|
Close Ties: Seaver Alumnus Eyes Congressional Seat
Visionary: Tim Phillips
By Jerry Derloshon
Tim Phillips hopes to become the
first Seaver grad to be elected to the United States
House of Representatives
Remember the days when a young person could go to
college, get a good education, meet his or her future
spouse, and start a fabulously successful career? Well,
that scenario is as real today as ever. Take the case of
Pepperdine alumnus, Timothy (Tim) C. Phillips.
Following his 1988 graduation from Seaver College, a
Pepperdine friend, Mike Zupan, introduced Tim to his
future wife, Kristen. After moving to Oregon in 1992,
Tim and Kristen had their first date: sailing a small
boat on the Willamette River under Portland's famous
Rose Festival fireworks. They married just over a year
later, and have joined their passions to create a
powerful team for Oregon state politics.
When the former Sacramento resident moved to Oregon,
he launched Phillips & Company Securities in
Portland. Between long hours with the business and
devoting precious free time to numerous nonprofit
organizations, he and Kristen had two children, Bradford
and McCall.
Phillips' close friend and former roommate at
Pepperdine, James Smith, joined the securities company
as chief financial officer. Their friendship formed
strong roots during the summer conference for incoming
freshmen-even before the start of their first year in
college.
In May 2003, Phillips filed papers to run for
Congress in the 2004 election. His campaign colors are,
you might have guessed, Pepperdine blue and orange. And
his friend, Smith, serves as his campaign treasurer. If
his bid is successful, Phillips will be the first Seaver
College grad to be elected to the United States House of
Representatives.
The two friends have extensive connections to
Pepperdine. Smith's two brothers, Jonathan and Jason,
are both Seaver graduates. Smith's wife, Lynnelle (Fox)
Smith, and Lynnelle's sister, Melissa, are Seaver
alumni, along with Melissa's brother, Stuartt, who
graduated in May 2003. And still more Pepperdine alumni
living in Oregon are on the "Phillips for
Congress" campaign train, including Mike Zupan and
Scott Fouser, who serve on his finance and strategy
campaign committee.
Phillips, a Republican, believes he was successful in
launching his business in Oregon because the state
"was a great place to live and work when I arrived
twelve years ago." But, now, with Oregon's
unemployment running the highest in the nation, he and
his wife see serving in Congress as a way to try and
return the state to better times.
The idea to enter politics was seeded when he and a
number of his friends put together a Political Action
Committee (PAC) in 2002 to back candidates who were
supportive of schools and economic job growth in the
state. Phillips also served on the Finance Committee for
the 2002 campaign of Jack Roberts for governor, and was
a member of the re-election team for United States
Senator Gordon Smith. In speaking with Senator Smith and
United States Representative Greg Walden about how he
could best serve Oregon, they encouraged Phillips to run
for Congress. "Help us help Oregon," they told
him.
Those experiences awakened him to the possibilities
of achieving a seat in the House of Representatives, and
he is committed to realizing that goal. The media is
beginning to take note, and the political community
around the state is seriously considering his stance on
the issues. On his campaign's Web site (http://phillipsforcongress.com),
Phillips tackles several of his political proposals.
Regarding the nation's War on Terrorism, Phillips
acknowledges the danger present in the United States.
"We have an enemy-a well-funded and elusive
enemy-who is looking to undermine our freedom, economy,
and way of life." In order to act on the rising
stakes, Phillips suggests necessary steps to win the war
against terror, including cutting off the terrorists'
funding, applying pressure to nations who seek to harbor
terrorists, and stopping terrorists and their supporters
before they strike again.
On tax cuts, Phillips says he is determined to work
hard in Congress to make President Bush's tax cuts on
working families permanent. "By making the tax cuts
permanent," he explains, "families can count
on long-term savings and better plan for their
future."
Phillips also stands strong in his belief that
education is, and should remain, a top priority for the
government- especially in Oregon. Being a parent,
Phillips understands the drive to acquire an excellent
education for children.
"The best way to ensure that our children are
getting the quality education they need and
deserve," he says, "is to increase education
control at the local level." By increasing local
control and accountability in the education system,
Phillips hopes to attain "a better education and a
better tomorrow for our students."
In the midst of the activity surrounding his personal
and professional life, Phillips has maintained close
ties to Pepperdine. He and his wife made a gift to the
Center for Communication and Business, and each year
Phillips hosts a reception for local alumni, parents,
and friends, coinciding with the basketball team's away
game versus University of Portland.
Tim Phillips' After Graduation "To-Do" List
- Move to some place really beautiful, like Oregon
- Marry someone that a college friend introduces you
to
- Start up your own business
- Have two children
- Hire a college friend
- Make your business successful
- Help deserving nonprofit organizations
- Make a gift to your alma mater's
Communication/Business Building
- Entertain the basketball team each year and other
area alumni
- Earn a seat in Congress...
|
