Phil Ohl, one of the Mid-Columbia's leading boosters for the region’s business community and entrepreneurs, is the 2026 Tri-Citian of the Year. 

Ohl’s achievements were celebrated at the annual awards banquet on April 30. The award is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service above self and show appreciation to efforts exerted in building community through service.  

From his work with tech startups and the community’s angel investors to his support of multiple community organizations with his time and resources, Ohl’s involvement has touched nearly every aspect of the Tri-Cities.  

He was named a 2026 Person of Influence by the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business earlier this year. 

"The long list of volunteer boards, committees and initiatives Phil has served demonstrates the impact he has directly and indirectly had on many thousands of Tri-Citians,” according to Ohl’s nomination. “Our community is a better place with an engaged selfless leader like Phil Ohl.” 

Ohl came to the Tri-Cities in 1987 to work as an engineer for Westinghouse on the Hanford site. He went on to launch Vista Engineering Technologies Inc. in 1997, leading it until 2014.  

He sold the company to Kurion Inc. in 2016 and embarked on his current roles as managing partner for Entropy LLC, which advises tech startups, and as founding director of investment group Tri-Cities Angel Alliance. 

“Phil is one of my first calls to support our local entrepreneurs. He has the experience, the savvy and the heart to help others make the Tri-Cities a better place,” said Diahann Howard, executive director of the Port of Benton, in Ohl’s nomination. 

Ohl currently sits on nine volunteer boards involved in issues ranging from education, business, housing and youth development. In addition, he and his wife Diane along with their children established the Ohl Family Foundation, which has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to organizations supporting youth, the arts and outdoor recreation.  

Nine past Tri-Citian of the Year winners, plus more than a dozen community leaders, endorsed Ohl’s nomination. 

“Phil is an advocate for community in the broadest sense, working to bring people together to lift the quality of life for all,” said Brian Ace, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties, in the nomination.