Early Life and Education
Greg Brown was born in 1960 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Growing up, he learned the value of hard work, earning money by painting house numbers on curbs. He graduated from Highland Park High School in New Jersey and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Rutgers University in 1982.
Rise to Success
Brown's career began at AT&T in 1982, where he led a team securing a major contract with General Motors and Electronic Data Systems. He later held positions at Ameritech, where he became president of Ameritech Custom Business Services and Ameritech New Media Inc.. In 2003, Brown joined Motorola as head of the communications, government, and industrial solutions sector. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2007 and named CEO in 2008.
Key Business Strategies
Under Brown's leadership, Motorola Solutions has focused on mission-critical communications, 911 command center solutions, and video security. Brown spearheaded over 50 acquisitions, transforming Motorola Solutions into a $10.8 billion (2024 revenue) company. This strategy has driven significant shareholder value, with the company achieving an almost 1,200% total shareholder return during his tenure.
Philanthropy
Brown is dedicated to giving back to the community. He has supported Rutgers University, where he established athletic facilities and contributed to academic programs. He is also actively involved in leadership roles in Chicago, supporting organizations like Skills for Chicagoland's Future and the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago.