Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. today announced that P. Cody Phipps has been appointed the new President and Chief Executive Officer.  Phipps’ unique experience leading major business services companies through significant periods of expansion makes him well-equipped to guide Osmoses’ continued growth.  He was most recently Chairman, President, and CEO of Owens & Minor Inc., a global healthcare distributor/services company with over $10 billion in revenues.  Prior to Owens & Minor, Phipps served as President and CEO of Essendant, a Fortune 500 distributor of business products.  Earlier in his career, Phipps was a Partner at McKinsey & Company in Chicago where he co-founded and led the firm’s Service Operations Practice and was a leader in the Global Operations Effectiveness Practice.      

“Cody Phipps is the right leader for Osmose as it continues to expand the scope and scale of its services while increasing the quality and value it delivers to the utility and telecom markets,” said Tom Rooney, Chairman of Osmoses’ Board of Directors.  “At a time when utilities are investing heavily in the future of their grid infrastructure, Osmoses’ job of ensuring the strength and resiliency of the assets that support that grid rises to mission critical level.  Utilities expect not only operational excellence but strategic foresight from Osmose, and Cody brings both of those key qualities to our business,” Rooney added.   

“I’m honored to join Osmose, whose 86-year history of superb service quality and dependability provides an optimal platform for future growth and innovation,” said Phipps.  “I’m especially appreciative of Ron Childress for having established such a strong foundation of excellence during his Osmose tenure.” 

Ron Childress, the firm’s current President and CEO, is retiring effective June 15, 2020 after 34 years of service with the company.  “I have served in executive roles with Osmose for over two decades and five years as CEO, it is the right time for a leadership change.  It has been my honor and privilege to serve such a great company.  I am proud of the people of Osmose and the tremendous growth trajectory of the business,” said Ron Childress.