Mar. 13, 2008 at 11:47am
Michael Phillips honored
Russell Investments Chairman Michael Phillips became a laureate member of Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame Wednesday evening in a Seattle event.
Phillips joined Tacoma-based Frank Russell Co. in 1981 at its London office and became the company's president in 1990. He then added the title of CEO to his job in 1993. He became the chairman of the board and CEO in 1999 and then "retired" to be just the board chairman in 2004.
He has now joined 83 other legendary regional business leaders in Junior Achievement of Washington's hall of fame.
He told an audience of several hundred attendees that the company likes Tacoma, an apparent reference to the current process that some fear might have the worldwide headquarters leave the South Sound as soon as 2013.
"The best thing you can possible do is work for a global company and do it while being in a small town," Phillips said. He acknowledged the honor and said he had been very fortunate to be the coach of an incredible team.
A large contingent of Tacoma-area business and government leaders attended the Seattle banquet, and were heartened to hear Phillips' appreciation for the current headquarters community. They also cheered when master of ceremonies Kemper Freeman Jr., owner of Bellevue Square shopping center, summed up the Phillips award by urging Russell Investments to "stay right where it is."
A decision on possible relocation or expansion within Tacoma is expected by the end of this year.
Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Pierce County by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff
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