RALPH WOOD SERVICES INC

SURVEYORS AND MARINE CONSULTANTS

 

 

Resume

  • May 1993 to present                 Ralph Wood Services, Inc.                          Owner and operator of a Marine Surveying and Consulting firm.  Currently conducting all types of cargo surveys and pre-shipment inspections, including frozen, refrigerated and perishable products, rejections claims, yachts, steel, paper and specializing in investigation of missing, stolen or lost shipments.  Also conducting loss prevention surveys for transportation related problems to assist in preventing damage and pilferage and reducing existing problems.  Conducting pre-risk inspections regarding security of distribution centers, consolidation locations and general warehousing.

  • June 1990 to May 1993               Toplis and Harding Inc. North America                         Managing Director of the Marine Division and Managing Director on the Board of Directors for Toplis and Harding Inc. North America.  Responsibilities included direct supervision of all marine personnel and departments in the United States and Canada, including surveying, adjusting and recovery, all domestic and international marketing, mergers and acquisition regarding marine and profit an loss of the division.  Handled surveys on specialty items including Fine Arts, High-tech items, Security Investigations and Loss Control Services.

  • October 1983 to June 1990            Toplis and Harding Inc.                          Director, Lloyd's Agency New York.  Manager, Northeast Region for Toplis and Harding Inc. Direct supervision of offices in Baltimore, Boston, Norfolk and Wilmington, Delaware in addition to New York Marine Department.  Responsible for all assignments, production, and direct supervision of settlement of claims and recovery for region.  handled marketing for region and part of international marketing program under supervision of Vice Chairman.  Conducted surveys on steel, Fine Arts, Yachts, Concentrates, refrigerated and frozen cargoes and High-tech items.  Personally conducted Security Investigations and Surveys and organized a national Loss Control Services Unit.

  • November 1967 to October 1983    Toplis and Harding Inc.    Staff surveyor and inland marine adjuster for the (10) years prior to becoming Branch Manager in 1977.  Handled various adjusting duties and cargo surveys of all types, out-turn and condition surveys, yacht damage surveys as well as investigations.  handled contract investigations for the State of Maryland involving their self insured fidelity program for all state agencies.   Jointly investigated theft losses from the Port of Baltimore and the Conrail system with local law enforcement agencies and railroad security specialists.  Attended various seminars conducted by Toplis and Harding as well as private agencies and major clients.

  • 1967 and Prior                                         Baltimore/Washington Area     Several years as an investigator for civil and insurance matters subsequent to serving in he United States Army as an investigator for a Security Intelligence Unit of the National Security Agency.  Also served as an apprentice surveyor with Ford Mercer and Associates handling cargo and yacht surveys.                                             


PROJECTS AND PRESENTATIONS

  • Personally organized and conducted seminars in London, Copenhagen, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo for various clients, and potential clients, including the leading marine insurance companies, brokers and importers/exporters, regarding marine transportation, security in transit, loss prevention and rejections claims, as well as associated subjects.

  • Conducted educational seminars for employees on national and regional basis.

  • Organized and conducted a one week seminar in New York for overseas insurance companies regarding survey, adjusting and recovery, as well as loss control services, which was attended by leading marine insurance companies.

  • A member of the panel for Worldwide Shipping's 1992 seminar in New York on "Logististics" regarding loss control and transportation related problems.

  • Conducted investigations with the Maryland State Police, Port Police and US Customs regarding losses of high-tech equipment for port, truck, container, and rail facilities.  Instituted reporting standards and forms for local surveyors and adjuster for reporting theft and pilferage to law enforcement agencies.

  • Developed and implemented a marketing plan for all North American offices of Toplis and Harding Inc. including contacts, reporting formats and established a computer data base to manage the contacts.

 

 

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Last modified: December 30, 2002