Business Of The Year

Business Of The Year
Local Firm Honored For Years Of Service To Community
By Robin Miller
Article Launched: 04/20/2008

In September, Vacaville's Phillippi Enginneering will mark its 25th anniversary in business, but it won't be the first celebration of the year for the firm.

That's because Phillippi Engineering was honored as Business of the Year Saturday night at the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce's annual Directors Ball.

In announcing the Business of the Year award, the chamber noted Tom Phillippi, president of the local firm, has been active with the chamber as a member and community partner for the past 20-plus years and touted his service as a former chairman of the Chamber Board.

"Tom knows the value of what the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce can do for community," read a press release on the award.

For his part, Phillippi was thrilled with the honor saying he views it as a "recognition of our company philosophy of giving back to the community."

The number of local projects and events that have benefited from Phillippi's involvment are too numerous to count but include help with building and re-building the Great Wonders playground at Andrews Park, the Three Flags Monument in downtown Vacaville, and the city's skate park. The firm also did civil engineering work for Stars Recreation Center and the new Nut Tree development.

Phillippi also was active with the chamber's task force on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

And through it all, he found time to be active in the community on a more personal level, coaching youth sports, serving with a local Rotary club and volunteering service with Habitat for Humanity.

Affordable housing needs are a hot button issue for Phillippi, who laments that his two married daughters and his grandchildren live in different community out of state where "things are more affordable."

For Phillippi, the idea of service to the community just was always a part of also being in business here.

"My wife and I have raised five kids here. It's a great community and place to grow up," he said. "You can't go out to a restaurant and not run into someone you know. It still has that small town feel. So giving back is a pleasure."

And he is quick to credit his wife, Sylvia, with the success of Phillippi Engineering.

"Back in the early days, she would come in and volunteer too," he recalled. "She'd set up the play pen for the kids and do the typing and all that. She was a huge part of everything."

The Business of the Year award was presented to Phillippi during a gala ball at the Yin Ranch Saturday night.

In addition, Frank Newton (Security-Shred) and Gigi Warshawsky (Food Safety Specialist) were honored as Ambassadors of the Year.

Out-going chair Debi Tavey was honored and in-coming chair Patsy Van Ouwerkerk was also recognized.