Deborah was born in Riverside and raised throughout the Inland Empire.  She attended John W. North High School and Riverside City College in Riverside.  In 1990, she enlisted in the United States Army and completed basic and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort McClellan in Alabama later that year in September.  Upon graduation, Deborah was assigned to a military police company on the United States Army's Muenster Kaserne in Germany from 1990 to 1991.  Upon return to California, she was assigned to the United States Army hospital on Marine Corps Air Station Tustin from 1991 to 1994.  In 1994, she left the Army to raise her then growing family.

​Deborah is a mother to 4 sons and 1 daughter.  In 2001, her family moved to Oak Grove Oregon.  In 2005, Deborah became involved with Clackamas County Children's Commission Head Start.  As a member of the Clackamas County Children's Commission Head Start Policy Council, she represented the interests of other parents whose children also attended the same center as her daughter.  From 2005-2008, she served as a State Representative to the Oregon Head Start Association.  She served as the Chairperson of the Policy Council 2008-2009. 
She served on the Clackamas County Children's Commission Head Start Board of Directors 2005-2010.

In the 2010 midterm elections, Deborah made a bid for the office of Oregon State Representative for House District 40.  That District included the Portland suburbs of Clackamas, Gladstone, and Oak Grove.  Her opponent was the Speaker of the House.  Although the election did not go in her favor, she found it an enjoyable learning experience.

In 2011, Deborah made the decision to return to her roots in Southern California.  While en route, she was involved in an accident which resulted in a significant injury.  This injury required her to take some down time while she healed.  During this time of rejuvenation, Deborah became involved with the Bald Mesa Community Center.  They set up food and clothing drives which helped struggling members of our community.  It was also during this time that she familiarized  herself with our wonderful community.  In 2015, Deborah bought her first home in Phelan.  She feels blessed to be a member of our amazing community.

Deborah Philips