The Pickaway County Park District is excited to welcome Jeff Phillips as our newest Pickaway County Park Board of Commissioners!
Jeff Phillips and wife, Kari Hammer-Phillips, have been residents of Pickaway County for 30 years. He has served as the executive director of the Pickaway County Family YMCA since April 2013.
He worked for the Pickaway County Educational Service Center from 2009-2013, providing marketing, public relations and communication services to the ESC and Circleville City and Westfall Local school districts and Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center. Prior to working with school districts, Jeff owned and operated Mencken Communications Group, LLC, a Columbus-based marketing and communications company. He began his professional life as a newspaper reporter and editor, working for newspapers in Medina, Ohio; Bay City, Michigan; and Columbus.
A Grand Rapids, Michigan native, Phillips and his three brothers were raised by parents who were avid outdoor enthusiasts. Family activities included camping, hiking, ice skating, snow skiing, fishing and hunting. In fact, Jeff learned to ice skate and ski at age 3. Jeff and Kari have been avid campers and hikers over their 36-year marriage.
Boxer dogs are another passion for Jeff and Kari. They have been breeders and exhibitors of champion Boxers under the Logan Elm Boxers kennel name since 1991. They are members of the Miami Valley Boxer Club and American Boxer Club.
A shared love among Jeff and his brothers is athletics, as they participated in ice hockey, ski racing, baseball, football, track and rugby. Jeff has served as a high school football coach for 21 years.
In addition to the parks commission, Jeff serves on the boards of Pickaway County Community Action (PICCA) and Foundations4Youth. He is a member of the Pumpkin Show Parade Committee and Circleville Sunrise Rotary.