A Springfield resident for the past 40 years, Phillip (Phil) Eastman brings a deep commitment to public education, extensive community involvement, and decades of leadership experience to the Springfield Board of School Directors.

Phil and his wife raised their son and daughter in Springfield, where both attended Springfield schools and participated in high school athletics. Today, their children have families of their own and  continue to call Springfield home. His family's enduring connection to Springfield schools is a  primary motivation for his service on the School Board.

For 28 years, Phil coached youth and high school ice hockey, including 17 years as the varsity head  coach at Springfield High School. While his teams enjoyed success on the ice, he considers  mentoring student-athletes and helping them develop teamwork, responsibility, perseverance, and  other lifelong skills to be the most rewarding aspect of his coaching career.

Phil recently retired after a distinguished 44-year career with PECO and Exelon. His professional  background, coupled with his perspective as a retiree and taxpayer, gives him a strong understanding of the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with the community's expectation of providing an exceptional public education.

In addition, Phil has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, where he gained valuable experience in strategic planning, organizational oversight, and sound governance. He is honored to represent the residents of Region 5, Ward 6, and is committed to serving Springfield's students, families, staff, and the community with integrity, transparency, and thoughtful leadership.