Phil Odom and his family have lived in Hastings since 1981.  He and his wife, Dana, have three children and four grandchildren.

Phil was first elected to the City Council from the First Ward in 1986 and again in 1990.  In January of 1991 he began serving as Mayor of the City of Hastings upon the resignation of then Mayor Phyllis Lainson.  At the November 1992 general election he was elected to his first term as Mayor and a second term in 1996. 

Phil returned to the council again in December of 2006 as a City Council representative from the 4th ward.