Charles E. Kirk, P.E., Senior Mechanical Engineer, LEED Accredited Professional
Mr. Kirk has over 25 years of experience in mechanical engineering, consulting, project management, and commissioning. He has filled positions such as Lead Consultant acting as owner’s representative during the construction of multiple high rise condominium projects, Lead Engineer on multiple projects encompassing the design and construction administration for the renovation of commercial building central plants including cooling and heating systems, and Lead Mechanical Engineer providing forensic engineering services to a large luxury condominium complex.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland
Licenses: Professional Engineer, VA, MD, DC
Robert Kroohs, CEA, BESA
Mr. Kroohs brings over 36 years of experience in the industry. As Energy Manager for a large corporation he has tracked energy use for 74 locations nationwide and established the first portfolio wide energy use tracking system for a major government contractor. He completed site surveys and energy audits, accumulating over $3 Million in energy savings opportunities during the process. He has assisted in implementation of energy savings opportunities, resulting in first year savings of over $250k, with five year projected savings in the $5m range. As a Senior Commissioning Specialist he served in the following arenas:
- Mechanical Commissioning Specialist – 68k SF MSP Forensics Laboratory, a state of the art facility that completed construction in April 2006
- Mechanical Commissioning Specialist – 150k SF UMD, New BioSciences Research Building, completed construction in the fall of 2006
- Project Manager and Mechanical Commissioning Specialist – two projects at PSU, State College, PA – “Sparks” Class A Baseball Team Stadium & Recreation Center/Wrestling Hall Addition, both completing in summer 2006
- Team Leader and Mechanical Commissioning Specialist for Target Corporation Retro–Commissioning effort to reduce energy consumption.
Mr. Kroohs also supported governmental, educational, residential and commercial buildings in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He has completed property condition assessments, warranty and turnover inspections, equipment and systems replacement design and specification and due diligence studies. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer he served as Team Leader of a Mechanical Engineering Consultant team for engineering and commissioning projects. He has also designed and managed the installation of AHU, chiller and mechanical systems. He has served progressively as Chief Engineer, Project Manager, Technical Services Manager, and Operations Manager for a large Contract Operations & Maintenance firm.
Education: University of Wisconsin – Madison College of Engineering, Qualified Commissioning
Process Provider, other college level courses in Business Administration
Accreditations and Licenses:
- Certified Energy Auditor – Association of Energy Engineers
- Building Energy Simulations Analyst – Association of Energy Engineers
- CFC Universal Certification
- US Navy, steam plant operations
Professional Affiliations: ASHRAE, AEE, BCA and NAPE
Thomas O. Murphy, P.E., CEM
Mr. Murphy provides over 20 years engineering design and construction experience of commercial and industrial facilities. He is a Professional Engineer who processes a strong aptitude for analysis, and task implementation. He has extensive experience with upgrading boiler/boiler feed/condensate return systems, pumping systems, motors, variable frequency drives, chiller and cooling tower retrofits. His engineering design and system optimization capabilities for commercial and industrial facilities was utilized to perform energy audits and analyses of building systems, providing recommendations for more efficient equipment/systems for upgrade and/or replacement based on energy savings ROI cost payback.
Education: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey
Bachelor and Master of Engineering, both degrees earned in 1992
Licenses: Professional Engineering VA, MD, DC; VA Master HVAC, Certified Energy Manager®
Professional Affiliations: ASHRAE, AEE, ISPE, AGC, MCAA, Hydraulic Institute
Computer Skills: AutoCAD, HVAC Solution Pro, All Microsoft Office Programs & Microsoft Project
Joseph J. Nichols
Mr. Nichols has established himself over a 20 (+) year career as a Senior Manager specializing in operational management. He has held successful positions in the DC area as Chief Operating Officer, Director – Physical Operations, Director of Operations for Property Management Company, Purchasing Manager, Branch Manager and a District Sales Manager. This varied background has led to his ability to successfully review current situations, evaluate processes, which leads to directing and overseeing the development and implementation of effective system changes. He is accomplished in process design and improvement, operations, facility management warehousing, procurement, sales, customer service, business development and management. Over twenty years of full P&L responsibility, he has a proven record of teambuilding, strategic partnering, and long-term planning. Mr. Nichols has lead successful executive level sales, operations, quality, and productivity campaigns in a corporate environment where growth and accountability were paramount.
Education: The Catholic University of America from 1976-1980
Majored in Business Administration.
Christopher J. Holman, Mechanical Engineer
Mr. Holman is a recent graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is proficient in AutoCADD and those skills have been utilized on multiple projects since joining the TRC Team. A self-starter who is assisting all the engineers with various projects gaining experience and providing his own knowledge and insight.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering. Graduation: May 20, 2013
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Certification: Maryland State Board for Professional Engineers – DLLR
October, 2013: Certified Engineer-In-Training, Certification # 44765
Jordan Miller, Mechanical Engineer
Mr. Miller is a recent graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He utilizes skills with AutoCADD, Load Calculations, and Technical Writing to perform design engineering for many projects since joining the TRC Team. A self-starter who is assisting all the engineers with various types of projects, gaining experience and providing his own knowledge and insight.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering. Graduation: May 20, 2016
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Debbie Benson, Business Manager
Mrs. Benson brings over 23 years in financial services to the TRC team including five years in Business Banking. She serves as Treasurer for several not-for-profit organizations within the community.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Shepherd University
John Koval, Office Manager
Mr. Koval brings 30 plus years of administrative and mechanical experience to the TRC team. Navy trained with a background in hospital administration, shallow and deep diving systems and hyperbaric medicine. John served on the Board of Directors of a local Condominium Association, serving as Treasurer for 3 years and President for 3 years, providing leadership and bringing fiscal stability to the organization.
Elisabeth Kirk, Director of Marketing
As Director of Marketing for TRC Engineering (Ted Ross Consulting, LLC), Mrs. Kirk puts to use her skills and experience in community outreach, recruiting and networking. Mrs. Kirk has worked as Director of Community Services for Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman, CPAs (GRF). While at GRF she was responsible for recruiting employees to volunteer at local shelters and organized fundraising events for local charities. Prior to GRF, Mrs. Kirk worked for Coldwell Banker as a Franchise Development Coordinator, where she created presentations for sole proprietors and helped develop a program to track the real estate market for the Northeast Region of Coldwell Banker.
Mrs. Kirk is also active in the Property Management Association and is involved with the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the Community Associations Institute as well as Apartment and Office Building Association, and the Capital Chapter of the International Facilities Management Association.
Ted Ross, Principal
Mr. Ross leads the team with 30 plus years of experience in mechanical systems; Navy trained, he has been locally groomed in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, computerized mechanical systems monitoring and boilers. Ted is active in various trade and professional associations and a frequent speaker on energy management, aging piping systems and aging building infrastructure at industry conferences and trade shows. He is an instructor for the National Association of Power Engineers Educational Foundation and the Building Owners and Managers Institute. He has also lectured on high volume air conditioning and building issues at the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of the Community Associations Institute where he is currently a Board Member. He is a regular speaker at various training seminars with the Property Managers Association. Ted has served as the National President of the National Association of Power Engineers and currently is chairmen of the technical advisory board giving annual presentations and updates to the delegates at the National Convention. He is also a Judge for the “engineer of the year awards’ for Property Management Association, Building Owners and Managers Association and the National Association of Power Engineers.
