Jeff Phillips assumed the duties of executive director of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States on December 8, 2014. With 50,000 members, Washington-based ROA is a congressionally chartered corporation to promote the development and execution of a military policy for the U.S. that will provide adequate national security. Since its founding in 1922, ROA is the premier advocate for Reserve Component equipment, training, manning, professional development, family care, and employment rights. Through its Service Members Law Center, ROA offers expert legal information on employment, military voting rights and other legal issues.

Now retired from the Army, Major General Phillips last served as the deputy commanding general (U.S. Army Reserve) of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, at Fort Eustis, Va. In this part-time position, he was responsible for ensuring that the Army Reserve’s requirements and capabilities were reflected in Army training and training doctrine.

In his previous civilian position, Phillips, who lives in Leesburg, Va., formed and directed the federal sales division for medical device manufacturer Smiths Medical, a division of Smiths Group.

From 2011 to 2013, General Phillips served as a part-time reservist on the Army Staff in the section responsible for human resources. From 2009 until 2011, he was deputy commanding general (rear) of the 3^rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

General Phillips, a former deputy chief of public affairs of the Army, was commissioned in the Regular Army as a second lieutenant of armor in 1979. His service includes assignments in Afghanistan, the Balkans, Egypt, Honduras, Israel, Iraq, and Germany, as well as the U.S.  He commanded an M-1 Abrams tank company in the 2^nd Armored Division. In nearly 37 years on active and reserve duty, he served in operational, communications, and logistic staff positions from battalion through Army headquarters.

Throughout his military career, General Phillips has been a supporter of health programs and initiatives within the military community. His 3^rd Infantry Division team was recognized for excellence in providing behavioral healthcare, including telehealth technology.  On the Department of the Army staff, he managed the service’s programs to provide efficient and caring Reserve soldier medical processing.

His federal service includes civilian appointments as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs and White House liaison in the Department of Veterans Affairs under President George W. Bush, and as communications director and subcommittee staff director in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Phillips co-authored America’s First Team in the Gulf. Published in 1992, this illustrated history of the Army’s 1^st Cavalry Division in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm used photographs taken by the Army public affairs soldiers he led.

His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star medals and the Army Parachutist Badge.  He shares in the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization while he served with them in the Middle East.

Phillips holds a master of arts degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College, a master of arts degree in adult education and human resources development from The University of Texas at Austin, and a bachelor of arts degree in journalistic studies from the University of Massachusetts.