Phil has worked for 30 years in public relations and communications, primarily in and around the public sector. Today he is the director of communications for Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa’s largest school district. His previous work experience includes serving as deputy chief of staff of communications for Governor Chet Culver, as a spokesperson to U.S. Senators Tom Harkin and Max Baucus, and as a deputy to Illinois State Treasurer (and former Governor) Pat Quinn.

Phil is also an avid photographer, and his work has been exhibited around the country and published around the world. His photos have been shown recently at the Aperture Foundation’s gallery in New York City and the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel, CA. He is an American Photography 33 winner, and has earned awards at the Iowa State Fair photography salon, the Capture the Heart of America photography contest, and the Des Moines Exhibited show. Phil’s work has also appeared in publications such as National Geographic Traveler, the New York Times, Time, Vice, National Journal, Mother Jones, the Atlantic, Wired, Forbes, Vice, Berliner Zeitung, Le Monde, Roll Call, US News and World Report, and other news outlets.