Brown was managing director of the Defense Department's Innovation Unit.

[1] He previously served as chief executive officer for Symantec.

[2][3] Brown has also served as chairman of the board for Line 6 and for EqualLogic and as CEO and chairman of the board for Quantum Corp.[4][5] In 1980, Brown received a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Harvard University.

[3] On April 2, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Brown to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

[6] On July 14, in a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Brown requested that his nomination be withdrawn, citing an ongoing Department of Defense Inspector General investigation.