“I want to set an example that others will follow. If I have a problem doing that, then I have no business leading others.”
Phil Burks
SPEAKER
Phil Burks
Book Phil for your next event
Phil Burks is a highly-respected mentor, entrepreneurial speaker, and commencement speaker who has dedicated his life to helping people achieve their dreams. He is passionate about inspiring others to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and pursue their goals with fervor. As an experienced business executive and entrepreneur, Phil has a wealth of knowledge and insights to share with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
One of Phil’s greatest strengths is his ability to connect with his audience on a personal level. Whether he’s speaking to a group of students, entrepreneurs, or business leaders, Phil has a knack for making everyone feel valued and understood. With his infectious energy and magnetic personality, Phil has the rare ability to motivate and inspire people to reach new heights of success. From sharing his own personal story to providing practical advice and tips, Phil is a dynamic and engaging speaker who always leaves a lasting impression on his audience.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Telling Life Lessons Through Stories
While at KHYM, Phil was awarded the New Gospel DJ of the Year. The regional ABC TV affiliate (KLTV) came out to the radio studio to do a news story on the station and the award. Phil says they made a fatal mistake as they were leaving by saying- “come to the TV studio Tyler and see us some time.” Everyone says things like that and don’t mean it, but Phil held them to their word!
A meeting was arranged for him to see the operation and watch how a newscast was created and aired. He got the bug and applied for a job as a news reporter. He kept coming by the studio and watching. One night, the news director and on-air anchor, Michael Brown, asked him to bring some ‘AP copy’ (printed news from the wire machine) to the on-air desk. He did. Michael asked if Phil worked at the station and he said- “no… but I’d like to!” Michael hired Phil to be the Longview, Texas news reporter for KLTV-TV. That led to a weekend position anchoring the Saturday and Sunday newscasts.
So, public speaking is in Phil’s blood. He has spoken many times to Rotary groups, university classes, church groups, and was honored to be the LeTourneau University 2025 Commencement Speaker.
If you are interested in booking Phil to speak, he will want to know about your group/organization so he can tailor the content to your group. In general, he will use stories from his book as a backdrop for teaching life lessons. References are available.
Phil has been involved in public speaking since high school. It started with the drama club and having lead roles in musicals. Then for two years he was asked to do the school-wide morning announcements. That experience gave him a comfort for speaking to crowds.
While in college at LeTourneau University, Phil joined the campus radio station and did a regular shift spinning records and being a DJ in the evenings to the campus listeners. That led to a job with a local 1000 watt AM radio station in Longview, Texas (KFRO) where he began calling high school basketball games. Being a sports announcer grew into a becoming a DJ playing the hits to, “…the pre-pubescent teeny-bopper bubblegum league” as he used to say on the air! There are a couple of stories in How to Eat a Failure Sandwich about those KFRO days. Be prepared to cringe and laugh! While at LeTourneau University, Phil and two friends helped put a 5000 watt AM radio station (KHYM) on the air from the ground up, taking what they were learning in electrical engineering classes and putting it to practical use. Phil was an on-air DJ and Program Manager at the station for two years.