Welcome Phil!

Phil has been a member of Clean Air since 2022. He’s worked in landscaping, restaurants and journalism, but graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he made everything from woodblock prints to social justice documentaries. Prior to joining Clean Air, Phil spent nearly a decade reporting on local government, pollution, police accountability, and the federal detention of immigrants in Western New York. He believes challenging power is not only noble work — but vital to building and upholding an equitable and just community.

Phil was born and raised in Buffalo, NY with two siblings and parents that instilled respect for art and advocacy. His father was a longtime host on Buffalo’s NPR member station, today working in the University at Buffalo press office and producing his own jazz show. His mother, a nurse, is a vocal labor leader. She has served as president of her union, CWA Local 1168, since 2012.

Phil currently resides in the city’s West Side, where you can typically find him in a cafe or under a tree with a book and notebook.