20 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Exercise servant leadership, genuinely care about others, and focus on the details. 1 2 3 { LIFE LESSONS} There is no end to education. Be prepared for life-long learning. Be okay with taking on the hard things in life. “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm” – Publilius Syrus When Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk Technical College, came on board, his vision of the methodology and delivery of education was exactly the change that BTC needed. In my division (Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology and Transportation), we hadn’t been meeting the real needs of our industry partners. With his executive leadership and support we were able to “shake the snow globe” and create a model that started doing that. I was able to build a team of subject matter experts that understood our audience, listened to what they wanted and delivered a working product. Opening the Innovative Manufacturing Education Center (IMEC) at the Blackhawk Tech central campus location was an important part of that transformation. A facility where a student will experience a real-world environment. Where teaching the culture of industry was as important as the nuts and bolts. It was important to me and my team because we have a passion for our local employers. Family First! I lost my wife to cancer in September of 2024 and my mother in October of 2025. My wife and I had one son who now lives in Michigan along with one of my sisters, with another sister in Ohio and one in Janesville. I don’t have regrets, but I understand that time is precious. I need to take full advantage of the time I have left in appreciation of my family. HOW DID I GET HERE? success • challenges • life lessons • education • career • family • inspirations In my youth, I was the typical “tactile learner.” Not much of a reader (and even less of a speller). I’d rather be outside building, repairing or creating something. My dad was a mechanic, and we restored a 1964 Ford Falcon wagon when I was about 16. Then, as a young lad who knew everything at 17 years old, going into the U.S. Marine Corps gave me a much broader world view at a very young age. This was, of course, the beginning of my journey in things like discipline, attention to detail, and leadership – influences that are still with me to this day. Through all of that, I had a very strong mechanical aptitude, so it’s no surprise that I found my way into the trades. People in the trades are natural “teachers.” We’re always working with other technical individuals and learning from each other. Pride in craftsmanship is a very strong motivator for us. We love what we do and when someone takes an interest in that, we love to show what we can know and can do. So, I think my transition to delivering structured education was a natural one. It felt right. It was, however, starting a whole different career. • • GREG PHILLIPS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, FORWARD JANESVILLE DEAN EMERITUS, BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE { WORK EXPERIENCE } 2010 – 2025 Blackhawk Technical College 1996 – 2010 Master Electrician, IBEW Local 890 1983-1995 Maintenance Technician, Simmons Bedding Company 1978-1982 Corporal, United States Marine Corps I’m a Baby Boomer. I spent my career living to work. That’s who we are. I’d like to believe I managed a balance for my family, and I worked hard in order to have the ability to retire. I don’t have a lot of hobbies, so the opportunity to be involved in the things I’m passionate about, on my terms, is what the next chapter looks like right now. When it comes to workforce development, higher education is getting it. Industry partners like the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance (SMA) get it. Programs like Craftsman With Character and Youth Apprenticeship get it. Our K12 partners get it. My goal is to be a resource to start making connections for our area youth with business and industry that keeps our incoming workforce in Janesville. • • I passed up an advancement opportunity early in my career. I always regretted that. Since then, I’ve gone through every open door presented to me for advancement. I say that I’ve experienced five different careers over the years. I love the adage, “Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity.” I’ve been very lucky in my career.
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