EASTERN
A practitioner-owned and operated company, Next Step Orthotics and Prosthetics is headquartered in Manchester, NH with a reputation for personalized care and high-quality orthotic and prosthetic services. President,Matt Albuquerque entered into this field because he wanted to make a positive impact in people’s lives. With a state-of-the-art fabrication lab on site, they maintain high level quality control and fast turnaround times for their clients, even performing cosmetic finishing or repairs while you wait. Next Step’s staff is involved in a number of community activities, including the Wounded Warrior Project, and was an organizer for New Hampshire Coalition for Prosthetics, which passed legislation to provide coverage for the repair and replacement of prosthetic devices.
GREAT LAKES
Under the leadership of founder Joe Reynolds, Red Frog Events has become a pioneer of the event production and active entertainment industry, producing their signature race series—Great Urban Dash, the Warrior Dash, and Beach Palooza. In only three and a half years, Red Frog has expanded from one employee to 55 employees and just over $12 million in revenue. The team recently moved into its new offices “Camp Red Frog” which includes a giant tree house filled with functional meeting spaces, a rock climbing wall, and zip-line. Red Frog has also been a civic leader, raising $200,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and collecting 50,000 pairs of shoes to benefit Green Sneakers in 2010.
MIDWEST
Heritage Homes built its first home in 1995, beginning with only three in the first year of business and now exceeding well over forty. While maintaining strong growth, CEO Daryl Braham successfully transformed the company from a solely profit-driven enterprise to one focused on meeting the needs of its clients and supporting its community. Heritage is actively involved in the Fargo-Moorhead Home Builders Association and participates in at least 10 charity events per year. Their work has also helped change the lives of three families featured on the Emmy-award-winning program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
NORTHWEST REGION
R&R Conner Inc. is a family run business who specializes in helicopter logging of timber throughout the Pacific Northwest. Owned and operated by Ryan Conner, a 5th generation logger, and his wife Robin, the company expanded to the air in 2005, and R&R Conner Aviation, LLC was formed. R&R Conner Aviation has received global recognition through its participation in season 2 and 3 of the History Channel’s television series AX MEN. Their collective responsibility to protect and value America’s natural resources was featured in their 2010 documentary film, Logging in the 21st Century, produced by Ryan and Robin. They were also named 2008 New Business of the Year by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.
SOUTHEASTERN
Prestige Cleaners is an independently owned drycleaners with services ranging from delivery to disaster restoration services. Founded with used equipment by owner Eddie Mannis in 1985, he has grown the company from three employees and one store to 138 employees and 10 locations. Prestige is committed to giving back to its community having established Project Classroom, which donates a percentage of annual revenues to area K-12 schools, and HonorAir Knoxville, which flies area veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials built in their honor.
SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL
Founded in 2005 by Master Chocolatier Beth Tully, Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates is one of only 200 artisan chocolate businesses in the country. In 2008, the company created a 1,900 square foot manufacturing facility, and in 2009, they opened a 1,700-square-foot retail space which helped in attaining double digit sales growth in 2010. In five short years, Tully’s handmade chocolates have been listed on Martha Stewart’s short list for wedding chocolates and in Dean and Deluca’s catalog. Using only the finest ingredients and imported Belgium chocolate, Cocoa Dolce focuses on creating a one-of-a-kind experience for their customers.
WESTERN
Founded in 1999, the Praetorian Group provides online resources and cutting edge information to first responders to help them stay safer and better protect their communities. Praetorian owns and operates 19 websites focusing on specific public safety markets, including firefighter rehabilitation, first responder grants, and volunteer firefighting. All told, its websites reach 1.5 million unique visitors each month. Led by co-founder and CEO Alex Ford, Praetorian has expanded from 2 employees to 55 and has increased its revenue at an annual rate of 15% to 20% since 2005.
