Rick Fleetwood, chief executive officer: Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory, Little Rock

Arkansas Business, Feb 25, 2008

After being discharged from the Air Force, Rick Fleetwood joined Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory in Little Rock as a manager 33 years ago.

"I wanted to help people," Fleetwood said. "I was very drawn to the health care profession."

Fleetwood, a veteran of the Vietnam War, said the job was appealing because it gave him the opportunity to assist other veterans.

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Over the years, Fleetwood has been Snell's chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Fleetwood is now the CEO of the firm, which specializes in custom-made and fitted prosthetic and orthotic devices from artificial limbs to braces. It also creates foot gear for arthritic and diabetic clients. It serves about 55,000 patients a year.

The company's revenue has grown from $8 million in 2000 to $13 million in 2007.

The company also has expanded from one location to nine across the state.

Fleetwood said he would like to see the company add three locations in the next five years.

"I continue to want to be able to provide community-based service, which is providing it in the area where the needs are," he said. "The days are gone where everybody felt like they had to come to Little Rock to get service. Now they can be taken care of in their own community."

Fleetwood said he's most proud of the quality of work the 53 employees provide the patients.

Fleetwood said his philosophy is to give the employees the tools necessary to accomplish their job, whether that is education or materials.

"We believe if we take care of our employees, the employees will take care of us and the patients."