Get to know Gordon Phillips, Food Outreach Board Member

After he retired, Gordon Phillips sought opportunities to become more involved in his community. He heard about Food Outreach from a friend, who introduced him to Julie Lock, Executive Director of Food Outreach. Gordon found Julie’s passion for the organization’s mission inspiring, and soon after, he joined the board.

Gordon’s background in healthcare made him an ideal fit for Food Outreach. He worked at BJC HealthCare for over 10 years as Director of Operations Engineering before moving to Numerof & Associates, a local healthcare strategy firm. “I was familiar with population health and the disparities between different socioeconomic groups in terms of what’s available from a healthcare standpoint—and the different outcomes for different groups. I wanted to get involved with organizations that work with the underserved, and I was drawn to the emphasis on food is medicine. The mission really resonated with me.”

Gordon also recognizes the many ways we serve our community. “There are a lot of valuable services we provide to our clients—but I think the most important service we provide is hope.” As a board member, Gordon brings his expertise to both the branding and technology committees. His professional background makes him an especially valuable advisor as Food Outreach works to upgrade its IT systems.

For Gordon, it’s the quality and passion of his fellow board members, staff, and volunteers that make Food Outreach such a unique and outstanding organization. “Food Outreach has more than a dedicated group of volunteers—they have a dedicated family of volunteers. The shared commitment of the volunteers and staff at Food Outreach has created a familial bond that is very special.”

Recently, Gordon helped recruit Adrian Moore, a family friend, to the Food Outreach board. They grew up in Connecticut, where their mothers taught at the same school and were dear friends. As adults, Gordon and Adrian both ended up in St. Louis and reconnected. With Adrian’s experience in retail and consumer insight, and her current role at Schnucks as the Senior Director of Merchandising Enablement and Supplier Diversity, Gordon knew she would be an asset to Food Outreach’s board. “One of the things I’m most proud of since joining the board is introducing Adrian to Food Outreach. I think she is going to do amazing things for the board.”

Now retired, Gordon likes to stay active. He serves on the board of Lift for Life Gym, is a member of the Saint Louis Rowing Club, plays pickleball, and is a cycling enthusiast. A music lover, Gordon enjoys the local music scene, including indie, bluegrass, and blues. He played in a garage rock band in the 1970s and still plays his acoustic guitars.