Phil Glynn is the vice president of economic development for Travois and has worked here for more than six years. His wife is Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Bland Glynn, and his in-laws are Travois owners David Bland and Marianne Roos (Not to mention brother-in-law Greg Bland, cousins… we’ll stop there to keep this short.)
Phil works to help Native communities develop successful health care, businesses and infrastructure projects. He will explain how New Markets Tax Credits can be used to help finance these projects next week at the 13th Annual Travois Indian Country Affordable Housing and Economic Development Conference. He’d also love to tell you more about fun things to do in Kansas City, if you are joining us, because he’s lived here nearly all his life.
Read on to learn more about him.
- What’s your educational background? I have a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in public administration and have attended numerous economic development finance training courses.
- How do your past experiences help you in your current position? My master’s degree program gave me a very solid theoretical foundation about the right way to do economic development. It has to be community-based to be successful. That has helped me follow the lead of our clients in designing projects and programs that will work on their reservations.
- What places in Indian Country have you enjoyed visiting and why? At the risk of offending my other clients, I will be specific. I love New Mexico. All of it.
- What is one thing you would like Travois staff and clients to know about you? I love coming to work every day.
- What is one of your favorite economic development projects that you have worked on and why? The Lac du Flambeau Community Dental Facility is one of my favorites because it combines patient care, education and economic development. It is a great example of how our clients achieve multiple goals in one project.
- What did you want to be as a kid? A Supreme Court justice.
- What talent do you wish you had? To dunk a basketball.
- What do you like to do when you aren’t working? Build Lego buildings with my children.
- What is your favorite thing to do in Kansas City? Sit in coffee shops and watch people.
- What kind of music do you like? What is your favorite band? All kinds. My favorite band is The Roots.
- What is your favorite TV show of all time? Favorite movie? “The West Wing” and “Michael Clayton.”
- Is there anything else you’d like to share? Have a nice day.