BIO

Philip was a Rhodes Scholar finalist who graduated with his doctorate from Oxford after obtaining three master’s degrees. He went on to produce documentaries with the BBC & ITV, and lecture at Oxford and the University of Washington, before going on to serve as a Captain Chaplain for the United States Air Force. He later became CEO at Terry Wise & Associates, a local real estate brokerage and consulting firm, and now now spends his time serving his community as a Commissioner for the Lakewood Planning Commission and candidate for the Lakewood City Council.  He is a proud member of the Lakewood Rotary, Steilacoom Kiwanis, and previously volunteered for eight years as a grief group facilitator for Mary Bridge Hospital.

My Air Force Values

Integrity First

Integrity first; this is my life’s cornerstone.  My experiences from CEO to Air Force Chaplain to Oxford lecturer have all taught me that I may not always be right, but I can always do the right thing, no matter the personal consequences.  I will bring that same “integrity first” principle to my continued public service on the Lakewood City Council.  My campaign is about placing people over politics, ethics over expediency, and I look forward to building our community with you by these lights.  Together, we can make Lakewood a place where everyone feels heard and respected.  That is what will ensure that Lakewood’s best days are ahead of us.

Service Before Self

I love serving the community and “service before self” has always guided my path.  I served as a Captain in the United States Air Force, which reinforced my dedication to our military community.  Now, I channel that ethos into being a Commissioner for the Lakewood Planning Commission and a candidate for Lakewood City Council, striving to ensure that our community’s needs always come first. While pursuing my JD at Seattle University School of Law, I have proudly served at the City of Tacoma Prosecutor’s Office, The Puyallup Tribe of Indians, and produced The Informed Citizen Podcast, aiming to inform citizens on the issues that matter most.

Excellence In All I Do

I aim to achieve excellence in all I do, and work to impart that principle daily to my teenage son.  It’s about showing him, and one another, that excellence is much more than winning; it’s about effort, resilience, and integrity.  These principles are crucial to how we must lead and govern.  We must expect best efforts from our elected officials, and foster a culture of accountability and transparency that allows all of us to be informed and engage well.  I believe that with an unwavering commitment to doing our best, we can collectively ensure that our city and its council reflects the high standards we expect and deserve.