Leadership Team
Anthony J. Filippis
Title: CEO
Wright & Filippis President Anthony J. Filippis began his long career with Wright & Filippis in 1968 as an orthotic and prosthetic technician. The son of company co-founder Anthony Filippis Sr., A.J. served as vice president from 1981-1997, and in 1997 he succeeded his older brother — the late Gene Filippis — as president of the company.
Read Complete Bio
A.J. holds an Associates Degree in Business from Oakland Community College, as well as several professional certifications in orthotics and prosthetics. He obtained certification in both disciplines from Northwestern University in Chicago, and is certified by the American Board for Certification in both prosthetics (1973) and orthotics (1976).
In addition to his professional certification, A.J. is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Board for Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics, as well as the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists. His prominent professional activities include his role as Chairman, Region B, American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association Task Force; Region B Representative, American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association DMERC-SADMERC Work Group; Board of Directors, American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association; and Surveyor for American Board of Certification in Prosthetics & Orthotics facility accreditation.
He is a Former Committee Member, Medical Advisory for State of Michigan; Former Board of Director and Committee President and Member, American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association; and Past President, Region V, American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association. He served on the Program Advisory and Oversight Committee for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A.J. also served as Chairman of the Board for the American Association for Homecare.
A.J. has also been active in a number of community programs. He serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Athletes with Disabilities Network. A.J. is also President of the Filippis Foundation, a non-profit educational program established by Wright & Filippis. He also serves as Treasurer and is on the Board of Directors for Camp Sancta Maria, a Michigan-based Catholic Boys Camp. A.J. is also a member of the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Board of Trustees.
A.J. was the recipient of the 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Eastern Michigan. More recently, he’s been recognized for his role in transitioning Wright & Filippis’ delivery fleet to clean-burning propane energy, earning public and private-sector support for the largest program of its kind in the medical equipment industry.
Family has always been important to A.J. He and his wife, Mary, have six children – Anthony III, Jennifer, Matthew, Jeremiah, Ryan and Dominic – and eleven grandchildren.
Steve Filippis
Titles: President
Steven M. Filippis grew up in the family business sweeping floors and making wooden legs with his grandfather, Tony Filippis, Sr., the founder of Wright & Filippis. Steve’s first management position was at the Detroit office, which he ran for 10 years before being promoted to director of facility operations. In 1988, he opened his first office in Toledo, OH. During the next decade, Steve spent most of his time hiring new staff, opening new locations and moving existing locations to larger offices to accommodate Wright & Filippis’ steady growth.
Read Complete Bio
In 2008, Steve was promoted to V.P. of facility operations, and in 2014, Steve was named executive vice president of mergers and acquisitions and then promoted to president in 2020. Steve for over the last 6 years, has worked with hospitals and insurance carriers to improve relationships and secure Preferred Provider Agreements with hospital systems. Steve has also been in charge of oversight of the W&F partnership with Carolina Prosthetics & Orthotics (COP), the South Carolina division, working closely with Ralph Hooper, who has been running the day to day operations.
Steve received his Bachelor’s degree in Health Education from Central Michigan University, and also attended Northwestern University to obtain his certification in prosthetics in 1990. Steve is also actively involved with the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association where he was a member of the Government Relations Committee for 5 years. Steve also served as a Board Member for the Michigan Prosthetic & Orthotic Association and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Wright & Filippis.
Steve’s relationship with the staff and leadership team in South Carolina has been instrumental in bridging the operational gap between both companies. He has also been actively involved in the operation of W&F over the past several years as well as been apart of the Wright & Filippis team for over 36 years. Steve has helped maintain and build on the leadership team at W&F during the COVID-19 crisis.
Directors
Kurt E. Schlau, C.P.
Titles: Corporate Clinical Services Director, Prosthetics
American Board Certified Prosthetist
Ohio Licensed Certified Prosthetist
Member of the American Orthotic Prosthetic Association
As the director of prosthetics for Wright & Filippis, Kurt is an American board certified and Ohio licensed prosthetist with nearly 35 years of experience in the Prosthetic profession.
Kurt is a member of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics, and the Michigan Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. He is also an active participant with the Ossur, Willow Wood and Freedom Innovations Advisory Board and Children’s Special Health Care Services Stakeholders Group.
Kurt graduated with a bachelor of science degree in sports medicine from Central Michigan University and went on to complete the Northwestern University Prosthetic program.
Dale Ferguson, C.O.
Titles: Corporate Clinical Services Director, Orthotics
I am an ABC Certified Orthotist and have over 30 years’ experience with Wright & Filippis, including eight years working at the Detroit Medical Central Trauma Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Michigan working closely with pediatrics. In addition I have previously managed Wright & Filippis’ Central Fabrication for both Prosthetics and Orthotics before taking on my new role as Corporate Clinical Services Director of Orthotics.
