“What is gratifying for me is when I share innovation or business insights that help people get results and make a difference.”
Phil has had a direct link professionally to the automotive industry for 20 years. Currently he is Executive Vice President & Chief Business Development Officer for NeXovation, a technology company and entrepreneurial conglomerate based in Nashville, TN. NeXovation has over 150 patents pending or approved, including global applications for flatwire and a compressed natural gas (CNG) application for the vehicle powertrain for use in the auto space.
Prior to NeXovation, Phil spent two years in an exciting opportunity with Fulton Innovation, serving as business development executive to the automotive industry. A division of Amway Global, Fulton has nearly 800 patents in the wireless charging space, and he was responsible for taking this new technology directly to the OEMs and selected Tier 1 suppliers.
Phil has unique experience in the automotive value chain. He launched a national consulting practice for $500 million accounting-consulting firm Crowe Horwath and served as co-leader. Based in Oak Brook, Illinois, the team focused on the entire value chain in the automotive space, including OEMs, suppliers, dealers, and private equity firms. Prior to that, he led business development and served as a senior automotive industry advisor during his tenure at Ernst & Young, Marsh & McLennan, and IRN in Cleveland, Detroit and Grand Rapids. Also, he had a highly-recognized career with the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation in sales and sales management in their Milwaukee, Detroit and Chicago offices.
Nearly all of Phil’s career has been spent in positions that were newly-created, and he has achieved superb results in each role, each time. Besides automotive, Phil’s other OEM experience includes office furniture and consumer products.
Phil is a frequent public speaker and has numerous articles published about global business issues, the changing landscape in the automotive industry, and the future state of public education. He serves as the industry and technology analyst for WJRW NewsTalk 1340, and he does a regular automotive blog for their website www.1340wjrw.com.
Phil graduated with a BA from Grand Valley State University and holds an MBA in Finance from Central Michigan University. He and his wife Sally and son C.J. live in Cascade Township near Grand Rapids, MI.
Things About Phil You Probably Didn’t Know:
- He’s a singer-songwriter with four CDs and over thirty-five songs published, having collaborated with some of the best musicians in Michigan.
- Over the past ten years, Phil has helped raise nearly $250,000 for local charities including Kids’ Food Basket, Grand Rapids Public Schools and Ronald McDonald House.
- Phil made the basketball team as a walk-on during his freshman year in college, and he still plays basketball…sometimes with guys half his age.