Introducing Jim Andreassen

With springtime comes big changes, and Great Steps Orthotics and Prosthetics is pleased to introduce new Chief Operating Officer Jim Andreassen.

Andreassen began with Great Steps in March after decades of work in, and passion for, the field of orthotic and prosthetic solutions. As COO, Andreassen will be in charge of our financial analysis and reporting. He’ll also analyze current operating processes and suggest new strategies to improve the “flow” of the business and help expand our outreach.


Jim’s an interesting, passionate person, and we asked him a few questions to learn a little more about him.


Q. How did you learn about Great Steps?

A. I met John and Kristie while I was serving as president of the Orthotic & Prosthetic Group
of America (OPGA). After leaving OPGA, I leveraged my experience in the field as a business
consultant - I consulted for Great Steps on 2 different occasions for several months.


Q. What drove you into the orthotic and prosthetic field?

A. I was introduced to the O&P field because my youngest daughter, Jaclyn (now 30 years old)
was born 9 weeks premature and developed cerebral palsy due to lack of oxygen to her brain
during the birth. She needed orthotic bracing most of her pre-adult life starting at around 18
months, so I worked with a local orthotist in Waterloo, IA. It seemed like a very interesting and
gratifying profession….25 years later, I’m still here!


Q. What are you looking forward to the most with your new position?

A. Working with the great staff at Great Steps and taking the company to a new level!


Q. Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?

A. I was born in Waterloo, IA and have lived there most of my life. In fact, in 1992, I purchased the
house that I grew up in, remodeled it, added to it...and I still live there! All told, I have lived in
this house all but 10 years of my 54 years of life.


Q. Any other personal information or fun facts about yourself you’d like to share?

A. Well, I have a strong faith in God. I love and adore my family; they include my beautiful wife
of 32 years, Dawn, two daughters, Danielle and Jaclyn, (31 and 30) and three grandkids, Olivia,
Gwendolyn and Jameson (4 ½, 3 ½ and 1 ½). I love to golf and fish, but don’t often because I’m
too busy working! And, I love volleyball; I played at Iowa State University and coached a high
school for 6 years.


Welcome to Great Steps, Jim!