Dr. Phillip Knight Email and Phone Number

I host the award winning show entitled "Food First - Michigan" on WJR on Sundays 9 PM. The podcast version is available Apple, Google Play, iHeart or at http://wwwfoodfirstmi.org. Food security is a 'we' problem - it isn't partisan or bi-partisan - it is a non-partisan challenge that impact education and health outcomes. Food Insecurity impacts our workforce issue as well. Let's start here: 'If a child isn't well fed, they will never be well read." That is the foundation of workforce development. Together we can create a food secure Michigan and help our state go to the next level of quality living and appeal.

The Food Bank Council of Michigan represents the seven regional food banks in Michigan that serve all 83 counties. I am challenged and excited to work with these amazing industry experts to create a Blueprint to Solve Hunger in our state. We recognize this a huge social problem that intersects with all of our lives and livelihoods. I am convinced that hunger is not bigger than we are, better than we are and it is not beyond us to solve. Hunger is stubborn and a bully but we believe with the correct collaborative backbone and partners, we can create a food secure Michigan. Read more at fbcmich.org

Gray Knight Consulting is the summation of my life experience - I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Leadership Coach utilizing the self authored Diamond Life concept and someone with enough life experience to realize that many of life's issues and challenges really are 'Gray'. http://www.the-diamondlife.com

I am excited to share that my friend and excellent leader Vic Verchereau is now the host of the Leadership Lowdown and he has taken the show to whole new level. I invite you to join Vic as he discusses all things leadership on the Leadership Lowdown on the Michigan Business Network. The show airs at 9:00 & 3:00 respectively. Download the App and never miss the Leadership Lowdown at: http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com

During the first year of my tenure, I initiated a process to resume the creation of new match relationships, by providing a carefully screened adult mentor to an at risk child. Each subsequent year, due to increased funding, development of strategic partnerships and the retention of key staff, new match relationships have significantly increased and currently the agency serves 500+ children. Specific accomplishments under my leadership include:Relocation of the BBBSMCR offices to the Non-Profit Center at the ArmoryResponsible for all aspects of Talent Development - personality inventories, individual SWAT analysis, placement, coaching, training and evaluationDesigned a Talent Management system that included a transformational leadership/management by objective model, began a peer appraisal and mentoring program, instituted a leadership development process and cut turnover rate to 20%; including the retention of every existing staff personConducted Needs Analysis with individual staff and board of directors; addressed diversity challenges; restructured organizational responsibilities and brought agency into compliance with acceptable HR practices - local, state, federal as well as BBBS of America standardsFormed new relationships that has brought additional streams of funding to BBBSMCR; reestablished relationships with key donorsBBBSMCR’s budget has increased by 175% over the past 3 years – resulting in new hires and doubling the number of clients servedVolunteer recruitment yield increased to 60% Facilitated a Board approved Employee Manual, Strategic Plan and Compliance processImplemented advocacy strategies on behalf of the safety of the children who are served by BBBS and all mentoring organizations statewide.Created strategic partnerships with: Michigan State Police, Secretary of State, MDOC, DNR, State LibrarianGOLD Standard Award Winner - BBBSA 2014Agency/Board of the Year Finalist - 2014

I formed the WCSS as an advocacy group to represent an association of institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources, consisting of 4 million Wesleyans across the United States. The center worked in partnership with former presidential candidate Gary Bauer and Political Strategist Ralph Reed. Contracts included: Governors Haley Barbour and Sonny Purdue U.S. Congressmen Lynn Westmoreland and Gregg Harper U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Roger Wicker President Bush, Senators John McCain and Fred Thompson presidential campaigns Senator Hillary Clinton and her office regarding specific exemptions to the Health Care law

I brought a cross section of the organization together resulting in a clear, concise, measurable purpose statement developed from the process of discerning the values of the organization. I worked to inspire our membership and create positive momentum in regard to the future and authored a conflict resolution process to minimize negativity. I planned and executed regional workshops to grow the leadership from within the organization in order to address succession challenges. Forged partnership with leadership author John Maxwell Implemented an Organizational Health Initiative that included training needs analysis, performance management/appraisal and leadership development with an instrument to measure the effectiveness of the program Utilized personality inventories to discern team members competencies and outlined programs to address their needs Developed a Talent Performance Process that included oversight, performance evaluation, peer coaching, mentoring, progressive discipline, conflict resolution and culture creation 70% of the participating agencies demonstrated upward trends in overall health categories including membership over the next 18 months Conflict episodes among the membership were reduced by 84.6% Designed and presented training materials to enhance employee performance and established an arduous schedule of public speaking in order to deliver the material International partnerships expanded from three additional countries to 28 countries Hosted a weekly radio broadcast which dealt with political, social and human service issues

I presented leadership in several countries around the world as a trainer for EQUIP, a leadership company founded by John Maxwell. The project trained approximately 5 million people in 50 countries during a three-year period.

The Bavuma Island is located in Lake Victoria, Uganda, East Africa. The island lies 16 miles off the port of Jinja, Uganda. There is no electricity, running water, toilets or housing other than mud huts with grass roofs. I recruited and led teams comprised of U.S. ex-patriots and national workers to build the first permanent buildings including, a school, medical clinic, church, and teachers’ housing on these islands. Authored a strategic plan together with a cross section of African nationals Worked with government officials to implement plan Researched, correctly interpreted and applied HR polices according to host country’s laws; utilized needs analysis methodology to build the team Developed Project Management process suitable to cultural norms of the host country Secured the necessary funds to build the schools, medical clinics, and teachers’ housing in Bavuma from private, public and international sources; Bavuma School graduates students each year under the capable leadership of the nationals; the adult learning center has demonstrated marked improvement in literacy