David Phillips

In 1994, Dave became the first Chief Executive Officer of Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI), which is responsible for facilitating the economic revitalization of downtown Cincinnati. Dave retired from DCI December 31, 1999 to devote full time to Cincinnati Works Inc. and his Corporate interests. Dave and his wife, Liane, founded Cincinnati Works in 1996, an organization dedicated to reducing the number of people living below the poverty level by assisting them to strive towards self-sufficiency through work.

Prior to joining DCI, Dave was with the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen for 32 years. Beginning as a Staff Accountant/Auditor, he retired in 1994 from the position of Firm-wide Managing Partner - Industry (R&D). During his tenure with Arthur Andersen, Dave served numerous community organizations, while holding senior leadership positions with the Firm. Dave is a graduate of the University of Dayton and is the past Chairperson of its Board of Trustees. He has received honorary degrees of Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Dayton and the College of Mount St. Joseph.

Dave volunteers for many diverse organizations and serves as a Board member for three regulated public companies. He also serves as a consultant, advisor, and/or a board member for a number of closely held private companies. He has served as President/Chairman, Board Member or Trustee of countless business, human service, education/civic, religious, healthcare, and political organizations, as well as holding multiple posts within these organizations. In continuing his public service, he and his wife, Liane, work for Cincinnati Works as $1-a-year employees.

Among the many honors Dave has received are Volunteer of the Year for the Children’s Psychiatric Center, Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee, Fundraiser of the Year from the Association of Fundraisers, the Allocations Leadership Award from the Community Chest, the Community Service Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Distinguished Service Award from the UC College of Business, the Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award from the UD School of Business, the Bishop Hughes Award from Thomas Moore College, and has received the Presidents Award from both the Downtown Council and the Public Relations Society of America. He and his wife, Liane, were honored as Cincinnatians of the Year by the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and they received the Visiting Nurse Association’s Caring Award.

Liane and Dave have three sons and eight of grandchildren. Their favorite pass-time is visiting someplace they have never been.

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