Hard Work, High Rewards: Chris Brown, CPA, for the 52nd District
July 1, 2007 After spending his life living and working in Dumfries, Chris Brown, CPA, can truly say he is a strong advocate for Prince William County — and the entire Commonwealth. That's why he's running for delegate for the 52nd District.
"I'm very passionate about Virginia," Brown said. "I love her to death."
Finding solutions for transportation problems, supporting literacy and education and assisting Virginians with health care needs are all tenets of Brown's platform.
And as a CPA, he feels he's uniquely qualified to represent the 52nd in these areas.
Adopted as an infant, Brown was raised in Prince William and graduated from Gar-Field High School in 1974. From there, he worked his way through college as a janitor to earn his bachelor's degree in business administration from George Mason University. He became a CPA in 1985 and joined the VSCPA in 1986.
In 1988, he opened his own small accounting practice in Dumfries with James Uvena, CPA. Brown and Uvena, CPAs, serves small businesses and individuals.
20 Years of Service
Brown began serving Prince William as a member of Dumfries Town Council in 1985 and was elected mayor in 1998. He has sat on the Dumfries Planning Commission and Virginia Department of Transportation's Route 1 Transportation Study Group. Brown also spent 12 years representing Dumfries on the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, serving as treasurer, vice-chair and chair.
Over the past 20 years, his expertise as a CPA has served him well.
"Over the course of my involvement on Town Council and as mayor, I had to use my financial skills to assist Council members so they could understand the implications of what they were trying to do," Brown said. "I was constantly looking for ways to be more efficient — as financially efficient as I could."
Those financial skills translate into a unique understanding of tax issues. He has worked to reduce the real estate tax rate as property assessments increased, as well as reduce the costs of municipal services.
Brown sees himself as a practical leader who will work hard for the 52nd District. The key to that success, he believes, will be cultivating relationships with other local and elected leaders.
No More Gridlock
If you live in Prince William, you probably understand the issue that affects everyone: traffic congestion, seven days a week, along the I-95 corridor.
"One of our biggest issues is to make sure our people can move as quickly and expeditiously as possible to work," Brown said. "Right now we're experiencing stifling transportation problems."
Brown advocates widening Route 1 to reduce the traffic burden. "We need representation that will fight for that to come to fruition," he said. "This year we've taken steps forward to find some solutions. We're committed professionals and we can work together to find solutions."
The Economy and Education Connection
"For a strong economy to continue, our education must be top notch," Brown believes. "We need to be sure our students are prepared to compete."
Brown recognizes that different communities around the state may have different educational expenditure needs. But to keep the labor force strong and give students a solid educational background, Virginia must be prepared to find the best teachers and pay competitively.
Over his career, Brown has assisted the Literacy Volunteers of America in Prince William, and he sees the potential to connect the notion of literacy with financial literacy. "The focus should be on literacy for all adults, and what better way than to take reading literacy to another level?"
As a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, he sees boys required to attain a merit badge related to finance. Financial literacy doesn't just start with adults, he said, and he would like to continue promoting money management to youth.
The CPA as Problem Solver
It's smart for CPAs to engage in government, Brown says. "We have tremendous skills that our clients rely on. … We're very adaptive, and we can be flexible."
Brown's CPA background will certainly come in handy in budgeting, but he can also tackle issues with financial repercussions, such as health care, another area of his platform.
Virginia has enjoyed recent accolades on its economic success (see page 8), but we should not rest on our laurels, Brown states. "To stop and think of how you get to be No. 1 is exciting, but the challenge is staying there.
"To stay on top, you need mature leaders committed to doing those things that keep you there."
Brown was brought up in a household that advocated the benefits of hard work. "If you want something, you have to work to get it."
He plans to extend that philosophy to serving his neighbors in Prince William County.
| |
Comments