Pasco EDC Honors Avis Phillips and the late Ted Phillips with Leadership Award

July 16, 2024

Every year, Pasco EDC honors a local leader, who is an exceptional and positive influence in economic development and their community and this year a duo was chosen.

PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA (July 16, 2024) — The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is hosting the 36th Annual Awards. This year, the Pasco EDC Policy Council has selected Avis and the late Ted Phillips as recipients of the 2024 Leadership Award which celebrates a person in Economic Development, who has had a remarkable impact on Pasco County and our community. Both Ted and Avis Phillips have built tremendous careers, all while giving back to their community. 

Phillips & Jordan, Inc. (P&J) was established in 1952 by the late William “Ted” Phillips, Sr. and his brother-in-law. Over the next 72 years, P&J grew into a nationally recognized critical infrastructure contractor, while maintaining its family-owned roots. The company established its Pasco County location more than 40 years ago, and its regional headquarters is now located in San Antonio, Florida. Ted and Avis Phillips operated as a team until Ted’s passing, and their values and spirit formed the foundation of P&J. The company currently employs more than 1,400 individuals across the country and is renowned for its people-first culture established by Ted and Avis, with many second and third generation families continuing the tradition of working for the company.

Avis Phillips founded and successfully ran another environmental remediation company named Avisco for 30 years prior to joining P&J in an official capacity. Under Avis’s leadership, Avisco received the recognition as one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s top contractor companies in the Southeastern United States.

Ted and Avis have always been philanthropists in our community. The couple has supported numerous educational opportunities for young men and women. They collectively created the Ted Phillips Scholarship Fund for Construction Management at Western Carolina University and the Ted and Avis Phillips Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund at Lincoln Memorial University. The couple has also hosted numerous Pasco County community and charitable events at their 4G+1 Ranch property in Land O’ Lakes.

The Phillipses were also integral to the Pasco Master Reuse project, which utilized a portion of their 4G+1 Ranch property to create 133 wetted acres, replenish Pasco County’s water supply, and foster biodiversity through a partnership with Pasco County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Ted and Avis have two children, W.T. “Teddy” Phillips Jr. and Lesa Phillips Whitson, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

“Ted and Avis Phillips’s generosity and commitment to environmental protection has made a tremendous impact not only on our ecosystem but also on our residents’ quality of life,” said Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC President/CEO. “Their economic impact is felt not only in Pasco County but throughout the country. We are honored to present this award to Avis Phillips while also honoring the work of the late Ted Phillips.”

The award will be presented during the awards program on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Pasco Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC). If you would like to attend, reserve your spot now, as seating is limited, here.

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About Pasco Economic Development Council
The Pasco Economic Development Council is committed to developing Florida's most competitive climate for business growth by providing businesses, that seek to start, move, or grow in the North Tampa Bay area, a comprehensive suite of programs that can help them to reach their full economic potential.  Since 1987, Pasco EDC has fostered a strong partnership funded by corporate and public investors focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County.  Discover more at www.pascoedc.com.