Ross S.

Topliff
PE, Chemical Engineer
30 Algonquin Drive
Newburgh, NY 12550-2613
1.845.728.1769
rtc3177c@westpost.net
20+ Year Engineering Consulting & Management Professional
* Committed to effective, workable outcomes for teams, processes, and budgets
* Effective solutions for production planning and implementation
* Subject matter expert for unit operations
Powerful contributions on assignments to cause breakthroughs in plant/process en
gineering & process design.
PROFILE
* Managing major projects involving plant and process engineering, engineering d
esign, technical complexities and production as well as alternative and traditio
nal energy sources.
* Breadth of experience including flavour, fragrance, and natural products for d
airy, food, & beverages; bulk chemical, medical device, and semiconductor indust
ries.
* Highly developed interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills with an a
bility to build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders at all
levels.
* Proven track record in building and leading multi-disciplinary teams, as well
as the ability to work within a project team.
* Proficiency to analyse vast amounts of complex information and complete techni
cal investigations and planning documents complemented by outstanding public spe
aking/presentation skills.
* Proven track record in financial management assembling necessary expertise for
accountability in forecasting, cash flow, contingencies, and on-going monitorin
g of facilities.
KEY AREAS OF STRENGTH
* Hands-on problem solving
* Plant and process engineering
* Communication and presentation skills
* Document preparation
* Engineering design
* Budget/costs/schedule management
* Committed to causing successful teamwork
* Technical and production management
* Flexibility in handling multiple projects simultaneously
* Unit Operations including reactions, distillation, extraction, absorption, hea
t exchange, transport
* OSHA safety training including Haz-Mat response; NFPA code compliance
* Preparation and execution of IQ/OQ/PQ in support of cGMP manufacturing process
KEY EXPERIENCE
Tops Engineering, LLC., Newburgh, NY. 2009 to present
Prime Solutions, Inc., Danbury, CT 2009
CH2M HILL, Fishkill, NY, Lehi, UT 2007 to 2009
Premier Brands of America, Inc., Mount Vernon, NY. 2006 to 2007
Medasorb Technologies, LLC, Monmouth Junction, NJ 2002 to 2006
Givaudan Flavors Corp., East Hanover, NJ 1992 to 2002
Hercules, Inc., PFW Division, Middletown, NY 1987 to 1992
Nepera, Inc., Harriman, NY 1978 to 1987
CASE STUDIES & ACHIEVEMENTS
* Designed $400,000 thermal energy systems at two locations to improve heat reco
very from co-generation system and improve plant throughput
* Designed $1,400,000 waste digester biogas collection systems to feed new co-ge
neration unit utilizing Capstone microturbines with heat recovery system
* Provided quality control and construction management support during upgrade of
storage and distribution area handling pyrophoric gas, eliminated shutdowns to
manufacturing area.
* Coordinated multi-disciplinary team of internal and external specialists to in
vestigate options and costs of meeting waste water reduction criteria in complia
nce with NYS DEC agreement for client, investigated reverse osmosis, ion exchang
e, desalination, crystallization; utilized Aspen Plus computer modeling to assis
t search for best option
* Saved over $100,000 and reduced cycle time by 25% through redesign of steam cl
eaning process for medical device used in human clinical trials
* Researched second generation medical device and conducted performance testing
using designed experiments, investigated patents and maintained records for poss
ible patent filings
* Product purification, isolation, and solvent recovery including membrane sepa
rations
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Licensure: PE Chemical Engineer in CT, NH, MA, ME, VT, PA, NY, NJ, MD
Education: Stevens Institute of Technology
MS Management of Technology, 1996
University of Michigan
MS Chemical Engineering, 1978
University of New Hampshire
BS Chemical Engineering , 1977
Tau Beta Pi, Magna Cum Laude
Affiliations:
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society,
member SP 5.6 committee
Society for Biological Engineering
Publications: International Society of Automation, ISA-SP 5.06.01
Functional Requirements Documentation for Control
Software Applications
R. Dwiggins, A. Habib, R. Topliff, Spring, 2008