Phelps is an attorney and real estate broker, active in his family’s real estate development and insurance business. He is also president of Priority Development Corporation, which builds and leases office warehouses.

Phelps has an extensive professional background in the public sector. An elected official for nearly 13 years, Commissioner Phelps served as a Justice of the Peace, Harris County, Precinct 8, prior to accepting the appointment to serve on the Port Commission. Phelps’ public service experience also includes working as an Administrative Aide to long-time Harris County Commissioner Jim Fonteno.