University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumnus Philip Whitebloom ’80, of Elkridge, Maryland, has made his mark in the world of sales.
Whitebloom worked for Sony Electronics of America for 23 years and is a two-time recipient of the Sony Samurai Award, the company’s highest honor.
His career managing salespeople and businesses allowed him to help The White House, Pentagon, National Institutes of Health, NASA and many others provide high-quality services and support to those they serve.
Whitebloom currently serves as the vice president of North America regional, channels and government sales for Imagine Communications.
For the past six years, Whitebloom has been serving as a guest speaker for UWO’s College of Business (COB), Reeve Union Board members and leadership team, and the physics department and astronomy club. He studies astronomy as a hobby and has had some of his astrophotography published.
These accomplishments have earned Whitebloom a 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award, which will be presented at the annual Alumni Awards Celebration and 2016 Homecoming festivities in October.
Alan Hartman, COB dean emeritus of UWO, said he has encountered no one who has given more time and resources to UWO students than Whitebloom.
“He came for two or three days each time, at his own expense, to work with our students and faculty,” Hartman said. “We have many leaders who have made significant contributions to our University, but no one gave up vacation time and paid transportation.”
Hartman said Whitebloom’s experience and demeanor created a great learning experience.
“He provided students with many opportunities to ask questions and to meet with him one-on-one. He also presented information to students in a way that was meaningful for them,” Hartman said. “His thoughtful style and welcoming of questions made the interaction rich for students.”
UWO marketing professor Bryan Lilly said along with Whitebloom’s formal presentations, he also has gone to breakfasts and dinners with students and makes himself available to them for career coaching.
“Students make a lot of positive comments about being able to interact with him,” Lilly said. “We inducted him into our UW Oshkosh College of Business honors society Sigma Mu Psi in October 2009, after he visited us a couple times and more than 29 years after he graduated from our University.”
Whitebloom said he is proud to be asked back year after year to work with UWO students, faculty and staff.
“It is hard to feel more satisfied than to get home after meeting with dozens of students and have so many of them requesting to connect with me on LinkedIn,” he said. “I look forward to my return visits to UWO as much as anything I do in in life.”
Besides working and visiting UWO, he also is a member of the Temple Isaiah and has held several leadership positions.
“I listened to everyone and treated everybody with respect,” Whitebloom said. “In return, the support I received from the Temple community and community at large was unbelievable. We were able to help so many spiritually, educationally, financially and socially.”
For more information about the alumni awards celebration on Oct. 21, please contact the UW Oshkosh Alumni Relations Office at (920) 424-3449 or send an email to alumni@uwosh.edu.
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