He first taught the fundamental forestry subjects and later became head of the Department of Forest Utilization.
In 1918, he was transferred to the American Expeditionary Force as adviser in forest products and utilization.
Brown was reappointed Professor of Forest Utilization at the New York State College of Forestry on August 1, 1921.
Brown also procured the only substantial increases in state appropriations for teaching staff salaries as well as a grant of $10,000 for forest investigations.
Brown also authored articles on the economic and practical phases of lumber production, manufacture, and consumption for technical and trade journals.