Pro sole support
Enrique Urrutia
When one thinks of the Arizona Cardinals and the Phoenix Suns, Mesa small businesses usually do not spring to mind, much less the idea that they might be contributing to these franchises’ recent success. Jesus Ortiz, a pedorthist from GK Custom Footwear, has been making orthotics for the sports teams since 2000.
He got connected with these franchises through doctor referrals. After they saw his work, they decided to keep him around and have him continue making orthotics.
The players liked his work so much that when they were traded or moved to another team, they continued to call Ortiz because no others could measure up.
Ortiz has been a certified pedorthist since 1999 but has been making custom orthotics and custom molded shoes since the mid-1980s.
At first, when Ortiz would take molds of the players he would be nervous. But as time passed, he got used to it.
“Every season I get anxious to go in the locker rooms and see the guys again and take their molds. I don’t get nervous anymore just anxious,” Ortiz said.
Many memories were made in those locker rooms.
“I have a couple favorite moments but my favorite would probably have to be when Jason Kidd showed me his Olympic gold medal that he won in 2000 and I was able to hold it and touch it,” Ortiz said, “My other favorite moment was when I had the opportunity to mold the feet of Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal), the manager from the Diamondbacks and Mike D’Antoni all in the same day. It was a special day to me.”
Ortiz is not a man about fame or money; he just wants his patients to be happy.
“I would rather satisfy the patient and make them happy and comfortable because the quality and effort in your work is what keeps people coming back and always in a good mood,” Ortiz said.
When asked if he could base their success off his work, he said, “No, I don’t think so but that sure would be pretty cool.
