PullStart Leadership

Thomas Phillips

President and CEO

Prior to becoming the CEO four years ago, Mr. Phillips spent six years as the VP of Finance for Pull-Start, which included responsibility for all of the company’s financial performance and operations. The grandson of founder Scott Phillips, Mr. Phillips has spent his entire career in the business, beginning with an internship in the Production Department while still a student in college. Mr. Phillips graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Systems Engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA in Finance from the University of Georgia.

William Thompson

Vice President of Finance

W. Thompson is Vice President of Finance for Pull-Start Golf Carts and a member of Pull-Start’s Senior Leadership Team. W. Thompson has been in this position for the last four years, when T. Phillips was promoted to take the CEO position. Prior to assuming this position, W. Thompson spent 5 years as the
Controller for Pull-Start. Thompson spent the first fifteen years of his career in Finance positions with other small equipment manufacturers. W. Thompson received a Bachelors in Accounting from Miami University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Ralph Molinari

Vice President Operations

R. Molinari is the Vice President of Operations for Pull-Start. In this role, he has responsibility for all of Pull-Start’s production plant and engineering operations. R. Molinari joined Pull-Start 6 months ago. Prior to joining Pull-Start, R. Molinari spent 21 years with Caterpillar. Molinari’s career with Caterpillar began as an Engineering Trainee. Molinari later held positions including Engineering Manager, Production Manager, and Plant Manager. Molinari holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa and a Masters in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Florida State.

Ted Murphy

Vice President of Human Resources

T. Murphy is the Vice President of Human Resources for Pull-Start Golf Carts. In this capacity, he has overall responsibility for all Human Resources and all Associate-focused programs worldwide. Murphy joined Pull-Start ten years ago as the Human Resources Manager for Pull-Start’s plant in Atlanta. Prior to joining Pull-Start, Murphy had spent 5 years with General Motors in a variety of Human Resources functions. Murphy has been instrumental in implementing a consistent recruitment and associate retention program and initiated Pull-Start’s Women's Initiative. T. Murphy is a graduate of Rice University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In addition, Murphy holds a Masters of Human Resources Management from the University of Texas.

Michael Ballard

Director of Information Technology

M. Ballard is currently the Director of Information Technology for Pull-Start Golf Carts. He is a member of Pull-Start’s Senior Leadership Team. M. Ballard came to Pull-Start six years ago from the Comerica Financial Services in Dallas, Texas, where he was the Manager of Data Center Operations for nine years. He chairs Pull-Start Golf Carts’ Technology Committee. M. Ballard is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Computer Science.