Phil Jenkins is a lifelong resident of Nappanee and was elected Mayor in November of 2015. Phil graduated from NorthWood High School in 1989 and Ball State University in 1994, with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.

Phil and his wife, Diane, returned to Nappanee after college to raise their family. They have three daughters and two (soon to be three) sons-in-law, and one granddaughter. Diane teaches 6th Grade Social Studies at NorthWood Middle School.

Prior to becoming Mayor Phil worked 20 years in the architecture and construction industry. He received his professional license in 1997 and is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Board. Phil served on the Nappanee City Council for seven years, and the Nappanee Board of Public Works and Safety for eleven years.

During his term as Mayor, Phil has been involved in several capital improvement projects involving sewer, water, recreation, streets, fire and non-profit organizations. Phil was the co-chair of the WaNee Community Vision 2020 committee, responsible for raising $5.75 million in a public-private-partnership funding for a series of projects benefiting the schools, Boys and Girls Club, the Center, and Elder Haus. Phil also started the Mayor’s task force on mental health and is involved in mentoring at the schools in Nappanee and Wakarusa. Phil assisted in the establishment of the Nappanee Art Council, a local non-profit that promotes and creates art in the community.

Phil serves on several local and regional boards, including the Nappanee Boys and Girls Club, the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County, Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), Horizon Education Alliance (HEA), the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership (SBERP), and Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM).