They say a company is only successful as the people leading it, and that is certainly the case with Kristi Kimpel, CFO of Advanced Rehabilitation Technology (ART). Humble, generous, and intelligent, her journey at ART is not just about numbers—it’s a testament to evolving responsibilities, perseverance, and the ability to grow alongside the successful company she now co-owns.
In this “peek behind the curtain” blog post, Kristi discusses her journey with ART, the evolution of her role, and how her leadership style has adapted as the company grew.
The Early Days
ART’s story begins in 2007 when Kristi’s brother, Dustin, brought his vision to life by founding the company, with Kristi’s husband, Josh, stepping in as ART’s first applicator. Kristi, at that time, was balancing life as a new mom and part-time pie baker. As ART’s operations started to pick up, she officially joined the team in October of that year, working part-time to assist with basic office tasks for ART and its sister company, S&S Directional Boring. “When I first started, I was just helping Lynn [stepmom] with administrative work. We had one spray crew, a sales guy, and a map with colored pins showing where we worked across Ohio,” Kristi recalls.
What began as part-time support quickly evolved into a full-time role as ART grew. Within months, Kristi moved from assisting with small tasks to handling accounting functions, eventually stepping into a leadership role. She implemented new accounting software when the company outgrew QuickBooks, a move that set the stage for ART’s evolving financial operations.
“I started in more of an assistant role, helping Lynn with day-to-day tasks. As ART and S&S began to grow, Lynn gradually started stepping back—not fully retiring, but working less—and I began taking on more responsibilities. At one point, I held the title of office manager, overseeing the front office operations. Over time, we added more team members, including someone to handle payroll, and I transitioned into managing the office staff as we continued to expand the front office team to support the company’s growth.”
A Leadership Evolution
Kristi credits much of her leadership growth to experience and mentorship. From church leadership roles to college classes to lessons learned through podcasts, books, and conferences, Kristi invested in developing her skills and leading by example.
“When I started, I didn’t have leadership experience. I learned along the way—how to listen, how to empower others, and how to create processes that allow people to succeed without constantly checking in,” Kristi shares.
This approach to leadership has shaped ART’s culture, where systems and teamwork drive results. Today, she oversees a growing team of professionals and works closely with Dustin to balance big-picture ownership responsibilities with day-to-day operations. “I think learning more about accounting and learning about marketing and learning how to lead people I think is all been part of the success. And the more I can grow and learn, then I can pass it on to my team and then it’s a domino effect because then they’re passing it down to other people too,” she explains.
Challenges, Growth, and Ownership
Kristi’s role further expanded when ART and its sister company, S&S, entered a pivotal moment: their father’s retirement in 2024. Kristi then joined existing owner Dustin as co-owner of both businesses, marking a new chapter for the family legacy.
“Even before becoming an owner, I treated the business like it was mine,” Kristi says. “I took pride in what my dad and brother built. Now, as co-owners, Dustin and I work together to continue that growth. He’s the visionary, and I’m the one who helps figure out how to make those visions work.”
From handling major projects—like building ART’s current facility—to managing unexpected challenges, Kristi has faced it all. Her resilience and ability to “roll with the punches” have been instrumental in ART’s continued success.
“My advice would be whatever job you do, just do it with such excellence that it would be hard to replace you.”
Impacting the Future
Looking ahead, her focus remains on growth—both for herself and employees. “My word of the year is ‘impact,’” Kristi explains. “I want to make a difference in my team, my family, and the company. As ART continues to grow, my role will keep evolving, and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
“Of course, I love spending time with my family, but this place gives me a sense of peace and happiness. You spend so much time with your coworkers, and here, I can see the results of my hard work and effort. It’s just a fun, fulfilling place to be—I truly enjoy being here.”
Kristi Kimpel’s story is a reflection of ART’s journey: rooted in hard work, family values, and the ability to adapt and grow. Her dedication, hands-on approach, and commitment to continuous learning set an inspiring example for everyone at ART and beyond. As ART looks to the future, Kristi’s impact will undoubtedly play a vital role in driving the company’s growth and innovation.
ART is an OBIC-certified installer and can offer high-quality, long-lasting solutions for a wide range of applications. For more information, or to schedule a free, customized product demonstration, call 419-636-2684.
