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 proudly serve at the City of Tacoma Prosecutor’s Office and produce 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.