Our Team
Ed Richman, Ph.D - President
In 1988, Ed started Richman Chemical, based on a unique business model using independent outsourcing to bring value to both emerging and established pharmaceutical and chemical companies. Ed started his career in synthetic fibers R&D with Celanese and Rohm & Haas, and worked at National Starch & Chemical for ten years, eventually serving as Director, Chemical Business. He completed his undergraduate work at Brown University and earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physics and Chemistry from the University of Chicago for molecular beam experiments.
Christopher Kulp - Chief Operating Officer
Chris has been with Richman Chemical since 1998. Along with his years of experience in development and manufacturing within the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, Chris has four U.S. patents and two European patents to his credit. He has contributed to successful commercialization efforts in the areas of natural and synthetic polymers, organometallics, and pharmaceuticals. Chris earned his M.S. in Polymer Chemistry from Stevens Institute of Technology after completing his undergraduate work in Chemistry at the University of Delaware. Additionally, he holds an MBA in Finance from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.
Keith Crumley - Manager, Product Sourcing
Keith has been with Richman Chemical since 1999. In his role as Manager, Product Sourcing, Keith combines his expertise in material sourcing, product management, account management and logistical planning. Keith holds a B.S. from Penn State University in Chemical Education.
Brian Watson - Director of Toll Manufacturing Services
Brian has specialized in handling toll manufacturing projects since joining Richman Chemical in 2001, further serving as a manager for this business area since 2008. His prior experience includes his work as production manager at a silanes/silicones U.S. manufacturing facility. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Philadelphia University.
Tim Willits - Project Manager, Custom Manufacturing
Tim joined Richman Chemical in 2021 as a project manager in the custom manufacturing division. Prior to working with Richman, Tim managed a technical sales and application development lab for a specialty chemicals distributor and worked in scale-up and R&D labs for a chemical supplier. Tim holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from Grove City College.
Rich Jasinski - Senior Project Manager, Custom Manufacturing
Rich rejoined Richman Chemical in January of 2019 as a project manager within the custom manufacturing division. He has a working familiarity with the company after previously serving as an intern from 2013 to 2015 while attending Ursinus College majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Spanish. After receiving his degrees in 2015, Rich began his post college career at West Pharmaceutical Services working within the formulation and development group testing and developing West propietary polymers. In January of 2017, he transferred into a new role with responsibility for post-processing related activities such as vision quality inspection, fill-finish support, and elastomer washing enhancement processes. Having worked at RCI in the past, Rich is excited to reconnect with the team and bring another pair of hands to support the custom manufacturing side of the business.
Tess Stranick - Project Manager, Custom Services
Tess joined RCI in April of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Services (HIS) achieved from St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia,PA) in 2021. Upon graduating, she joined Orasure Technologies (Bethlehem, PA) as a Formulations Specialist. While there, she accumulated a wealth of laboratory and scale-up experience, where she effectively scaled up a GMP colloidal gold process necessary for a Covid testing/diagnostic requirement.
John Averona - Project Manager, Custom Services
John completed his undergraduate in chemistry from Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) in 2018, followed up by a master’s in chemistry from Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA). John came to RCI in May of 2024 with experience in polymer scale-up during his stint as a Research Scientist at Armstrong Flooring (Lancaster, PA). Following that, John moved on to be a Senior Scientist with PPD/Thermofisher (Collegeville, PA) where he gained life science and GMP familiarity.
Brendan McNally - Manager, Media & Digital Communications
Brendan came on as Richman Chemical's marketing manager in early 2016. Before joining RCI, he coordinated marketing efforts for a small chain of animal hospitals, where he executed marketing plans and facilitated the opening of a new, satellite office. Previously, Brendan served in various marketing and business capacities over parts of 17 years at Acme Markets of Philadelphia. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
