Howard Brown

Howard Brown

Chairman
David S. Brown Enterprises

Almost 90 years ago, in 1933, David Brown launched the Brown Real Estate Company. The Baltimore company was originally focused on building homes but later expanded into shopping centers and apartment complexes.

In 1973, his son Howard Brown created a new company, named after his father. David S. Brown Enterprises built on its namesake’s legacy. It built more apartments, shopping centers and condominiums across the Baltimore area and then branched out even more.

In 2001, the company built its first mixed-use development, Brookside Commons, in Owings Mills. In 2003, it built Baltimore’s first transit-oriented development, Symphony Center, and in 2012, began work on Metro Centre at Owings Mills, the first transit-oriented development in Baltimore County.

Under Howard Brown, the company also has provided generous support to the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Two years ago, he donated $2.5 million to the school, in part to establish an endowed distinguished professorship in trauma surgery. The gift pushed his financial support for the school over the years to $6.5 million.

The professorship was named in honor of Dr. Thomas M. Scalea, who cared for Brown’s daughter, the late Ms. Brown Adler. Scalea said at the time that the money would help the school attract and retain an outstanding trauma expert and leader as its new chief of trauma.

“I have always believed in taking an active part in the development of both the business and philanthropic community of Baltimore,” Brown said at the time. “Dr. Scalea is a selfless hero serving our community. His humanistic care has made an indelible impact on many families, including mine.”