Leadership Biographies

Bradley Ruhl

President of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association
Vice President  of Sales and Marketing, Otto Bock Health Care
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bradley Ruhl is Vice President of Sales and Marketing, in the U.S., for Otto Bock Health Care and President of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. He has been a member of the AOPA Board of Directors since 2004. Mr. Ruhl has also served as Chairperson of the AOPA National Assembly Committee. From 1998 to 2004, Mr. Ruhl  was a member of the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) board of directors and also served as chairperson of the ACA’s public policy and advocacy committee. Mr. Ruhl was a past Vice-President of AOPA Region B from 1996-1998. He has over 29 years of sales and marketing experience, having spent the last 19 years with Otto Bock.

Brian Gustin, CP
President-Elect of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association
Chief Clinical Officer, Bridgepoint Medical, Inc.
Suamico, Wisconsin

Brian L Gustin, CP, was originally in the engineering profession and helped design coal-fired and nuclear electric generator models. Mr. Gustin became interested in prosthetics because his father, Raymond, was both a transfemoral amputee from a childhood trauma and a certified prosthetist. Entering the O&P profession with Suburban Orthotics and Prosthetics in Des Plaines, Illinois, Mr. Gustin later joined his father’s company, Wisconsin Orthopedic in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mr. Gustin took over the practice when his father retired in 1989, gradually expanding the practice to six locations along with mobile service in rural areas. Mr. Gustin has been a member of AOPA’s Coding Committee since 1998 and served on the AOPA Board of Directors from 1999-2005. He actively participates in AOPA’s government relations efforts.

Tom Fise
Executive Director of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association
Alexandria, Virginia

Thomas F. Fise is executive director of AOPA. Mr. Fise holds a J.D. degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Laws degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He has extensive non-profit trade and professional organization management experience. Prior to AOPA, Mr. Fise was the owner and principal of an association management company focused on the management of non-profit medical specialty organizations. In that capacity, he worked simultaneously as executive director of ten different physician organizations in the fields of cardiovascular surgery, general surgery and plastic surgery and was the executive director of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

James Kaiser, CP, LP
Vice President of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association
Chief Executive Officer, Scheck & Siress
Chicago, Illinois

James A. Kaiser CP, LP is Vice President of AOPA and Chief Executive Officer of Scheck & Siress, and has over 30 years of experience in the orthotic and prosthetic industry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Illinois and his prosthetic education from Northwestern University. As an American Board Certified and Illinois licensed prosthetist, he has directed the corporate mission and vision of Scheck & Siress since 1983. In the orthotic and prosthetic field, Mr. Kaiser’s leadership abilities and professional skills have been widely sought over the years. He has served as a facility surveyor for ABC, as a faculty member of Northwestern University’s Prosthetic Education Department and is a current clinic team member at Shriner’s Hospital in Chicago. Mr. Kaiser is also the director of Orthotic and Prosthetic Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Consortium on Education for Marianjoy, Rush University Medical Center, Loyola and the University of Illinois/Chicago Physical Medicine Residents. Mr. Kaiser is the current president of the Illinois Society of Orthotists, Prothetists, and Pedorthists, and has also served as director of the Orthotic & and Prosthetic Assistance Fund and was the Illinois liaison for the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Midwest chapter.

Rodney W. Cheney, CPO, FAAOP
Member of AOPA Board of Directors, Director-at-Large
Executive Vice-President, American Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc.
Clive, Iowa

Rodney W. Cheney is currently the Executive Vice-President of American Prosthetics and Orthotics in Clive Iowa, a family-owned business, which maintains eight patient care facilities throughout Iowa. Mr. Cheney received his B.B.A. at the University of Iowa in 1984 and completed certificates at Northwestern University in Prosthetics (1984) and Orthotics (1987). He became certified by the American Board of Certification in 1987 and has served as President of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists in 1987, President of the American Board of Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics in 1987 and President of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association in 2003. Mr. Cheney is married to his wife Tracy and has two sons, Cole and Blake.

Lisa M. Schoonmaker, CPO, FAAOP
Member of AOPA Board of Directors: Director-at-Large
Owner, Tandem Orthotics & Prosthetics
Sartel, Minnesota

Lisa M Schoonmaker, CPO, FAAOP was born in Chicago, Illinois and was raised in Orlando, Florida. She currently owns her own clinical facility, Tandem Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc. established in 1998, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Ms. Schonmaker is an ABC certified orthotist and prosthetist and graduated in 1990 with a B.S. in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Florida International University. Her clinical background includes two years as a prosthetic practitioner at Shriner’s Hospital in South Carolina, four years as a prosthetic and orthotic practitioner at Orthopedic Services, Inc. of Anderson, South Carolina and two years as Education/Technical Director at TEC interface Systems. Additionally, she volunteered her times as an O&P practitioner during the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Schoonmaker is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists. She also participates as a prosthetic examiner for the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics and is a Past President of the Board of Directors for the O&P Assistance Fund.

John H. Reynolds, CPO
Member of AOPA Board of Directors: Director, 1-3 Facilities
President, Reynolds Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.
Maryville, Tennessee

John H. Reynolds, CPO, completed his Northwestern certificate program in Orthotics in 1982 and in prosthetics in 1983. He graduated from Clayton State in 1983 and was certified by the American Board of Certification a year later. He has been a member of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists since 1985 and was inducted as a fellow in 2001. Mr. Reynolds served on the ABC Board of Directors for five years and was the organization’s president in 2001. He has over 30 years of technical and clinical experience and he currently owns two full-time facilities in Tennessee.

Anita Liberman-Lampear, M.A.
Member of AOPA Board of Directors: Director, 1-3 Facilities
University of Michigan Orthotics and Prosthetics Center
Annapolis, Michigan

Ms. Liberman-Lampear is a Board Member and a member of the Government Relations Committee, the Business Optimization subcommittee and the Evidence-based Practice subcommittee for the American Orthotics & Prosthetics Association (AOPA). She has her B.S. (Wayne State University) in Medical Technology and an M.A. (Central Michigan University) in Allied Health Management & Supervision. After 18 years in Pathology (in varying capacities in supervision and management) at the University of Michigan Health System, Anita became the Assistant Department Administrator in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at University of Michigan Medical Center. In 1992 Anita was asked to take over UM Orthotics and Prosthetics Center and revitalize the division. As Administrative Director, the division tripled in size and re-established itself as one of the premier academic sites for O&P.  Having developed a statewide O&P provider network and becoming active in the O&P field, Anita has begun to consult and teach in areas of managed care, accreditation, and other health system related topics.  She was on the development team that worked with Eastern Michigan University to develop the Masters Program in Orthotics and Prosthetics and is an adjunct lecturer teaching an online course in administration for orthotists and prosthetists. Anita is a board member and treasurer of the Michigan Orthotics and Prosthetics Association (MOPA) as well as liaison to Medicaid and a member of the Medical Care Advisory Council (MCAC) to the Director of Medicaid.

Rick Fleetwood
Member of AOPA Board of Directors: Director, 4-10 Facitilites
Chief Executive Officer, Snell Orthotics and Prosthetics Laboratory
Little Rock, Arkansas

Rick Fleetwood is a member of the AOPA Board of Directors and a member of the AOPA Government Relations Committee. Mr. Fleetwood is the CEO of Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory, which employs 53 people in nine locations and he has worked at Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory for thirty-three years. Mr. Fleetwood received his B.A. (University of Arkansas at Fayetteville) in Social Studies and Public Administration and completed his M.A. (University of Arkansas at Little Rock) in Public Administration. Rick also serves on the Board of Directors for Easter Seals Arkansas. He has earned the Arkansas’ VIP award; state, regional and national Meritorious Service Awards; the Southwest Regional Award for Service; and the Arkansas State Award from the Rehabilitation Counselors Association

Kel M. Bergmann, CPO
Member of AOPA Board of Directors: Director, 11-199 Facilities
President, SCOPe Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc
San Diego, California

In July 1982, Kel M. Bergmann, CPO, along with Loren Saxton, CPO and Tony DiSanto, CP, founded SCOPe Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. He received his Bachelors of Science in orthotics and prosthetics from the University of Washington-Seattle in 1980. Mr. Bergmann went on to complete three years of post-graduate work in San Diego. In 1985, he received both his orthotics and prosthetics certifications from ABC. As a founding member of SCOPe, Mr. Bergmann serves as the corporation’s president

Mr. Bergmann’s service to the orthotics and prosthetics field extends beyond his work at SCOPe. He has been Vice-President of the California Orthotics and Prosthetics Association (COPA) since 1996, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for both COPA and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. As part of his commitment to education, Mr. Bergman has co-authored “Sipinal Orthoses in the Management of Spinal Trauma,” which has appeared in Spine, by Rothman and  Simeone, and Spine Trauma, by Levine, Eismont, Garfin and Zigler.With over 20 years in the orthotics and prosthetics field, Mr. Bergmann has become a specialist in a wide range of adult rehabilitation and trauma orthotics. In addition to helping patients, he has also been involved with aiding animals. Working with the San Diego Zoo, he designed and fitted prostheses for a Chinese Tufted deer, as well as a beak for a stork.

Thomas F. Kirk, Ph.D
Member of AOPA Board of Directors: Director, 200+ Facilities
President and Chief Executive Officer, Hanger Orthopedic Group
Bethesda, Maryland

Thomas F. Kirk, PhD is President and Chief Executive Officer of Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. and is a member of the AOPA Board of Directors and the AOPA Government Relations Committee. Mr. Kirk holds a Ph.D in strategic planning/marketing and an MBA in finance from the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Mr. Kirk is a registered engineer and a member of the Financial Executives Institutue. Before joining Hanger, Mr. Kirk was a principal with Alix Partners of Southfield, Michigan. Alix Partners was the management consulting company retained by Hanger to facilitate its re-engineering efforts and provide the impetus for Hanger’s turnaround and operational improvement. As a consultant, he demonstrated success in improving profitability, preserving and restoring cash flow, expanding revenues, as well as developing strategic and operating plans for a variety of domestic and international clients.

Russell J. Hornfisher
Member of AOPA Board of Direcotrs, Supplier Director
Director of Sales and Marketing, Becker Orthopedic Company
Troy, Michigan

Russell J. Hornfisher is Director of Sales and Marketing for Becker Orthotpedic Company located in Troy, Michigan. Prior to that, Mr. Hornfisher held positions as District, Regional and National Sales Manager and National Accounts Manager and Sales Trainer with companies in the medical equipment industr. He has also served as a Sales Trainer in the Pharmaceutical, Home Health Care, and Orthotic and Prosthetic Industires. Mr. Hornfisher earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree, majoring in Biology and Chemistry, from Central Michigan University. He has been an adjunct instructor for the Marketing Department in the School of Business at the University of Northern Iowa and Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Hornfisher has published numerous articles on the topics of selling skills, marketing and management. He has lectured at state, regional and national association meetings on topics related to sales, marketing and management. Currently, he is Supplier Director on the Board of Directors of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association and Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee. He also holds the position as Chairperson of the Marketing Committee for the American Board of Certification for Orthotics and Prosthetics.