Carrie Phillips, plant manager at Chevron Phillips’ Orange, Texas facility, has earned a national Women in Manufacturing Award honoring her as a female rising star in the manufacturing field.
“This award is a testament to Carrie’s leadership, dedication to her team and drive for continuous improvement. Her energy is contagious, and this very much comes across in her many interactions with all layers of the organization,” said Jacob McAlister, CPChem’s manufacturing general manager. “Carrie wants her team to win and, in turn, sets high standards for performance. However, she never sacrifices our core principles of getting results through truly valuing our people.”
Phillips' Leadership Excellence
Phillips is a mentor to others hoping to build a career in the petrochemical industry. She encourages younger team members to drive improvements, be open to feedback that will help improve their performance, and to say ‘yes’ to as many opportunities as they can.
“I got some great advice earlier in my career,” Phillips said. “If your next move isn’t equal parts exciting and ‘scare the hell out of you,’ it’s not the right move.”
Being a good neighbor and giving back to the community are also key components of Phillips’ leadership role as plant manager, she said.
Phillips has established a work/study program for students, supported the Orange Plant’s record-breaking CPChem Cares employee giving campaign, and led initiatives such as the building and delivering of beds for Orange County children through Sleep in Heavenly Peace. As a board member of several local organizations, she inspires employees to volunteer and contribute to the community.
One of her most significant community achievements is the renewal of the Chemical Row Industrial Group, fostering collaboration and communication among local industrial sites and the community. Her leadership in this group helps drive transparency and safety in operations, reinforcing the company’s role as a responsible and engaged community member.
About the MAKE Award and Women in Manufacturing
The Manufacturing Institute announced the 2025 MAKE Award winners March 6. A gala honoring award winners is scheduled April 24 in Washington, D.C. Phillips is among 130 women recognized with this year’s award.
Women account for 29% of America’s manufacturing employees, while making up 47% of the nation’s workforce, according to MI. The MAKE Award also recognizes the efforts of women in manufacturing to recruit and mentor other women entering the manufacturing field.
“Women working in our industry bring a strong skillset of problem-solving, collaboration, communication and mindful leadership,” MAKE Award organizers said. “They navigate through unconscious bias, balance work and family life responsibilities, overcome imposter syndrome and have learned to lead, often without any female role models to show them the way.”
Phillips became plant manager of CPChem’s facility in Orange, Texas, in 2023. She joined CPChem in 2011 with 11 years of experience in the industry. She graduated from Texas A&M with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
The Orange facility manufactures high-density polyethylene pellets used in the production of consumer products such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, plastic storage containers, coffee containers and polyethylene pipe.
Learn more about the Women MAKE Award here.