About Us

Our History

Beacon Charities was created in response to the escalating substance abuse crisis affecting rural and underserved communities across the Arizona. Seeing the challenges individuals and families faced due to limited resources and access to comprehensive addiction treatment, a dedicated group of behavioral health professionals, community advocates, and business leaders came together to form a nonprofit focused on providing transformative, evidence-based support to those in recovery.

Initially supporting a small treatment center with space for just twelve clients, Beacon focused on residential support, peer counseling, outdoor recreational therapy, and the 12-step model. As client needs grew, so did Beacon’s services. By 2023, the organization had expanded to include mental health support, transitional housing, and job skills training as essential parts of a holistic recovery model. By 2024, Beacon Charities had served over 200 individuals, with more than 70% of program graduates maintaining recovery at least six months post-treatment.

That same year, Beacon launched its Rewire and Renew Neuro-empowerment Workshops—becoming one of the first organizations in the U.S. to integrate this proven neuroplasticity-based curriculum into addiction recovery. Beacon Charities is expanding this evidence-based, neuroscientific programming as a core component of its recovery model, making these workshops accessible to treatment centers across Arizona, the U.S., and the world.

Today, Beacon Charities continues to grow with a clear mission: to deliver innovative, whole-person treatment options that support individuals and families on their recovery journey. Blending neuroscience, nature, compassion, and community, Beacon remains committed to providing real, lasting pathways to healing.

Our Mission:

To effect real change in recovery, while driving progress in the behavioral health industry’s approach to treatment.

Our Vision:

A world where recovery is accessible, sustainable, and rooted in personal empowerment.

Our Values:

We Win Together: We work as one team, showing empathy and respect along the way.

We Make It Easy: We only succeed when our clients succeed. We simplify their journey.

We Solve Problems: We act to create solutions that drive meaningful change.

We Are Accessible and Inclusive: We prioritize underserved communities.

We Are 1% Better Each Day: We seek improvement every day, in every way — our program, model, community, and selves.

We Are a Living Entity: We adapt to emerging neuroscience and behavioral research.

The Beacon Charities Board

Ken Stickler
Board President

Ken Stickler is a natural leader, entrepreneur, and community guy who believes that “No one gets there alone” and that real change happens when people come together to lift each other up. As President and Founding Partner of Stickler Webb Insurance, he’s helped grow the business to six offices across Arizona, serving clients in 27 states—but his true passion lies in mentorship, service, and making a difference.

With a background in accounting, financial modeling, and business development, Ken has built, scaled, and exited four companies in industries ranging from telecom and construction to federal contracting software and insurance. His ability to problem-solve, plan for growth, and create sustainable systems is a huge asset to Beacon Charities, helping expand its reach in mental health and addiction recovery services.

Ken is deeply invested in giving back, serving as a former President and current board member of the Sierra Vista Rotary Club, a Commissioner for the Tombstone Airport Commission, and an active member of the Sierra Vista Executive Association. As Board President of Beacon Charities, he plays a key role in growing resources and programs that help people rebuild their lives.

Ken’s business savvy, leadership experience, and heart for helping others make him an essential part of the team, ensuring the organization continues to change lives for the better.

Outside of work and service, Ken is all about faith, family, and adventure. He’s been happily married to his wife, Brenda, for 31 years, enjoys mentoring young people as a youth minister, and is fluent in Spanish. When he’s not working or volunteering, you might find him flying his plane and spending time with family.

Doug Brown
Secretary

Doug Brown is a trusted advisor, dedicated mentor, and passionate advocate for community well-being and personal transformation. With over 30 years of experience practicing law at Brown & Brown Law Offices, PC, he has worked extensively in criminal law, water law, municipal law, and real estate law. His expertise in policy, governance, and advocacy has made him a strong leader in his community, and now, he brings that same strategic mindset and problem-solving ability to Beacon Charities, helping expand access to science-backed addiction recovery programs.

Doug recently transitioned into financial management, helping individuals and businesses plan for their financial futures. His knowledge of financial planning and long-term sustainability is a valuable asset to Beacon Charities, ensuring the organization has the resources and strategic direction needed to grow and serve more individuals.

Beyond his professional life, Doug has always been passionate about education and mentorship. Through Brigham Young University’s China Teacher’s Program, he spent time in China teaching English at Nanjing University and Xi’an Jiaotong University. His ability to connect with people, foster personal growth, and encourage transformation aligns perfectly with Beacon Charities’ mission to empower individuals in addiction recovery.

Doug is a family man at heart who enjoys working on his family’s cattle ranch, serving in his church, and traveling with loved ones. He and his wife cherish time with their five children and five grandchildren, always embracing new adventures together. Doug is honored to be part of the Beacon Charities Board of Directors, where he is able to use his experience and passion to make a real difference in the lives of those seeking lasting change.

Rick Goodman
Treasurer

For Rick Goodman, service isn’t just something he does—it’s who he is. Whether he’s helping a client, lending a hand to a neighbor, or working to improve his community, Rick is always looking for ways to make a difference. A native Arizonan raised in the Gila Valley, he and his wife, Donna, have called Show Low home for over 43 years, where they’ve built deep roots, relationships, and a passion for giving back. With a heart for service and a strong background in business and finance, Rick brings valuable leadership and insight to Beacon Charities, helping expand its reach and impact in addiction recovery.

Rick’s career spans over 40 years in banking, finance, and insurance, giving him a keen understanding of the financial and logistical barriers many individuals face when seeking recovery. He spent 15 years with Valley National Bank, working his way up from teller to branch manager, before moving into business finance and insurance, eventually opening Goodman Insurance in 2008. His ability to build relationships, solve problems, and provide meaningful solutions has shaped his career—and these same skills now help Beacon Charities connect with more individuals in need of support. Having seen loved ones struggle with addiction, Rick and his wife, Donna, believe deeply in Beacon’s mission to empower individuals on their recovery journey.

Beyond his work, Rick is a pillar of the community, actively involved in church service, local charities, and business development initiatives. He serves on the Show Low Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, participates in the White Mountain Business Owners Roundtable, and contributes to Just Serve, Show Low Community Fast, and Light the World.

He and Donna love spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, traveling, and tending to their half-acre garden and orchard, which they’re slowly turning into something that benefits their family and friends. Their latest adventure? Becoming dog parents to Willow the Bernadoodle, who keeps life entertaining. Whether he’s mentoring others, growing his business, or simply sharing a story around a campfire, Rick is always looking for ways to serve, uplift, and strengthen those around him—just as he does in his role at Beacon Charities.

Tamara Applegate
Executive Director

Tamara Applegate is a natural leader, problem-solver, and community champion with deep ties to the rural areas Beacon Charities serves.  Raised in a multi-generational family in rural Arizona, Tamara knows firsthand the challenges that small and underserved communities face in accessing addiction recovery care. She’s on a mission to bridge that gap with solutions that truly make a difference. As Executive Director of Beacon Charities, Tamara blends her strategic know-how with her heartfelt commitment to service, working to expand access to addiction recovery programs. She’s committed to Beacon’s mission to spark real, lasting change in recovery.

With a career that spans healthcare, nonprofit leadership, and public service, Tamara has spent over 25 years helping organizations plan, grow, and thrive. She has worn many hats throughout her career, working in hospitals for years before transitioning to the role of public library manager at the Vernon Library. For 12 years, she led efforts in community outreach, resource development, and program coordination at the library, making a lasting impact on the community she served. Beyond that, she’s taken on leadership roles in her church and professional life, serving as a president, teacher, and strategic planning facilitator with a knack for guiding teams forward.

Tamara’s a pro at bringing people together—she shines in collaborative settings and loves finding creative fixes for tough challenges. With her warm, outgoing personality and a reputation as a servant leader, she’s built strong, lasting ties across her rural community. During her time at Vernon Library and in her church roles, she became a go-to mentor and resource, always ready to listen, encourage, and lift others up. Her gift for connecting with people, fostering community, and leading with compassion has made her a key player in strengthening local support systems and opening doors for personal growth and recovery.

On the personal side, Tamara is a dedicated mom to her four children and a devoted wife to her husband. When she’s not leading the charge at Beacon, you’ll find her soaking up family time, singing in the choir, dabbling in creative projects, or exploring new places on her travels. She’s always on the lookout for fresh ideas to bring back home to her community!