The organization recognized Phillips work and effort and placed him in position to improve the club. Phillips was named the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Chicago Bears on February 10, 1999, making him only the fourth president in team history, and the first who was not a Halas by birth or marriage. He made many changes to the organization in order to legitimize the franchise once more. In the offseason of 2001, Phillips hired Jerry Angelo as the General Manager of the team and later extended his contract in 2003 and 2006 to create stability in the front office. He also brought the Bears summer training camp back to Illinois in 2002. Fans have appreciated this by attending camp in groups of over 10,000 at the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.