Hi, I’m Casey Phillips – President & CEO of Wilhelm Builders, proud Howard County Chamber member, Howard County raised (Go Gladiators!), and outgoing Chair of the Young Professionals Network (YPN). I build things for a living, which means I have a healthy appreciation for strong foundations, good people, and the occasional lightbulb moment where you step back and realize, ‘Wow, this actually turned out great’.
My involvement with the Chamber didn’t start with a grand vision – it started fresh out of high school, when I was volunteered by my parents to attend the Signature Event and fill the notoriously awkward last open seat at the table. Little did I know that a decade later I’d start my entrepreneurial journey in my hometown, and the Chamber would become such an impactful part of my life. I’ll be the first to admit my connection to the Chamber started years before my own involvement, shaped by watching my dad grow as a leader through the people and opportunities brought into his life. But when I finally ripped off the band aid and dove into the Chamber myself – found a community of professionals who made me feel at home, challenged me often, and encouraged me to step up even when I wasn’t sure I was ready.
YPN became the place where that growth really took shape.
Serving on the YPN Board for the last few years, and culminating as Chair – has shaped who I am as a leader, friend and member of the community. I remember joining the YPN Board during the makings of the post-COVID era, and in all honesty, the struggle was real. It was a gut check as we came to terms with the fact that the business development landscape had changed greatly and we couldn’t rely on YPN’s previous successes anymore. It forced us to stop and ask the hard questions: What’s actually working? What do our members want most? How do we lead with intention instead of momentum alone?
The answer turned out to be refreshingly simple: get back to the basics.
Strong leadership. Clear purpose. Consistent, meaningful programming. When we focused on those fundamentals, everything else started to click. YPN has made major strides in the quality of our events, the engagement of our members, and the sense of community we’re building together. We’ve created spaces where young professionals aren’t just swapping business cards – they’re building trust, learning from one another, and finding their footing as the future leaders of Howard County.
That process has been just as transformative for me personally. Leadership, I’ve learned, isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about listening well, surrounding yourself with people who make you better, and being willing to do the unglamorous work that keeps an organization moving forward. My time on the YPN Board and alongside the main Chamber Board has reinforced that lesson again and again.
I’m incredibly grateful to the Chamber Board for the opportunity to serve with them. Being in rooms with people who lead with integrity, experience, and genuine care for this community has been both grounding and inspiring. These are the kinds of relationships that go beyond meetings and motions – they turn into strong business partnerships with people I trust, respect, and enjoy working with. That’s not something you can force. It’s something you build over time, together.
Looking ahead as my term as Chair comes to an end, I’m genuinely excited about where YPN is going and so thankful for the Board members carrying the torch forward. We’re focused on creating clear pathways for young professionals to grow into Chamber leadership, deepening our programming, and continuing to foster a culture where people feel welcomed, challenged, and supported. YPN isn’t just about the next event – it’s about the next generation of leaders who will shape Howard County’s business community for years to come.
If you’re a young professional looking for your people, or a seasoned Chamber member wondering how to stay connected to what’s next – I invite you to engage with YPN. Come to an event. Start a conversation. Say yes to getting involved.
You might just find, like I did, that you’re building something stronger than you expected.
Casey Phillips