Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Business Administration and Accounting > Haller Enterprise Institute

Entrepreneur of the Year 2002

William E. Phillips - a native of Sharon, PA and graduate of Sharon High School who earned his bachelor's degree from Thiel College in 1954 - is the owner, chairman and CEO of Niles Expanded Metals and Plastics, the company he purchased from Republic Corporation in 1985. Prior to the purchase, Phillips had worked for Republic since 1965, having served as director of marketing, vice president of sales vice president of purchasing, executive vice president, and finally, president for 10 years.

He belongs to several professional and civic organizations, including the Manufacturers' Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Information Institute Inc., the Eastgate Development and Transportation Association, and the Expanded Metal Manufacturers' Association, to which he was the founder.

He is the past president of the Niles Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the YMCA Board of Directors. He also served on the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation Board and has been sponsor and participant of an American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team. In 1983 Phillips received a citation and certificate of merit from the American Cancer Society.

Phillips resides in Warren, Ohio with his wife.