Arthrex President Receives State Award for Education Support in Collier County

Reinhold Schmieding, Arthrex president, received the Margie Davidson Leading Light Award on Dec. 4. The Sunshine State School Public Relations Association gave him this honor at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay during the 80th Joint Conference of the Florida School Boards Association and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.

This award goes to people who back public schools. Meg Hardt accepted it for Schmieding — she manages corporate engagement at the company.

"Mr. Schmieding and Arthrex exemplify what it means to be a true partner in education," said CCPS Superintendent Leslie C. Ricciardelli in a news release, according to Naples Daily News. "Their sustained support of career pathways, scholarships, early learning, and community programs strengthens not only our schools but the entire Collier County community."

Schmieding started the medical device maker back in 1981. Ten years later, he brought its main offices to Naples.

People around the world know this Naples company for breakthroughs in minimally invasive surgery. But Schmieding also pours resources into schools and job training.

Arthrex has given equipment to technical colleges nearby and set up dual enrollment opportunities for high schoolers through Florida Gulf Coast University. Students at technical schools can now attend without worrying about money, thanks to scholarships the company funded.

This marks two years in a row that someone from Collier County has won the Margie Davidson Leading Light Award. Last year, Eileen Connolly-Keesler, the Collier Community Foundation's president and CEO, won it.