Many of Brown's writings became standard for that industry, and numerous technical manuals and videos he and his partner created two decades ago are still used as standard training aids. In the process, he produced 65 soft-skill video productions on a number of subjects, including conflict resolution, dealing with difficult people, documenting discipline, and telephone skills, to name a few.
Honing these skills is seen in his other roles, both as a partner in New Horizons, a Des Moines, Iowa-based computer skills-training company, and as chairman of MAJEC/M, a distributor of specialized computer skill-training aids. Succeeding in several ventures, he became nationally recognized as an entertaining and knowledgeable speaker in the industrial world where he spoke to or consulted with many world-class manufacturing companies in relation to their conduct of business through two- and three-tier distribution.
Brown's commercial successes began in 1959 when he joined IBT, then a newly formed company in Kansas City , Mo. , which sold mechanical apparatus, such as bearings, motors, gears, clutches, brakes, and other rotating components. A natural-born leader and professional salesman, he contributed to the firm's growing prosperity and enjoyed the fruits of his labor. A passion for staff training spurred both the firm and him to phenomenal growth and success.
Under his tutelage, IBT developed what at the time was widely acknowledged as the industry's finest internal training program. This preparation enabled the company to place highly qualified representatives in front of clients and provide them with excellent telephone resources as the firm became established throughout dozens of locations. During Brown's 25-year tenure with IBT, the firm grew into one of the largest of its kind and was consistently regarded as one of the best managed firms in the industry.
In 1957, at the age of 20, Brown was graduated with honors from the University of Missouri and thereafter completed military service as a field artillery and guided-missile officer.
He and his wife of nearly 50 years live in Leawood. They have two daughters and five grandchildren. They also maintain a large acreage complete with a lake house on the bank of the Lake of the Ozarks in the area near the remarkable conclusion of A Wind of Many Colors.
