Deborah Grubbe

Representative Examples of Engagement Experience

As an operations executive for a chemical multinational, managed a suite of global manufacturing assets – multiple locations and thousands of employees.  Improved production in one facility to utility and yield levels never before achieved.  In another asset, improved current utility and performance enough to delay a multimillion dollar capital expenditure for over 5 years.  Managed overall engineering processes, as well as safety, materials procurement, IT operations and maintenance and operations improvements. 

Served as the engineering manager for large multinational business.  Managed the total engineering function of capital planning, budgeting, and expenditures, contractor relationships, maintenance and energy improvements, project management and execution of large projects, and site small project support for 25 manufacturing locations.   Managed a large, green field, new technology project in Europe. Worked with design and construction contractors on corporate wide, work process improvements.

Advised a western government on the project management, safe operation and eventual demolition of the facilities that demilitarized their chemical weapons stockpile.  Worked with the military and contractors to address the scale-up and safety needs of new chemical destruction technologies.

For a large chemical company, led a regional engineering project office that provided small project execution and support for 12 manufacturing sites.  Was accountable for client relationships, project outcomes and personnel development for over 200 engineers and designers.  Project size ranged from USD 250K to 10 million.

After a serious mishap that involved loss of multiple lives, was asked to provide advice to a government agency in safety culture, in contractor management and in safe operations.  The goal was to successfully complete the program construction without further serious incidents.

Education and Certifications

BS Chemical Engineering, Honors Program with Highest Distinction – 1977 – Purdue University (Indiana) 

Graduate Certificate in Chemical Engineering – 1978 – University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (Winston Churchill Fellowship)

Licensed Professional Engineer, Delaware #6330, 1986 - present

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt - 2002

Chartered Engineer, United Kingdom, 2005 – present

Emeritus Member, Center for Chemical Process Safety - 2010