2009 The Final Cut Honoree: Phil Young

Architect Phil Young is the vice president of Pellham Phillips Architects & Engineers, where he uses a unique style of leadership.

"As a leader, I don't think you have to be loud (and) over-the-top with your emotions and demands," he says. "I do think a leader needs to be confident, honest, selfless, have a bit of humor and the ability to listen."

His professional duties include client relations, project design, billings, and employee training and relations.

"I have worked on many hotels, retail shops (and) office complexes," Young says. "The highlight of my career to date has been the Hammons Field project - a Double-A baseball park for the St. Louis Cardinals."

Whichever role he's filling - father, husband or boss - Young believes listening is the most important trait he can bring to the table.

"Listening to my kids and my employees helps me better understand their needs, wants and desires, therefore allowing me to better lead them to the proper action, hopefully ... giving them the opportunity to discover (it) on their own," he says. "As for listening to my wife, that just helps me, period."

From 2001-03, Young served on the board of directors of American Institute of Architects' Missouri chapter. In 2004 and 2005, he was a member of the Young Architects Forum in Springfield, serving as a mentor to young interns new to the practice of architecture.

This year, he joined Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast, and he's looking forward to serving the community as a Rotarian.

"For everyone that I encounter through my everyday life, I strive to act and perform to the best of my ability. I challenge myself to be a person of good character - honest, humble, hard-working (and) happy," he says. "Having good character traits means that I - and anyone, for that matter - can and will influence people to be successful, no matter how you define success."