Knight’s Tenure at United Helpers, one of Growth, Change and a Commitment to Mission

OGDENSBURG –Over the past 33 years, United Helpers Chief Executive Officer Stephen E. Knight has witnessed unprecedented growth at an organization that has been serving the people of the North Country in some capacity since 1898. 

“The most rewarding thing about working for United Helpers was working for a mission-driven organization. I hope the ten ladies who started the Society of the United Helpers would approve and be proud of our work,” Mr. Knight said, as he sat down to discuss his career with the company, which began in August of 1988, and will end later this month.

 

“What I’ve experienced in my 30 plus years is the board has always been willing to step up and support our community,” he said, before quoting a portion of the United Helpers Mission Statement. “To serve the community and help those in need.”

 

Mr. Knight then listed many of the services United Helpers developed during his time with the company… “pre-vocational day habilitation service, transitional, clinical, and housing services for people with severe and persistent mental illness, IRAs (Individualized Residential Alternatives), management of more than 500 units of subsidized housing, outpatient rehabilitation services, a market rate retirement community, the county’s only assisted living program, two outpatient behavioral health clinics, care management and case management services, and certified home care.”

 

“It was my privilege to work for a very committed board of directors and with a group of committed, caring professionals,” he said. “Together, we created a unique continuum of post-acute care and community-based services that support more than 2,400 people in our county every day.”

 

Mr. Knight’s career with United Helpers began when he was hired as an assistant administrator for what was then known as United Helpers Care, Inc. Today that portion of the company is known as United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills.

 

“I had heard about the job with United Helpers, because it was in the newspaper,” he said, noting at that time he was living and working in the Boston area. “My mother would send me job ads because she wanted me to move back home.”

 

Mr. Knight grew up in Lisbon and graduated from St. Lawrence University. He then spent “three or four” years in Massachusetts before moving back home.

 

After spending two years as assistant administrator, Mr. Knight was promoted to administrator in 1990 by then CEO John Turongian.

 

“As the company continued to grow, John made some changes to the leadership team, and I was promoted to Director of Systems Development in 1996, so then I had responsibilities company wide,” he said. In 2001 Mr. Knight was promoted to Director of Operations.

 

“From the moment I first met Steve in 1990, I was impressed with his leadership skills and "can do" attitude. With each promotion, it soon became apparent that Steve was destined to take on greater responsibilities,” Mr. Turongian said. “The business of Health Care is very challenging and ever-evolving, and Steve knew where we needed to go.”  

In 2009, Mr. Turongian would retire from United Helpers and Mr. Knight became the company’s third CEO.

 

“It was an honor and privilege to work with him for nearly 20 years at United Helpers,” Mr. Turongian said. “My best wishes to him and Lianne for a happy and successful retirement.”

 

While he may be ready to retire, Mr. Knight said he will not stop advocating for the North Country and the people United Helpers serves.

 

“Over the years, we’ve continued to see an increase in the number of people relying on Medicaid or Medicare. One of my biggest worries is that during this same time we’ve also seen a waning of support at the state and federal level for these folks. It is up to us to continue advocating for those in need. They’re our friends and neighbors,” he said.

 

Mr. Knight said he’s planning on taking the summer to work on projects around his home, while also noting his oldest daughter is getting married this summer. He plans to do some traveling and participate in a lot more of the outdoor activities that he enjoys doing like biking, hiking, snow skiing and water-skiing.

 

He resides in Colton with his wife, Lianne. The couple has three adult children, Hannah, Daniel, and Sadie Rose. His last day with United Helpers will be Friday, May 28.