Phil Josephson has been executive director during the initiation of
28,718 of AGR’s 57,389 members. For over 30 years he has been the cornerstone on which Fraternity growth and prosperity has been built. Succeeding Maynard Coe in 1972 as only our second chief staff officer, Phil has carried on Brother Coe’s tradition of a steady hand and firm counsel to the elected leadership.

Under Phil’s stewardship, Alpha Gamma Rho has earned a highly respected place among other national fraternities — far exceeding that warranted by our relative smaller size. The farm boy from Stillwater, Minnesota has become one of the “Deans” of the Greek world. His most visible interfraternal role is as the long-time sponsor chair of the Fraternity Executives Association’s annual gathering. Of course, he also served through
FEA’s officer chairs, finishing as president in 1987.

Phil has served under 16 Grand Presidents, from Ovid Bay in 1972 to Mike Jackson now. His knowledge, experience and talents with people have provided sound benchmarks for those leaders to build on — ensuring a consistency of strength over the years. AGR has certainly experienced highs and lows since Phil was initiated in 1969 at Wisconsin-River Falls. But there is no question we are stronger than ever today — and getting even stronger as we approach our centennial.

Being a fraternity executive director is not a job — it is a way of life. One is “on call” 24/7 — and weekends are the preferred work days for volunteers. Balancing the needs and wants of family, members, Board(s), chapter officers, alumni officers, universities, parents — and staff — is a delicate undertaking. This is particularly difficult in the emotionally charged atmosphere of “fraternity,” where every chapter and every brother holds sacred their own experience. No one has done this better than Brother Josephson.

Phil Josephson, in his amazing thirty year tenure with Alpha Gamma Rho, has lifted the fraternity to the highest level of respect and recognition while he has helped make a lot of men better.

As a senior fraternity executive, he is known as a leader with foresight and as a man who gets the best out of each volunteer leader.

In an era when fraternities are fighting to stay on campus, Alpha Gamma Rho has positioned itself to deal with issues from alcohol to hazing while emphasizing scholarship and campus leadership. The long term plan for AGR is a blueprint of success to which other fraternities aspire.

Phil has dedicated himself to AGR to the point that they are “one and the same in the eyes of many,” says Ken Root, SICKLE & SHEAF editor and longtime friend of Phil.

"Phil is seen by us as a leader of our fraternity, but he is also seen by the executives of other fraternities as a national leader," says Bill Boehm, past grand president.
Over three decades, Phil has successfully negotiated massive societal changes, university position reversals, student attitudinal approaches and the ever-shifting and evolving Fraternity leadership focus. Through it all, he has earned the respect of brothers, peers, colleagues and administrators because of his strength of conviction and ability to convey pros and cons forthrightly. These traits are vital to AGR’s success, as a Board must be able to rely on their CEO for the unvarnished truth. (Those who know Phil best and have worked most closely with him have no doubt formed a knowing smile at this point!)

Many an impetuous young staffer (or chapter officer, or volunteer leader) has learned first hand of this conviction, strong work ethic, attention to detail, and forthright approach. Every one of them has gained wisdom, solid experience and leadership skills from their interaction with Phil. These (usually) under-appreciated life-lessons are what
“fraternity” is really all about. Making
better men — one at a time.

Phil Josephson has gone over and above in his commitment and service to Alpha Gamma Rho. Many sacrifices of family time with Jane and sons Noel and Hans have been made. (More accurately, the entire Josephson clan has made many sacrifices for AGR). But let us not get too maudlin — there has been “one whale of a good time” experienced by hundreds over these many years. “Phil Stories” abound, but are best repeated elsewhere than in SICKLE & SHEAF.

This long leadership journey has resulted in a fiscally strong, well-respected, well-positioned Alpha Gamma Rho. And the best part is that Phil is still a young man — with much more to share with the Fraternity and its brothers.

Thank you, Brother Josephson. All brothers salute you and your unsurpassed effort and commitment to make AGR a vital component in the lives of successful men of agriculture.


 

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