Phil Santer is the Chief Operating Officer for Ann Arbor SPARK, overseeing day-to-day operations and leading execution of the organization’s strategic plan. Phil has more than 15 years of experience in economic development at both the practitioner and policy levels. Before joining SPARK, he held roles at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and at a research center at George Mason University in Washington, DC.
He is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University and holds an MBA from Wayne State University. Phil is an Economic Development Financial Professional certified by the National Development Council and was named to DCI’s “40 Under 40” in economic development. He serves on the Boards of Lake Trust Credit Union, Michigan Works! Southeast, and Destination Ann Arbor.