating in 2013 as General Manager of Pipe Bending and Fabrication with over 10 years of natural gas utility experience. She has held a variety of management roles within Liberty Coating for over a decade, most recently functioning as VP of Commercial. She has held leadership positions in various areas including; Regulatory Compliance, Engineering & Design, and Construction Management. She is an active member of industry organizations including American Gas Association and Society of Gas Operators. Ms. Kelly graduated from Drexel University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a MS in Engineering Management.
Samuel Thomas, Senior Advisor
Samuel Thomas is currently a Senior Advisor to Liberty’s Coating Company’s Management and Sales teams. Sam comes to Liberty with over four decades of pipeline coating experience in management, engineering, project management and research & development. Sam has a B.S. in Chemistry, from Norwich University and an M.S. in Polymer Science & Engineering, from Polymer Science Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst and was a Research Fellow at McCrone Institute for Microscopy.
Jonathan Hill, Director of Commercial
Jonathan Hill is Director of Commercial. Jonathan has over a decade of professional experience in Business Development at executive levels with several regional and national firms. He is a graduate of Bloomsburg University.
Louis Taylor (Lou), Business Development and Key Account Manager
Louis Taylor (Lou) is our Business Development and Key Account Manager. Lou has a strong background of over 34 years in the gas, water, and coatings industries – holding leadership roles in both Management and Sales. His technical strength is supported by holding several coating certification levels through the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE).
Rebecca Hutcheson, Customer Service Representative
Rebecca is currently the Customer Service Representative for the Ductile Iron division of Liberty Coating for both facilities in Pennsylvania and Alabama. She also handles a portion of the carbon steel division as well. Rebecca brings over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector while living in Tennessee, before joining Liberty in 2015.
Tonia Paul, Customer Service Representative
Tonia Paul is currently our Customer Service Representative for the Carbon Steel division of Liberty Coating. She joined Liberty Coating in 2015 as an Administrative Assistant and brings over ten years of customer service and office support experience to the team.
Thomas Spires, Director of Operations
Thomas Spires is Director of Operations. Tom has had a broad career in Operations Management and Financial Analysis in various Industries. He is a graduate of Cabrini College.
Aiden McNamara, Purchasing Coordinator
Aiden McNamara, Purchasing Coordinator. Aiden is a recent graduate of the Fox School of Business at Temple University. Prior to joining Liberty Coating, Aiden had student work experiences in several local professional sports organizations’ operations.
Dave Coons, Plant Supervision
Dave Coons is currently Liberty Coating Company’s Plant Superintendent with over 35 years of pipe coating experience. Dave is responsible for overseeing all coating and yard operations.
Joe Barder, Supervisor
Joe Barder is the Supervisor of Liberty’s Specialty Ductile Fittings Coating department. Joe has over 10 years of experience in both the Specialty Pipe Coating & Protecto 401 Coating plants.
Tom Darmo, Maintenance Operations Manager
Mr. Darmo has almost 3 decades of experience in the pipe and pipe coatings industries. Tom takes the lead at Liberty to ensure all operations’ machinery is working to ensure a quality coating job for our customers.
Jeff Brown, Operations Manager
Jeff is currently our Operations Manager. Jeff joined Liberty in 2012 with over 30 years of experience in the ductile iron industry. Prior to joining the team, Jeff’s previous experience includes: yard operations, shipping operations, and overseeing ductile iron finishing.
Scott Helbling, Production Supervisor
Scott Helbling, Production Supervisor. Scott joined the Liberty team in 2023. Previously Scott Helbling. He has almost 2 decades of experience in production management for different industrial companies in Bucks County. Scott brings to Liberty a strong background in the 5S methodology of lean manufacturing.
Joe Van Winkle, Shipping & Receiving Coordinator
Mr. Van Winkle is a dedicated Liberty Coating employee who has worked in most Operations departments at the company. Joe is now the first person our customers see as they arrive!
Ryan Cavanaugh, Operations Coordinator
Ryan Cavanaugh is our Operations Coordinator. Ryan joined Liberty in 2016 in our Traceability group and worked there until he was promoted in 2018 to Shipping and Receiving Manager.
Alex Godun, HR Generalist
Alex is Liberty Coating Company’s HR Generalist. Alex comes to us with over 25 years of experience in business and 20 specifically in Human Resources.
Kathy Bowers, Director of Accounting
Kathy, is our Director of Accounting and has worked at Liberty Coating Company since July 2010. Kathy, since 2001, worked for the company’s third party accounting firm handling the Liberty Account. Kathy comes to Liberty with 30 years in public accounting. During her years in public accounting, Kathy worked in all functions from Administrative support to senior accountant, giving her a well rounded background. Kathy is an Enrolled Agent, licensed to prepare tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.
Marge Opacki, Accounting Clerk
Marge Opacki is Liberty Coating Company’s accounting clerk. Marge joined Liberty Coating in 2014 and brings over 17 years of retail inventory management and credit process experience to the team.
Debra Delano, Administrative Assistant
Ms. Delano has over 3 decades of professional knowledge encompassing all aspects of office administration. Deb is an integral part to keeping Liberty’s main office moving forward!
