Phil Panzarella

5th Grade Simple Co-Founder & Partner


Phillip Panzarella is currently the Co-Founder and Partner of 5th Grade Simple (5GS). A serial entrepreneur, Mr. Panzarella co-founded 5GS after selling his prior firm CPS Professional Services, LLC (CPS) in 2014. An accomplished business leader, management consultant and executive coach, Mr. Panzarella draws on 37 years of progressive leadership and management experience. Mr. Panzarella has held Senior Management positions with CPS, Capture Planning Solutions, Siemens, ENTEX, FCP Technologies and IBM Federal Systems.

Mr. Panzarella is a graduate of the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in National Security.  Upon graduation from West Point, he had a distinguished ten year career in the United States Army.  Mr. Panzarella has also earned two Masters Degrees: MBA in finance from Long Island University and a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University.  Currently, Mr. Panzarella is enrolled in the Georgetown University, ICF Accredited Certificate Program for Leadership Coaching, 2015-2016.

He holds the following board assignments:

  • Board member for the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (Past Chair and Decade Club Member)
  • Board member for the Easter Seals Serving DC/MD/VA (Past Chair for 3 years and 6 year Board member)
  • Board member for Virginia Foundation for Research and Economic Education (VA FREE; 2015)


He also volunteers his time as a member in support of the West Point Leadership and Ethics Conference for High School students in the Greater Washington area (Co-Chair for eight years), International Coach Federation (ICF), American Legion Post 24, AUSA, Vets4Energy, West Point Society of DC, the LIDO Civic Club, NIAF and the Knights of Columbus.

He has been a resident in Fairfax County since 1989. He is married to his wife Elizabeth for thirty-six years. Their daughter Kristin graduated from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business and a licensed real estate agent with Century 21 in Arlington.