Matt Brown – Healthcare Executive, Entrepreneur/Founder, and Advocate for Recovery & Purpose-Driven Living
Matt Brown is a seasoned healthcare executive with 24 years of leadership and management experience, specializing in integrated behavioral health, addiction treatment and recovery, and healthcare administration and operations. His career has been defined by his ability to build and scale integrated healthcare systems, communicate both internally and externally, drive financial sustainability, and advocate for innovative approaches to addiction treatment and mental health services.
Most recently, Matt served as Chief Administration Officer and President of ARC Healthcare at Addiction Recovery Care (ARC), where he played a pivotal role in expanding the organization from 32 beds to over 1,800 beds across a 30+ facility network employing more than 1,200 staff. Under his leadership, ARC became a nationally recognized model for full-life transformation, integrating addiction treatment with job training and long-term recovery support – well over 70,000 individuals were treated for substance use disorder in Matt’s time in leadership at ARC.
Before transitioning into executive leadership, Matt spent 12 years as a physical therapist, often leading multidisciplinary teams in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. His clinical background, coupled with his deep understanding of healthcare administration, has positioned him as a leader in advancing financially sustainable, patient-centered healthcare models.
Beyond his healthcare career, Matt is deeply committed to helping others overcome addiction and live a life of recovery and purpose. His personal journey of entering recovery in May 2014 after an 18-year battle with substance use disorder fuels his passion for helping others live a purpose-driven life. He is the Founder and Board Chair of Rise Above, a nonprofit dedicated to meeting community needs and supporting individuals in their recovery journey, and the Founder and Board Chair of The Table Christian Church, a faith-driven community focused on compassion, outreach, and service. Matt also owns two sober living homes (The Winner’s Circle and Woodland Circle) that give men and women a safe and sober place to take the next steps in their recovery journeys. Lastly, through Elk Creek Health and Wellness, LLC and Salus Solutions, LLC, Matt consults with a healthcare companies to improve operational performance, quality of care, management and leadership infrastructure, growth strategy, and practice management.
With a strong belief that recovery is possible for everyone, Matt continues to lead, advocate, and invest in solutions that transform lives and communities. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Kentucky and resides in Louisa, Kentucky, with his wife, Summer, who is a District Resource Teacher for English Language Arts in the Lawrence County School District.
Matt and Summer’s very public sharing of their story – a marriage fully recovered after Matt’s addiction – has helped change the narrative of addiction and recovery in Kentucky and beyond. Matt and Summer enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, community outreach, biking, hiking, working out, and exploring new restaurants.
“I am honored to join The ARCHway Institute as CEO and continue its vital mission of breaking down barriers to recovery. My journey – both personal and professional – has shown me that with the right support, resources, and opportunities, lasting transformation is possible. Together, we will ensure individuals have access to the care they need, empower peers in recovery, support families, and build stronger communities where hope and healing thrive.
I am incredibly excited to work alongside such a passionate and dedicated team, as well as an exceptional board of directors who have already made a tremendous impact in this space. Their commitment to supporting individuals and families affected by addiction is truly inspiring, and I look forward to building upon the strong foundation they have created. The future is bright for ARCHway, and I am grateful to be part of this incredible journey!”
– Matt Brown
