As a day-one employee, Phil began his gaming and hospitality career as the Executive Director of the Tribal Gaming Authority for the Kalispel Tribe. During his tenure with Tribal Gaming, Phil built a department that would become the model for all other tribal gaming agencies.  He established an unprecedented, collaborative culture between the gaming authority and gaming operations to ensure protection of the tribe’s assets.

In 2007, Phil was promoted to the role of Assistant General Manager at Northern Quest and was involved with all operations for the growing resort.  During this time, Northern Quest experienced a significant casino expansion, as well as the addition of a 250 room AAA Four-Diamond hotel.  Northern Quest is one of only 32 hotels in Washington to receive this prestigious award.  Phil’s leadership was paramount in the evolution of Northern Quest becoming an award-winning resort.

In 2010, Phil was promoted to the position of General Manager.  In a down economy, Phil has managed a financially profitable organization, while continuing to grow it into a true, resort destination.  He was instrumental in bringing a successful Summer Concert Series to the property, drawing tens of thousands of attendees annually.  More than anything, Phil is extremely proud of the unmatched levels of employee satisfaction his leadership has helped bring to the more than 1700 employees at Northern Quest.

Phil’s current role is that of the Chief Operating Officer for KTEA.  He was promoted to COO in 2014.  Under his leadership as COO, the Tribe purchased and opened the Kalispel Golf and Country Club in the spring of 2016.  The Kalispel Golf and Country Club is the premier semi-private golf course in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.  Several small businesses have been launched as well under Phil’s leadership, including the Kalispel Upholstery Service, Kalispel Linen Service and Kalispel Delivery Service.  Aside from diversifying the Tribe’s business portfolio, Phil also continues to serve as the guiding force in ensuring Kalispel Tribal businesses continue to grow and flourish.  Phil has received numerous accolades including being named one of Inland Business Catalyst Magazine’s “Power 50” – the most influential people in the community, for the past four years.

Prior to 2000, Phil spent ten years teaching and coaching basketball in the Mary Walker School District, a rural community in Northeast Washington.  It was during this time Phil fine-tuned his leadership and development skills, which to this day, he continues to emphasize in his day-to-day management philosophy.

Phil is a graduate of North Central High School in Spokane, Washington.  Recently, North Central recognized Phil as a Distinguished Alumnus.  Phil received his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Eastern Washington University.  In 2002, Phil was named top-of-class in his graduating class from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. 

Phil has served on many professional and non-profit boards, to include: the Red Cross Board of Directors for the Inland Northwest Region, Board of Directors for Camas Path Foundation, Eastern Washington University Foundation Board, and more. He was honored on November 15, 2012 at the Red Cross Hometown Heroes Luncheon with the 2012 Spirit of the Red Cross Award for his role in helping to develop opportunities for members of the Kalispel Tribe and his support of our region and area nonprofit organizations. 

Phil is a member of the Kalispel Tribe. Tribal Council Chairman Glen Nenema proudly recognizes Phil’s accomplishments and says, “Phil was one of the Kalispel Tribe’s first college graduates and has worked for Northern Quest for more than ten years.  His rise to this level of leadership is a true success story for our tribe and the realization of what our vision was all about.”