Meet the Team: Board Member Phil Feisal

Get to know one of Upstate Forever's newest Board members, Phil Feisal, through a few rapid-fire questions.

What sparked your interest in working with Upstate Forever? 
I have been aware of the tremendous work of Upstate Forever since its founding in 1998. Upstate Forever stands as a conservation force and is the leading voice for land conservation, planning & policy, as well as energy & water across the counties of the Upstate. I want to be a part of that. 

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you? 
I have grandchildren that live in the Upstate and I want them to grow up in a place that values natural resources and also believes in the value of smart growth. It takes effort to make that happen and I want to contribute to that end. 

How long have you called the Upstate home? What brought you here? 
My wife & I moved to the Upstate from Augusta GA in 1994 and have raised our family here. My work (hospital administration) brought us here and the wonderful resources offered in the Upstate have kept us here. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. 

Where’s your favorite spot in the Upstate? 
My “go to” spot in the Upstate is the Blue Wall Passage. It’s a beautiful easy flatland loop if you just want to connect with nature and it also can become a strenuous leg-busting effort if you climb the Blue Wall and continue on the Palmetto Reservoir passage along the NC/SC state line towards Orchard Lake. Very quiet & peaceful with a big workout included. 

What hobbies do you enjoy?  
I enjoy getting outdoors as much as possible. I’m an avid cyclist, ultrarunner and my wife and I hike together often. I have had the opportunity to participate in all those activities throughout the United States and across the globe. There is a lot to see out there if you pursue it. 

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More about Phil

Phil Feisal is the President of Spartanburg Medical Center, a division of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. He has been with Spartanburg Regional since 2009 and his healthcare career has spanned 35 years. Previously, he has served in executive leadership roles at the Greenville Hospital System (now Prisma Health) and Bon Secours Mercy St. Francis Health System. Phil also holds an adjunct professorship in the Government Department at Wofford College.

Phil is active on several local Boards and Advisory Councils in Spartanburg and Greenville. Notably, he recently served as the Chairman of the OneSpartanburg, Inc. Executive Board and participates on Spartanburg’s Northside Development Group Advisory Board, the USC Upstate Foundation Board & the Spartanburg Academic Movement Board of Directors. He has also served on the Boards of the Greenville Free Medical Clinic & Greenville Forward

Phil received an undergraduate degree in Finance at the University of Memphis and holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

Phil and his wife, Katrina, have three children and have lived in the Upstate since 1994.