How do you measure success?
For most of us in business, we look no farther than the bottom line.
A healthy profit margin does indeed a happy businessman make.
To this, Emerson might lower his head and wince. The 19th century writer had other standards in mind.
And it is his famous quote that comes to mind as of this writing.
“How do you measure success? To laugh often ”¦ to win the respect of intelligent people ”¦ to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a redeemed social condition or a job well done ”¦ this is to have succeeded.”
Our world in Westchester lost a most successful man last week. A gentleman, an esteemed colleague, an admired leader ”“ and a really nice guy.
Charles W. Brown Jr., founder and owner of C.W. Brown Inc., died June 6 at his home in South Salem. He was 57.
Charlie, as he was known here, was chairman of the board of The Business Council of Westchester ”“ a post he”™d just taken in January.
“He was just in the beginning stages of his leadership,” Marsha Gordon, president of the Business Council, told us. “He was somebody that everybody just wanted to see succeed. That defined how special he was.”
Charlie and his wife, Renée, founded C.W. Brown, a general contracting company in Armonk in 1984.
Charlie was an established figure in the county”™s business community and “Brown” was becoming synonymous with “green.”
In March, Charlie and Renee unveiled for guests the U.S. Green Building Council”™s LEED Platinum award to the company for meeting the highest level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for its commercial office space at 1 Labriola Court.
The green office, a $2 million project, was the first commercial interior in the state to receive LEED Platinum certification outside of New York City. The company headquarters also is a learning center for LEED-accredited professionals and architects.
“He was very giving, always there to share his own experiences and help other people with any challenges,” Gordon said. “And he was always ready to provide some advice in a very humbling way, wanting nothing in return. He never, ever wanted anything in return.”
Charlie was very passionate about promoting green. In fact, he was just preparing a new column for the Business Journal to offer our readers strategies and practical tips for green construction.
“I remember so vividly Charlie”™s excitement for green construction when on a tour of his new office building ”“ now a legacy of a very special man”™s commitment to the environment and his industry,” Business Journal Publisher Dee DelBello said.
“Creative, mild-mannered Charlie”™s zest for life, his family, his friends and his business was contagious,” DelBello added. “His life was cut too short but he leaves a long roster of fond memories by all who came in contact with him.”
Indeed. Several emotional and tear-filled interviews spoke volumes about the man. Yes, the business community is mourning ”“ and missing ”“ Charlie.
As it should be.
“The entire business community mourns the tragic loss of Charlie Brown, our friend and colleague,” said Bill Mooney, president of the Westchester County Association. “He was a successful entrepreneur and a valued member of the community; above all, he was a wonderful human being. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and our colleagues at The Business Council of Westchester.”
Charlie stood tall in Westchester”™s business circles. Despite his stature, he always greeted us with a genuine smile and modest demeanor. It was that simplicity that set him apart.
When the Business Council presented Charlie with its Small Business Success Award during a ceremony in 2004, “there wasn”™t a dry eye in the house,” Gordon recalled.
“His story and his emotions, how he and Renee built that business, was so touching. Here was a man ”“ a real man”™s man ”“ and there were tears in his eyes as he was talking about how humbled he was by the award and his success.”
His colleagues at C.W. Brown intend to carry on that success.
“There are no words to express the profound sadness we all feel right now, we have lost our friend and leader,” his employees wrote in an email to us.
“We are heartbroken for Renee and their three daughters, and they remain in all our thoughts and prayers. At times, it seems impossible to get through the day, but we all know that this company is Charlie”™s legacy, and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to continue on in his memory.”
Charlie is also remembered by colleagues as a very charitable man who gave a great deal to many organizations, including Andrus Children”™s Center. He also was an active member of the boards of Economic Development for the County of Westchester, the Building Owners & Managers Association, St. Luke”™s School, Mahopac National Bank and the Construction Management Advisory Committee at Utica College.
For the past 18 years, was a village trustee/deputy mayor of the Village of West Hampton Dunes.
“I saw on the news reports of sharks (in West Hampton) and I mentioned it to Charlie,” Gordon said. “”˜Oh, they”™re nothing,”™ he told me.
“He was just fearless. I”™ve really never known anyone like Charlie Brown.”
Charlie Brown is survived by his wife and daughters Amy, Kimberly and Molly.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in honor of Charlie Brown be made to the Westchester Community College Foundation, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, NY 10595.
