Alumni in 5

Phil Biggs '78

Phil Biggs '78

Employer
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP l Director | Michigan Practice & US Automotive team

LinkedIn Profile
http://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-biggs-9528601/

1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
I've spent 45 years with multi-national companies ranging from Dun & Bradstreet to Marsh McLennan to EY to my current firm, PwC. And, I've been fortunate to be part of two tech startup companies along the way. For the past seven years I've served on our GVSU Seidman Advisory Board, which has been a deeply important experience.

2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
I formed a singer-songwriter trio in 1976 and we performed around campus, singing some favorite songs from the mid-70's. Then, we started writing our own tunes - my English background served me well:) A favorite memory is that we got good enough to be invited into the Saturday night radio show on our campus station WSRX, at the basement of the Campus Center, as guests of Kevin Matthews and John Keating. They have since become media legends! We'd sing a combination of favorite Eagles, Poco, America songs plus our own originals. Unforgettable experiences!

3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
"Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair."

4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand Valley experience.
Action Changes Things So, work to be a "thinker" but always be ready to act and be a "doer"

5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
These days I work hard to raise much-needed dollars and awareness to help the homeless and mentally ill on our streets of Grand Rapids. Very pleased to report my Standing Together fundraiser concert series raised $130,000 last year and nearly $300,000 over the past three years. Over the course of twenty years, as co-founder of our grassroots Standing Together charity platform, my music partner and I have grossed $800,000+ for area West Michigan charities, and we're hoping to exceed $1 million this year. The experiences of writing, performing, connecting businesses with artists and charities, directly helping those in need, and doing my part to give back - has been an incredible privilege. My latest album, This Great Stage, has been in large part donated to local charities: http://open.spotify.com/album/1P2EIth5cSwIPCVhwTwEbO http://www.reverbnation.com/409992/album/310049

February 2025

Interest Area(s)
English, Political Science

Categories
Honors College, West Michigan

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Page last modified February 5, 2025