Phil Arrata

Operating Partner & Advisor, Champlain Financial

Phil is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience driving sustainable growth in rapidly changing industries. Phil has run all facets of an organization, most recently as CEO of outdoor goods retailer Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC).

With over a decade of experience in retail, Phil has been successful in building strategies and plans that are both results and people-oriented at MEC and Best Buy. Phil drove a comprehensive turnaround plan for MEC. This included e-commerce, store experience, supply chain, merchandising, continuous improvement, corporate efficiency, and community focus. These changes allowed MEC to reverse a negative sales trend and ultimately sell to a private equity firm.

At Best Buy, Phil was responsible for functions including finance, strategy, real estate, and technology. In addition, Phil had full P&L responsibility for Geek Squad and Best Buy for Business. Phil was executive sponsor and a key thought leader of major projects such as: revamping the supply chain; growing the services business; and consolidating the Future Shop brand into Best Buy.

Prior to his career in retail, Phil spent nearly a decade in management consulting, first with Deloitte followed by McKinsey & Company. He worked in a variety of industries including industrial, financial services, and telecommunications.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill and an MBA from the Kellogg School. Phil is a Board Member of the BC Women’s Health Foundation, and an Adjunct Professor at the UBC Sauder MBA program.