C.W. Brown marks 25th year in const. industry

C.W. Brown Inc., a general contracting and construction management firm located in Westchester County marked its 25th year in business. The company has been a major presence in the construction industry since its inception in 1984. In December 1990 they were named one of Inc. 500's fastest growing companies and more recently received the Small Business Success Award from the Business Council of Westchester in 2004. Founded by CEO Renée Brown and president Charles Brown, Jr., the duo began their journey with a van, two carpenters and a small contract to renovate a car dealership. While working full time as a facilities coordinator for Northern Telecom, Renée ran the office at night and on weekends while Charles took charge of the field and worked on client development. Within two years C.W. Brown acquired some corporate clients, including IBM and Marine Midland Bank and moved into their first "official" office on Ferris Ave. in White Plains. Since then they have had to move twice to accommodate their expanding office staff. They currently employ a team of 25 construction professionals in the office and carry more than 70 seasoned carpenters in the field. They are once again bursting at the seams and are in the process of securing a larger facility in Westchester County. For the past 25 years the company has remained stable and focused. Its growth is marked by its strong commitment to customers. All C.W. Brown employees embody the attributes of honesty, integrity, accountability and commitment. Everyone is considered an integral part of the C.W. Brown family and use a team approach in all that they do. To continue along that theme, in 2008 Renée and Charles created an Employee Ownership Stock Plan (ESOP) which gave their office staff a 10% share of this privately held company. In addition to using state of the art technology, the company also focuses on sustainability and protecting the environment. Recycling is an everyday occurrence which includes everything from office paper and soda cans to ceiling tile, steel, copper and even flooring. Earlier this year they installed photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of their building. These panels take the solar energy and convert it into electricity. Whatever excess energy remains gets pushed back to the grid and sold back to Con Edison. C.W. Brown has the distinction of being the first commercial building in New York State to activate net metering. The company not only takes care of the environment but feels that it is important to give back to the community. Every year the employees take on a holiday project which in the past have included Friends of Karen, Andrus Children's Center, Green Chimney's and My Sister's Place. Certified as a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) through WBENC and in N.Y.C., the firm provides construction services to telecommunications, banking, healthcare and corporate facilities as well as schools and universities in the tri-state area. The company is extremely proud of their most recent project, The Fordham University Graduate Center located on Westchester Avenue in West Harrison. This fast track, total gut and rehab project just received the Building of the Year Award from BOMA Westchester. A strong work ethic, family atmosphere, team approach and above all service to clients are just some of the reasons why C.W. Brown is celebrating 25 successful years in business. Sensitivity to customers and employees is positioning C.W. Brown for the next 25!