Next Up Columbus 2025: Phillip DiSilvestri
Name: Phillip DiSilvestri
Age: 24
Profession: President at Capital Choice Office Furniture
Neighborhood: Reynoldsburg
Education: Bachelor’s in Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Miami University
Community Involvement: Conway Center for Family Business; IFMA; IREM; AMFP; AIA; IIDA; CYP; HYP; Columbus Chamber; Hilliard Chamber; Dublin Chamber; Licking County Chamber; Pickaway County Chamber; Madison County Chamber; Neighborhood Cares – Grace Fellowship Church
F3 Columbus
Motto: The key to success requires minimal skill, but great effort: be present, actively listen, and do what you say you are going to do. Supplement this with education and training and you will go far.
Connect on LinkedIn
Phillip DiSilvestri grew up surrounded by office chairs, desks, and warehouse floors. His earliest memories are of helping out at Capital Choice Office Furniture, the company his dad founded in 2005. While he initially planned a future in tech — bridging the gap between software engineers and the C-suite — everything changed during a winter internship his senior year of college.
That hands-on experience at Capital Choice sparked a new passion: reimagining the workplace through innovative, intentional design. Now serving as President of the company, Phillip is excited by the challenge of leading in an industry ripe for change. For him, it’s about more than furniture. It’s about creating environments where people and businesses can thrive.
What gets you up in the morning? And what gets you through the workweek?
I am always scheduling fun, dynamic meetings to get to know the people around me more. I am energized by the people I get to meet and the opportunities that I get to seize each day.
What advice or mentors have helped guide you along the way?
In school, I have three pieces of advice that guide me daily: Everything you do makes a statement – Dr. Jim Friedman; Give max effort, actively listen, and be present – Dr. Mark Lacker; Meet with people. Don’t be afraid to call, email, and meet experts.
What do you do or where do you go to unwind?
I have very niche interests that I like to pursue to unwind. One of my favorites is to discover and research geographical oddities, especially in the Columbus area. Another way I wind down is by getting cozy and finding a YouTube video (often science or business-related) to watch.
What are a few of your favorite local spots in Columbus?
Winans in German Village is the only coffee shop I know in town that is open past 5:00 pm. This makes it my favorite spot to do work after hours with a nice cup of coffee (and maybe some chocolate). For food, you cannot go wrong with Schmidt’s, especially the cream puffs.
When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a meteorologist. Even now, I follow national weather like it is my second job. To the point of having notifications enabled for every tornado warning in the nation. I am the go-to for my family and friends for weather reports and severe outlooks.
What books or podcasts are you reading/listening to right now?
I just finished “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It goes over the life of Abraham Lincoln and his ability to turn his rivals into his greatest allies in a time of great, great societal turmoil. This is on the heels of listening to biographies about Steve Jobs and Benjamin Franklin. I also listen to business books, but biographies do a great job at teaching the same lessons, just in a story format.
What does it mean to you to be chosen for the Next Up Columbus award?
It is an honor. I am always diligently working to improve, and to receive an award just shows me that I am on the right track. I truly feel that I am up next in both my company and in the region.
If someone were to ask you what the “pulse” of Columbus is, what would you tell them?
Columbus is driven by the diversity of industry that we are blessed to have. If you want to work in a certain industry, there is a company in Columbus for you. We are a young, dynamic city that serves the next generation of leaders well.
The Next Up Columbus Awards, presented annually by the Columbus Young Professionals Club, recognize emerging leaders who are making a meaningful impact across Central Ohio. These honorees are innovators, connectors, and community champions helping to shape a brighter future for Columbus. Meet the entire Class of 2025 »