Employee Spotlight December 2021 - Russ Boy
Name: Russ Boy
Title: Aviation Sales Rep
Location: Plantation, FL
Years with Phillips: 7.5 years
Describe yourself in three words: Humble, Loyal, Motivated
What do you love most about your job? I love the FBO customer interaction, especially with the direct dealers and marketers. It's one of my favorite parts of the job. I come from a FBO background, so I speak their language from an aviation standpoint, and it’s easy for me to engage and build relationships. Helping FBOs grow their business and assisting them to become more efficient is the best aspect of my job.
What’s one work-related project you’re most proud of and why? When I started at Phillips 66 in 2014, I was tasked with engaging with a client that was on the verge of leaving Phillips 66 for another supplier. Not only did I end up repairing the relationship and saving the business, but I also helped grow their existing business by bringing them on to our contract fuel program. At first, they were unaware of the value that contract fuel could bring, but once they signed on, the program allowed them to tap into a new customer base, add additional revenue for both the FBO and our charter network. They remain a loyal customer to this day. My ability to come in and engage with FBOs, create growth, problem solve, and maintain relationships is what I’m most proud of in my current role.
Briefly describe your professional history and how you arrived at Phillips 66. I worked for a family-run FBO for more than 19 years, beginning in aircraft ground operations at the entry level and working my way up from there. I have worked all the various positions in a FBO, including fueling, towing, customer service, line management and operations. My dad was a private pilot and owner of a FBO business, so I’ve grown up in an aviation family and have been around aircraft my entire life. In 2012, I was approached to work on the Phillips 66 Aviation Advisory Council, where we met twice a year to share insights as a larger group. I continued to stay in touch with the folks at Phillips 66 and was offered a job to work for them full time in June 2014. Before I started at Phillips 66, I was just scraping the surface in the aviation industry. Phillips 66 has allowed me to truly learn the business at every angle, from supply chain and logistics, to transportation, and brand support. I continue to have the opportunity to work with incredible people every day and I’m very grateful for the role that I’m in today.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I enjoy spending time with my family in my free time. My wife and I have two kids ages 16 and 11. My daughter is an active dancer, and my son plays trumpet in his concert and marching bands. We stay busy and love supporting them. I also love live music. In fact, during my college years, I managed a live music venue and formed a great relationship with the band, Creed, when they were first starting out. I’m still in touch with those guys today, which is pretty special. Live music is what brought me and wife together and today, we continue to be avid concert goers.
What’s your next vacation? (briefly describe) My wife and I are attending the Monsters of Rock Cruise in mid-February. It’s basically a music festival at sea which is a neat set up. We’ve been to several rock cruises in the past, but with the pandemic it’s been a while since our last getaway. We’re very excited!
Do you have a hidden talent? I play drums a bit. I don’t play as much as I used to, but I’ll pull out the drum kit every once in a while and have fun with it.
What are you most proud of? Being a good dad and good husband is what I’m most proud of. There’s a lot of us on my mom’s side of the family and we’re a close-knit group. She’s come from a heavy Italian upbringing, so we have a strong family bond, especially around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. I’m very proud to be part of a large family that remains so close.
How do you define success? To me, success is health and happiness. Simple as that.