Relationships Matter as Much as Inspections for Matthias Mailman

In a jurisdiction where a routine inspection can require a charter flight, an ice road, or days of careful planning, technical expertise is only part of the job. For Matthias Mailman, former chief inspector for Canada’s Northwest Territories, building relationships has been just as important as understanding the equipment he inspects.

The Northwest Territories presents challenges few inspectors encounter. Remote communities, extreme temperatures, and limited access can turn even a straightforward inspection into a logistical undertaking.

But Mailman’s approach has always been about more than getting the job done. Over the years, he developed close relationships with residents who helped him navigate communities, arrange transportation, and make each visit possible.

“The relationships are everything,’ he said.

Those connections also reflect his commitment to helping others. After more than 15 years as chief, Mailman retired in September. His career leaves behind a legacy measured not only in inspections and equipment, but in the trust he built across communities and the friendships he formed throughout the National Board.

His story is clear: The most enduring measure of an inspector may be the relationships that remain long after the work is done.

Other articles in the fall BULLETIN include:

• “The Danger of What We Don’t See” by James R. Chiles
• “Steam Cutting of Valve Seats” by Robert Viers
• “Under Pressure: Performance, Inspection, and the Future of Graphite Heat Exchangers” by Donn Nier
• “Auditing With a Purpose Ensures Safety Through Compliance” by Luis Ponce
• “The Importance of Diligence in Preventing Chemical Releases” by Adam Henson
• “Fifty Years Later, the Same Questions Remain” by Mike Burns
• “Scary Photos: A Close-Up Look at the Dark Side of the Boiler Room”
• “Executive Director’s Message” by Joel Amato
• “NBIC Update” by Jonathan Ellis
• “Training Matters” by Kimberly Miller
• “National Board 2026 Registrations”
• Q&A with Nancy Simoneau, Chair of the ABMA Board of Directors
• 2027 Instructor-Led Training Courses and Seminars
• 2026 Members’ Meeting

The BULLETIN is published three times a year. Click here for more information, including how to subscribe and read it online.