Thomas Brown began his aviation career as an aircraft refueller in 1968 while attending college. He then became a cargo loader for Texas International Airlines (now Continental Airlines) until he graduated from the University of Texas in Austin, with a Major in Business. His academic work also included Aeronautical Engineering courses at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Mr. Brown gained early management experience during his ten years with Continental Airlines. He earned promotions into eleven different positions ranging from airport operations, to maintenance and purchasing, and finally to consumer affairs, airport automation, sales and marketing. As the Regional Director of Sales & Service, he supervised airport operations and city sales and marketing throughout the airline's route system.
In 1979, he joined Tiger International (holding company for Flying Tigers, now FedEx) in Burbank, California. As Director, Systems & Controls, he reorganized departments to reduce Corporate expenditures, researched new computerization methods to improve efficiencies and improved processes to increase profitability.
In 1981, he joined Aerotron Aircraft Radio (now Aerotron AirPower) then located in Long Beach, California. Mr. Brown held positions as Executive Assistant to the President, Vice President of Contracts, Vice President & General Manager, and finally Executive Vice President.
As Executive Vice President of Aerotron AirPower, Mr. Brown directed the contract administration for multiple designs and modifications of Heads-of-State wide-body aircraft. He was also responsible for facility management and operational development of the multi-acre aviation complex, directing public and governmental relations for company and other airport businesses.
In 1987, Mr. Brown focused his attention on accessory repair business. Mr. Brown did this by developing new computerized processes, expanding facilities, hiring new personnel and researching new products. The accessory division produced an average annual growth of 15-20%. The culmination of this successful growth was the company's selection by AlliedSignal Aerospace to be one of six worldwide Authorized Service & Warranty Centers.
In 1995, after substantial growth, he directed the relocation of Aerotron AirPower to a new state-of-the-art facility, approximately two thousand miles away, in LaGrange, Georgia. He ensured that an FAA certification was the obtained and business was operational within four weeks.
After much family deliberation, he decided not to move from California, and Mr. Brown joined Aero Technology in 1997 as General Manager and soon after became Executive Vice President. He directed the administration, marketing and financial operations of the Long Beach-based company.
Feeling a strong civic responsibility to the aviation industry, he served as President of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association in Washington, D.C. He has also served as President of the Long Beach Airport Association with the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and was also a member of the Aero Club of Southern California and the National Aviation Association. As a longtime contributor to the National Air and Space Museum, his dream was to see the opening of new facility in 2003.
In addition to supporting and negotiating with many Asian Pacific countries, Tom spent endless hours working with the INS and other government agencies to allow brilliant young business people to use their experience to improve and support the United States business community. His final success was achieved just months before he passed away, by assisting a wonderful family from Singapore with three sons to establish legal residence in California. He thrived on the diversity of each person he met in his international travel and freely shared this with his family.
Tom Brown spent the majority of his personal time volunteering in the community of La Habra, California in church and high school fund-raising activities as well as donating weekends for several years announcing local football games. Mr. Brown was "Dad" to more than his three sons. His home was always full of young people looking for guidance and love. He freely provided both and was at his was at his happiest watching young people grow into solid and successful adults. He sacrificed time and money to see that every young person that came into his life had the opportunity to obtain their dreams. Christmas of 1987 many of these "adopted" sons owe their college education to Tom. Christmas of 1997, these same young folks decided help Tom realize his ultimate dream and bought him private flight lessons to obtain his pilot's license.
Tom was a man of great integrity in both business and in his family life. He believed the greatest gift you could give your children was unconditional love. He had a quiet demeanor, but when he spoke, people listened. There were three things that mattered in Tom's life: taking care of your children, (and other children that may have been "gifted") preserving the respect of the aviation industry and giving back to your community.
Thomas "Tom" Brown, passed away on December 7, 2001 in Fullerton, California after unfortunate complications from an elective surgery that was necessary for him to continue flying. Tom is survived by his wife, Christine Ann Hajjar-Brown after 21 years of marriage, three sons, Mark, Adam and Matthew as well as two grandchildren, Grant and Taylor Brown.
His legacy will live on in those lucky enough to know his dedication and love for the aviation world and his commitment to his entire extended family. The attached selections were read by lifelong friends at his funeral in Long Beach, California, attended by many of those that were touched by his life.
THE LEGACY
When I die, give what is left of me to children.
If you need to cry, cry for your brothers and sisters walking beside you.
Put your arms around anyone and give them what you need to give me.
I want to leave you with something, something better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I have known and loved.
And if you cannot live without me, then let me live in your eyes, your mind and your acts of kindness.
You can love me most by letting hands touch hands and letting go of children
that need to be free.
Love does not die, people do.
So when all that is left of me is love...
Give me away...