HUGHESVILLE, PA, July 16, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- American inventor, Roderick Phillips has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
As an out of the box thinker, Mr. Phillips established his innovative aspirations at a young age. As a child, he disassembled toys to explore how they worked. He often sketched ideas that he transformed into prototypes. In fact, before wind power was popular, he designed and built a windmill that generated electricity.
As a graduate of Williamsport Area Community College, Phillips began his career as an electrician at GTE Sylvania in Montoursville, PA, where he earned the "Suggester of the Year" award in 1976 for improving flash-bulb technology and in 1982 for enhancing the liquid nitrogen storage and use containment system. After the Sylvania plant closed in 1984, he secured a job at ConAgra, Milton, where he has served as a maintenance electrician for the past 37 years.
In 2009, his wife—Debra—of 34 years passed away following two organ transplants. She left behind a letter –a last wish—that was read at her funeral encouraging her husband to keep his inventive spirit alive.
In her honor, in 2013 he incorporated Upper Desk, Inc., an innovative company that "places technology where you need it." (www.upperdesk.com) Living by his motto—"dream big"—Phillips worked with his daughter, Stephanie Phillips-Taggart, along with a business partner, who later became Upper Desk's CEO, to bring the company to life.
Phillips' invention, the Portable Cabinet Mount (model 117), for all size smart devices transforms most cabinets or shelves into a safe location for tablets and cell phones. Keeping valuable electronics safe from spills, the Upper Desk mount installs in seconds without drilling or tools.
The product has won three industry innovation awards including the Gold Award for Innovation at the 2014 National Hardware Show, Las Vegas, Innovation Finalist Award at the 2014 International Home Show, Chicago, and a 2014 Small Business Development Center New Product Innovation Award at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
After exhibiting at CES in Las Vegas in 2015, Phillips was invited by Sam's Club buyers to participate in the "30 Minutes to Win It" program, which was held at club headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. When pitching to club buyers, Phillips, along with the Upper Desk team, received a unanimous acceptance that resulted in 300 Sam's Club roll-out via Upper Desk's own vendor ID number. Based on the company's success and the product's 5-star consumer rating, Upper Desk, Inc. received a 2015 Small Business ImPAct award nomination from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The company also made it to the third round of Shark Tank.
Following the untimely death of Upper Desk CEO in 2018, Upper Desk was dissolved. In the future, Mr. Phillips intends to re-establish Upper Desk's presence in the marketplace as he holds U.S. utility and design patents for Upper Desk products.
In his free time, Phillips enjoys serving as a resource for fellow inventors, autocross and drag racing, trading cryptocurrency, participating in a local sportsman's club and spending time with his grandchildren at this farm.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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