Phil Andrew's Story

Crisis-Tested Leadership and Service to our Nation

I served 21 years as an FBI Special Agent, intelligence officer, undercover agent and crisis and hostage negotiator combating public corruption, violence and terrorism. In this work we never wavered in honoring our oath to defend the Constitution while protecting our national security at every level. I’ve served across the country, overseas and collaborated with public safety professionals and our nation's allies. I’ve trained and led others to do the right thing the right way - building trust and teamwork – designing and implementing strategies that always put people first.

When de-escalating conflicts, saving lives and accomplishing the mission at the FBI, I always remembered the important support and empathy I received during my own recovery from violence. That compassion has taught me the foundation of resilience that I rely on even today. I have learned that most who suffer from violence, threat and tragedy have few or none of the support systems I benefited from to thrive. And, it is my mission to do all I can to make sure healthy systems, such as healthcare, wellbeing support, effective policing, education, small business financing and others are in place to help lift us all.

I’ve lobbied beside Jim and Sarah Brady, Gabby Giffords, Everytown for Gun Safety and scores of survivors of gun violence. I’ve trained and supported first responders across the globe in crisis response. I’ve gone head-to-head with spies, terrorists and brought to justice child exploiters, corrupt public officials and scammers.

Leading hostage negotiation teams, I’ve built strategies to support families in bringing loved ones home safely. I’ve worked and supported every level of our national security and public safety infrastructure and institutions. I understand the rule of law, trust, and the need for the opportunity for reform and efficiency in our government.

These experiences have taught me how critical it is to have healthy institutions and systems that protect and support us, particularly when in crisis. They have shown me how important trust, relationships, listening, and compassion are in responding to crises and solving complex problems. My experiences also ingrained in me the idea that if you want to do hard things you need a healthy, united team with varied expertise who never, never, never give up.

Roots in the District

I grew up in this area as the middle child of seven in a family that exemplified the service of others as a moral obligation and fulfillment of a purposeful life. My parents both grew up in this district. They met on the Foster Ave Bus on the way to school. My mother was a kindergarten teacher beginning in the Bronx, New York and finishing at St. Norbert’s in Northbrook.

My father was a self-made man of a single mother who managed to earn a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame and worked as a U.S Mailman to pay his way through law school.

In my parents’ early life they organized buses for the 1963 March on Washington. My father leaned against the Washington Monument during Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream” speech. In the mid-1960’s they worked and rallied with migrant workers in California.

My early years were defined by a large and chaotic family, athletics, and jobs as a lifeguard and swimming instructor. These experiences helped me see an even bigger family in our community. My experience at Loyola Academy fostered a sense of justice and commitment to social good. I had early opportunities to lead in high school and college as a three-time swimming team captain and school record holder at the University of Illinois.

Gun Violence Survivor

In 1988, my family and our community’s faith and hope were tested, when a classroom of second graders was attacked by a deranged shooter culminating in my parents and I being held hostage at gunpoint. I managed to negotiate their safe release and survive a near fatal bullet to the chest. This incident in Winnetka, Illinois was the first of the nationally known school shootings that sadly have become recurring nightmares in communities all across this nation. I am forever grateful for the first responders, doctors, faith and civic community leaders, family members and support systems that saved my life that day. I have never wavered in my commitment to earn and return that gift each day.