Meet the Founders
One of them had a vision, and the others believed in it.
How It All Started
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A community leader and business owner in recovery, Mike Carpenter knew he had a responsibility to help others. When the opportunity to build a Life Skills Campus arose, Mike was inspired by his own life experience to create MHAB. Since the MHAB dream came true, our mission has only been possible with the skills, support, and shared vision of our team and partner organizations. We all continue to work together to fight the social stigma around recovery and make experiences better for our visitors.
Mary Carpenter
Mary Carpenter began her professional career as a fourth-grade teacher and then she met Herb. Over the next three decades they built The Northeast Group from a staff of five to more than 75. When retirement proved unexciting, she embarked on a third career as the Director of Internships & Career Opportunities at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Betsy Vicencio
Adirondacks born and raised, Betsy Vicencio, found her “home” in Plattsburgh, New York on Lake Champlain with The Northeast Group and, now, MHAB. More than fifteen years as Vice President/CFO of the family organizations, Betsy brings her passion for making things better every day. Her unwavering dedication to the mission and values in combination with her ability to “get-it-done” provides the perfect partnership with Mike in all the business endeavors.
Mike Carpenter
Former truck driver turned CEO of our 40 year old family business, The Northeast Group, Mike Carpenter has been in recovery for more than 30 years. He saw a need for transition from treatment or halfway house back to “normal” life, which became the seedling for the MHAB Life Skills Campus idea. Mike wanted MHAB to be the conduit closing the gap between leaving treatment and getting into recovery.
Herb Carpenter
Board Chair Herb Carpenter was a police officer, detective and then a police chief. He established The Northeast Group in the early 1980s after his retirement from the force. He has been a serial entrepreneur and, in retirement, spent 12 years as a professor teaching Business Ethics in the School of Business & Economics at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.
AJ Rubado
A.J. Rubado grew up in Plattsburgh, not far from the MHAB campus. He is an experienced CEO and private equity investor and currently serves on a number of Boards including PetSmart/Chewy. He and his wife Amanda live in Manhattan and are expecting their first child before the end of 2020.
Our people
The team that makes MHAB real.
"Panic Monkey"
Videographer & Creator
Guitarist • Entrepreneur • Persona
non grata in his home state •
Sober with a side order of
RockStar addiction
Ken Parkinson
"Head Security Guard"
Executive Director
Retired Law Enforcement • Jeep driver • Salt Life, bruh • Has seen first-hand the consequences of substance use
Betsy Vicencio
"The Changemaker"
Vice President & CFO
Avid skier, hiker, and paddle boarder • Reluctant adult-onset runner • Mother of two beautiful girls • Yaya of one amazing granddaughter • Proud parent of an addict eight years in recovery
Mike Carpenter
"MHAB Mike, Head Addict"
President & CEO
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30 years sober • Believes in personal accountability in recovery • Loves golf, hockey & horse racing • Wants to forever be a "Toys-R-Us kid"
Ken Parkinson
"Head Security Guard"
Executive Director
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Retired Law Enforcement • Jeep driver • Salt Life, bruh • Has seen first-hand the consequences of substance use
Jill Buckpitt
"Just Jill"
Property Manager
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thoughtful, patient and just....Jill carefully serves and solves problems for our residents.....judiciously reigns in Ken.....and brings a sense of calm to the world. Jill may be a parent to a somewhat unsociable pig named Penelope.
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Travis Bruce
"The Man"
Maintenance Supervisor
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Very eclectic member of the recovery community • Gifted in all things mechanical • Exceptional athlete, runs spartan races with little training • Happily married & father of 3 • Loyal to a fault
Pete Tromblee
"IT Nerd"
Chief Information Officer
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Steelers, steelers, steelers –what else needs to be said? • Loves remodeling the house • Provides the most amazing internet service to our recovery campus
Matt Hammons
"MHAB's Stealth Chef"
Executive Chef
quietly and confidently navigating the precarious waters of the MHAB Kitchen, providing excellent food options for the MHAB and Plattsburgh communities.
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Kimberly Smith
"Little Kimmy"
Director, Graphic Design
Rome, New York native • Over 30 years in graphic design and printing • Find her hiking (46er #12087), snowshoeing or paddling in the ADKs with her husband and large dog • Stalk her on Facebook