Phil is an expert on organizational strategy, innovation, branding, and entrepreneurship, a successful entrepreneur, and a consultant to a wide range of for-profit and non-profit organizations. Currently, he is CEO of Upland, an innovation and growth strategy consulting firm that helps both large global organizations and emerging companies (including those in the health, wellness, sustainability, and “craft” consumer products arena here in the Great Lakes region) to grow, prosper, and make a positive difference.
Phil was previously CEO of Among Friends Baking Mixes, a natural/healthy baking mix company. Prior to that, he was Managing Director of GfK Strategic Innovation, the practice area formed by the acquisition of Arbor Strategy Group (ASG) by GfK Group, a leading global marketing research and consulting firm Phil founded ASG in 1998. Phil held previous positions as Chief Marketing Officer for Frank’s Nursery & Crafts, Senior VP Marketing for Little Caesars Pizza, President of Delicious/Frookie snack company, and Managing Director of Marketing Corporation of America’s consumer industry consulting practice. Phil started his career in brand management with the Quaker Oats Company.
In addition to his role with Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Phil currently serves in a board or leadership capacity with a variety of non-profit organizations, including the National Wildlife Federation, Michigan Wolfpack, the Michigan Economic Center, and the University of Michigan’s Zell-Lurie Commercialization Fund. Phil was appointed in 2021 to Governor Whitmer’s Council on Climate Solutions charged with helping develop and advise on the plan to get the state to climate neutrality.
Phil earned a BBA from the University of Michigan and a MBA from Harvard. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Phil’s favorite place in Michigan: Leelanau County/Sleeping Bear Dunes
