Phil Ohl

Managing Director

Tri-Cities Angel Alliance

What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months?

Working in partnership with Fuse SPC to bring Deal Flow to Tri-Cities investors.

On which boards do you currently serve? With which nonprofits do you volunteer?

Current volunteer boards: Tri-Cities Angel Alliance, managing director; Fuse SPC, chairman of the board; Scouting, Blue Mountain Council; WSU-TC Advisory Council; Regional Chamber Ag Council; Red Cross Disaster Action Team. In addition, I serve on boards for several for-profit companies.

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

Working the grill at the Wendy’s on East Second Avenue in downtown Spokane when I turned 16 in 1982. I learned how to clean the grease trap, how to lock my bike to the dumpster ... and to stay in school.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Marry well. A good life partner will bring out the best of you. I know my wife Diane has brought out the best of me.

Name one item on your bucket list.

My wife Diane and I would like to make a round-the-world trip ... without airplanes.

Name one thing about yourself you want people to know.

I’m always curious and always looking for interesting adventures.

What is your favorite Tri-Cities restaurant and what do you order there?

A craft Negroni cocktail at Solar Spirits Tasting Room on The Parkway in Richland.

If you had one wish for the Tri-Cities, what would it be?

Tri-Cities recognized nationally as a productive, creative environment for startup businesses, particularly in the areas of ag/food tech, med tech, nuclear tech and energy. The Institute for Northwest Energy Futures at Washington State University Tri-Cities is a great model for all these emerging industry sectors.