Leaders & Innovators: Anthony Filippis
ANTHONY FILIPPIS: President of Wright & Filippis in Rochester Hills. Wright & Filippis provides health care devices and supplies, including prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory care services, home medical equipment and supplies, seating rehabilitation, and home accessibility systems. The 70-year-old company, founded by his father, is in the midst of an expansion with a recent acquisition, others in process, and an increase in its executive team. Under Filippis' leadership, the company has expanded to more than 600 employees and focuses on growing promising lines of business while divesting others in an effort to continue its rapid growth. Recently, Filippis was recognized for his role in transitioning the company's delivery fleet to clean-burning propane vehicles. In 1968 he began his career with the firm as an orthotic and prosthetic technician, moving up in increasing responsibility until becoming president in 1997. He was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Eastern Michigan region. Filippis has served in several professional organizations. For the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, he was a former member of the board; committee president; chairman of Region B on the association's task force; and past president of Region V.