MOST ADMIRED CEO AWARDS: Michael Arms, Helen Woodward Animal Center

When Mike Arms came to Helen Woodward Animal Center it was on the verge of bankruptcy. Arms instituted profit and loss meetings to help educate the staff and get each of the program managers back on track for their department's budget. Since this time, Arms' policies have enabled the animal center

Arms' first job out of school was with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and, after seeing the daily horrors of animal abuse and large-scale euthanasia, he was ready to leave the animal welfare field. Only a few days before moving into a position in the business world, Arms was called to rescue a dog hit by a car. He came to pick it up, because there were no drivers available and was then attacked and beaten within inches of his life. The dog he came to rescue crawled to his side to lick him back to consciousness, which is when Mike committed his life to saving the lives of orphaned animals.

The employees feel proud to be a part of Helen Woodward Animal Center with its international reputation that is both respected and revered in the animal welfare field. The staff feels good about the quality of care they provide and the fact that the center is able to maintain its no-kill status while accepting over 80 percent of our animals from shelters across the state and the country.

Mike Arms created a program called ACES, which stands for animal center educational services. This is a three-day training seminar Helen Woodward provides to shelters throughout the country and the world, covering topics from fundraising and public relations to accounting and animal care management. Arms also put into place proper evaluations and a procedure for cost of living increases, as well as merit increases. The staff received medical and dental care at no cost to them and a matching retirement plan option.