Phil is a third-generation pilot and second-generation air traffic controller. His professional aviation career began in 1991 when he joined the United States Navy and served for 10 years as an air traffic controller. Upon separation from Naval service, Phil began his FAA air traffic control career at Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) in 2001. He later transferred to Seattle ARTCC followed by Seattle Terminal Radar Approach Control in 2009. During his FAA career, Phil was an active member and representative in various rolls with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) including Principal Facility Representative (Seattle TRACON), National Metroplex Representative, National Performance Based Navigation Representative, and National Trajectory Based Operations Representative. Phil retired from Federal Service in December of 2023 after a combined 32 years of military and civil service.

In January of 2024, Phil accepted a staff position with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association as the Deputy Director of the Safety and Technology Department. This new roll will enable him to continue to support the NATCA membership while continuing to work in collaboration with Federal Agencies, Industry, System Users, Labor Unions, and Congress to ensure the US National Airspace System is the safest in the world.