Phil joined the Australian Department of Defence in 1977 and has been closely involved with major defence projects throughout his career with responsibilities spanning financial and business management, contract management and integrated logistics support.

From 1985 to 1988 Phil was posted to the US Navy International Logistics Control Office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Assistant Requisition Manager.  In this capacity he managed the requisitioning of defence materiel through US Foreign Military Sales arrangements on behalf of the RAN.  

On his return from the US he held several key positions, as business and finance adviser to major naval Defence projects, and then as Assistant Director in a budget co-ordination and financial policy section. 

He played a key role in developing the Request for Tender and contract documents, and in the subsequent commercial and technical negotiation with the preferred prime contractor.  He was also responsible for the development of innovative risk and cost sharing arrangements to reflect the developmental nature of the project and the proposed incentive payment structure, working closely with the local and overseas defence aerospace industry.

In late 1992, Phil was appointed Business Manager for the P3 Upgrade Project, where he was responsible for the management of all business, finance and contract elements of the project. 

In 1995 Phil won a masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland, majoring in Project Management.  He has lectured extensively on project management and risk management within the Department of Defence where he was responsible for developing, directing and presenting courses on business management for major defence projects.

In early 1995, Phil was promoted to Business Manager, ANZAC Ship Project, responsible for:

• management of the ANZAC Ship contract;
• contract configuration management;
• management of the Australia/New Zealand Treaty for ANZAC Ships;
• overall business management of the many supporting project contracts;
• liaison with local and international defence contractors and Government defence agencies;
• management of project earned value systems;
• foreign military sale arrangements; and
• ANAO audits into project value management processes and partnering agreements.

He was responsible for the overall management of the project and the project team, numbering in excess of fifty staff in four locations around the world.  He took the project from approval through Request for Tender and contract signature to delivery of aircraft to the RAAF in mid 1999.

During that time, Phil was promoted to Director, C-130 Systems Project Office responsible for a number of C-130 Hercules projects including C-130H and C-130J Electronic Warfare Self Protection and C-130H Life Extension.  His position required liaison with senior officials and managers in the Commonwealth and the defence aerospace industry.  He has briefed at the highest levels of the Department of Defence and is well known and respected in those circles.

Phil joined Broadleaf in August 1999.  His activities centre on the provision of advice, training and consultancy services in project management, risk management, and business management of projects.

A full c.v. is available on request.