About

Phil Estes is first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ.  Anything accomplished or gained in his life is the result of the goodness and blessing of God, who gives all good things (Matthew 7:11, James 1:17).

Phil’s Work

• Currently a Senior Software Architect in the IBM Linux Technology Center working on the enablement and use of Linux across all of IBM’s server platforms (System p, z, and x).
• Employed at IBM since 1994 working on all manner of software operating systems and software systems including OS/2, IBM’s Java Virtual Machine for OS/2, Linux, and Windows, emerging web technologies (back when the web was really “emerging”), as well as a short stint as internal web tooling architect for the global services community.
• Utilizing IBM’s flexibility regarding work location since 2006 to work from a home office in central Virginia.

Phil’s Family

• Married in 1994 to a wonderful wife–who he first met at the tender age of nine years old around 1980!
• Blessed to have five children ranging in age from 3 to 11
• One bunny acquired in 2010

Phil’s Music

• Grew up in a musical family who sang together regularly.
• Took piano (early elementary) and clarinet (late elementary through high school) and played in bands through the end of high school.
• Picked up guitar during college and played guitar and some bass guitar for a on-campus Christian fellowship.
• Took a strong interest in bass guitar in 1996 and began to play on the worship team at Calvary Chapel Austin until moving to Maryland in 2001.  Played bass again from 2001-2006 at at Rock Creek Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland until moving to Virginia.  In Virginia played bass again before switching to acoustic guitar in 2007.
• At Rock Creek Church, Phil worked with others on song arrangement and selection, and continued playing acoustic guitar for small group meetings.  From 2004-2006 he directed the music team, organized practices and selected music for Sunday morning gatherings.
• After switching to acoustic guitar at Calvary Chapel Fluvanna, Phil led the team musically from guitar, and sang backup vocals through 2009.
• Since Spring 2009 have been fulfilling the role of worship leader at Calvary Chapel, singing and leading from the acoustic guitar, selecting music, arranging songs, and leading the team practices.
• In 2008, Phil entered the world of songwriting.  For the past two years he has grown in confidence and continues to write songs that are now used in the church’s congregational worship.

Phil’s other interests include biking, international travel, cooking, and college basketball but finds that there is less and less time for any extra interests in his life.