Mark N. Brown papers

Mark N. Brown was born November 18, 1951 to Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Brown in Valparaiso, Indiana. He graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1969 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University in 1973.

Brown received his pilot wings at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, in 1974. He was then assigned to the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan, where he flew both T-33 and F-106 aircraft. In 1979 Brown was transferred to the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and received his Master of Science degree in Astronautical Engineering in 1980.

In 1980 Brown was employed at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center as an engineer in the Flight Activities Section, he participated in the development of contingency procedures for use aboard the Space Shuttle and served as an attitude and pointing officer. Brown supported STS flights 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 41-C in the Flight Activity Officer/Staff Support Room of the Mission Control Center.

Selected by NASA in May 1984, Brown became an astronaut in June 1985, and qualified for assignment as a mission specialist on future Space Shuttle flight crews. In December 1985, he was assigned to the crew of a Department of Defense mission which was subsequently canceled due to the Challenger accident. During 1986 and 1987, he served as an astronaut member of the solid rocket booster redesign team.

In February 1988 Brown was assigned to a new flight crew, and on August 8-13, 1989 he flew on STS-28, following which he served as astronaut member on the Space Station Freedom Program. He next flew on STS-48, September 12-18, 1991. With the completion of his second mission, Brown logged over 249 hours in space.

Brown left NASA in July 1993 and retired from the United States Air Force to head up the Space Division office of General Research Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. Duties included support to NASA through NASW-4470 to NASA HQ, Code M. This contract provided technical support to the NASA Space Station Program, NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission, the NASA Space Shuttle Program, the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications, and NASA HQ.

In 1995 Brown became Director of Aerospace Programs, Decision Technologies Division, GRC International, Inc. Brown’s assignment to the Aerospace Programs group expanded his management responsibilities to include support to Air Force air and space projects in addition to NASA.

In 1996 Brown was promoted to Acting Director of East Coast Operations, Decision Technologies Division, GRC International, Inc. He assumed responsibility for this $6.5M business involving NASA, the Air Force, commercial, and other government activities. Duties included full budget accounting and management of computer programmers, engineers, technicians, scientists, and administrative personnel located in three different states.

From 1998 to 2000, Brown served as Director of Air Force and NASA Business Development, Corporate Marketing and Business Development, GRC International, Inc. He actively participated in the development of new business opportunities for GRC International. His wide experience base with government and commercial business proved invaluable to GRCI in identifying new areas for technology growth and in developing solutions to customer problems.

In 2002 Brown became the Director, Wire Integrity Programs, GRC International, Inc. an AT&T Company (GRC International was purchased by AT&T in 2001 and became AT&T Government Solutions in 2002). Brown assembled a team of six companies in 2000 to provide the technologies needed by the airlines and military services to dramatically improve the testing used to maintain wiring in aircraft, the storage of the testing data, the analyses of the test data, and laboratory studies to understand the aging phenomenology.

Brown became District Manager, Air & Space Programs Development, AT&T Government Solutions, Inc. in 2003. He was a member of the Air Force and NASA Account Teams responsible for the development and execution of a business development plan for the Air Force and NASA. Duties include marketing, business development, budget analysis, capabilities assessments, strategic planning, customer visits, and proposal support.

Later in 2003 he became Vice President and General Manager, Computer Sciences Corporation Federal Sector-Defense Group, Aerospace Division. Brown was the overall manager of the CSC Aerospace Business Unit responsible for operations, business development, and P&L. This business unit includes information technology, logistics support, space systems, program control, finance, and intelligence support.

In 2006 Brown became President and Chief Operating Officer, MTC Technologies. As the President and COO of MTC, Brown was responsible for the day to day operations of this 3,000 person, $450M a year company. His duties included the management, supervision, and direction of all operations of the company including all corporate and subsidiary operations. On December 21, 2007, MTC signed an agreement to be purchased by BAE Systems.

In 2008, MTC became part of BAE Systems, and Brown transitioned into a role as Vice President and General Manager within this firm. With BAE, he oversaw continuing operations of the business unit as well as the integration of MTC into BAE Systems. In October 2008 his business unit was reorganized within BAE Systems, and Brown became leader of the BAE Systems Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Initiative. He was responsible for the development of BAE’s UAV business in the United States and overseas. He joined MCR Federal in June 2010 as the head of their Dayton, Ohio operations. This business unit supported Air Force program offices at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Beyond his managerial responsibilities, Brown was involved in the migration of unmanned aircraft from Department of Defense use into civil and commercial applications.

In 2012 Brown became an aerospace consultant, providing services to support corporate organization and structure, strategic planning, marketing, and business development.

In November 2014, Brown joined Peerless Technologies Corporation as a senior partner. In this capacity, he advises multiple organizations within Peerless’ federal client base in order to help them understand and solve their most challenging problems.

Brown's special honors include: NASA Space Flight Medal, Distinguished Graduate from Air Force ROTC, Aerospace Defense Command, "We Point With Pride" Award, Air Force Command Pilot, Senior Space Badge, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.