Phillip Fordham's grandfather was on the USS Finback, which picked up President George H.W. Bush when his plane was shot down in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. They became bunkmates and friends. It was Fordham's grandparents' relationship with the Bush family that made him interested in politics from a young age.
Fordham graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and minor in sociology as well as the University of Maryland with an MBA.
"I'm proud to have been the first staffer for U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter [R-Ga]. He currently serves as the chair of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce [Committee's] Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials Subcommittee. ... I started as an intern with him in the state Senate in Georgia, hopped on his campaign and am proud to have helped to get him to Congress," Fordham said.
Fordham worked as a field coordinator and executive assistant for Carter, government relations specialist and representative for International Paper, then manager and senior manager of federal government relations for LyondellBasell. He is now the director of government relations for Celanese Corp.
He joined the plastics industry in 2021 and said he enjoys helping to tell the industry's story. "People rely on our products each and every day, and they might not know it without people advocating each day," he said.
"With our industry touching just about every manufactured product, there are numerous regulatory and legislative policies that are set to impact our industry," Fordham said of his current work challenges. "Staying on top of the rapidly changing environment is a challenge. A quote that I often use is, 'If you aren't at the table, you are on the menu.'"
Fordham is interested in seeing how artificial intelligence can streamline tasks to make government relations professionals more efficient, as they are constantly jumping "from task to task and issue to issue," so efficiency is key.
Fordham sits on various committees for Celanese; serves as the chair of the Federal Government Affairs Committee's Rail Transportation Infrastructure Committee, which leads on federal policy topics related to rail service, rail labor, rail safety, trucking, port and marine; and is involved with the American Chemistry Council.
"The American Chemistry Council and other industry partners recently hosted a product showcase in collaboration with the Congressional Chemistry Caucus titled 'Chemistry in Tech.' Celanese leaders, including myself, attended and helped educate administration officials, members of Congress and their staff on the ways chemistry fuels today's technology," Fordham said.
He also takes manufacturing employees to Capitol Hill and brings elected officials to facilities.
"Every time I visit a facility, I learn about the breadth of products our industry delivers," he said. "Without our people and products, modern life would not be possible."