As Director of Public Policy at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Mike Phillips specializes in garnering and organizing local, national, and federal advocacy initiatives. He works to secure congressional support for enhancement legislation relating to the Historic Tax Credit (HTC), New Market Tax Credit and other community development incentives. Mike is a nationally recognized leader in advising advocates in delivering timely communication and key information to congressional offices on behalf of HTC. He helps advocates plan and coordinate in-district/state site-visits with members of congress and orchestrates DC lobby days on behalf of the Historic Tax Credit Coalition.
Prior to joining NTCIC in 2012, Mike was the President of Phillips Associates, Inc. a consulting firm specializing in the representation of national non-profits, for-profit industries, and national governing bodies in sports. Additionally, he served as a conservation consultant on transportation and historic preservation issues.
Mike began his public policy career with the National Recreation and Park Association, where for nine years, he successfully lobbied Congress for issues such as annual appropriations and permanent funding measures for public lands, urban parks, wildlife, historic preservation, and proposed reinvestment for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) federal energy revenues.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University and undertook graduate studies in American Politics and Comparative Politics at George Mason University. He is a former Advisory Board Member to George Mason University’s School of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies and a former Advocacy Advisor to the U.S. Tennis Association. Mike volunteers with Fairfax County (VA) Park Authority and was previously recognized by the City of Norfolk (VA) as one of the City’s “Most Outstanding Volunteers.” He is active with local and national youth leadership organizations and ministries, and he is a licensed youth soccer coach and trainer.