giving generously from the heart

For over 25 years, Alexander Youth Network has been a part of Rob Carter’s life. It all started in 1997 when Rob joined the AYN team as the Business Manager. But his familiarity with the organization dates back to when he was in third grade when his class would come out to the Thermal Road campus to attend swim lessons.

In 1997, Alexander Youth Network rescued Rob in a time of need. Rob learned in late 1996 that his current employer was abruptly winding down operations at the same time Craig Bass (Alexander CEO) was in their office looking at the conference room furniture. Craig and Rob knew each other through their time together in Boy Scouts. As they caught up, Craig inquired about Rob’s future plans given the situation at hand. Rob’s only plan was to get married the following spring. As luck would have it, Alexander was looking for a Business Manager! So Rob came on board along with the conference room furniture, and his connection to Alexander grew.

In his time as the Business Manager, Rob discovered the magic that happens at the Thermal Road campus. It was so much more than just swimming and basketball. It was mental and behavioral health treatment. It was the re-writing of kids’ stories. Rob began to understand the importance of and the need for this type of treatment, especially among the economically challenged within our community. Rob said, “When you include the stories of abuse that almost always accompany the children being treated, the AYN mission gets in your heart and stays there”. What’s more important than taking care of our children?

Rob left AYN for graduate school in 1998, but he stayed connected in various ways; purchasing and wrapping Christmas gifts with his own kids for our Angel Network program and always attending the annual luncheon, Celebrating our Kids. Knowing what was being accomplished at AYN and how important this work is to our community, he was committed to staying involved: “It is a special place.” He also wanted to stay in touch with Craig Bass, who was and still is a mentor for him in business, parenting, and life: “He is an inspirational and selfless leader.”

In 2011, Rob began spending all his time in Asheville, NC, when he and his brother Rich started Carter PC, a full-service accounting firm. The business provides audit and tax services to businesses, non-profits, and individuals throughout the southeast, with offices located in Asheville, Charlotte and Greenville, SC. A silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic was that travel became optional. As a result, Rob now works in their Charlotte office. He is picking up where he left off in 2011, trying to pay Alexander back for everything it does for the families in our community. As well as what it did, and continues to do, for him.

We are so thankful to Rob and Carter PC for their steadfast support of both time and treasure. It is because of folks like Rob and his company that we are able to provide the high-quality care we do.