Dr. William M. Brown

US Air Force Military Biographies, Annual, 2004

DR. WILLIAM M. BROWN

Dr. William M. Brown is chief scientist, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The directorate develops the new technologies that U.S. warfighters need to find and precisely engage the enemy and eliminate its ability to hide or threaten our forces. In collaboration with other AFRL directorates and Defense Department organizations, the directorate develops sensors for air and space reconnaissance, surveillance, precision engagement and electronic warfare systems. He is a member of the scientific and professional cadre of senior executives.

Brown has 50 years of experience in research, teaching and management, and administration. Apart from his 24 years as director and president of the Willow Run Laboratories and the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan in Ann Arbor, most of his work has been in universities, complemented by work in industry and government-related organizations and programs. His research and teaching experience is extensive in sensor systems analysis, random processes and information theory. At ERIM, and in most other work, he has been active in federally funded research and development programs.

Brown has served on various technical committees, including the Defense Department's Defense Science Board Studies and the Project Michigan Summer Study. He is chairman of the board for the International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, and continues work as a consultant to government and industry. He is a registered professional engineer in Michigan.

EDUCATION

1952 Bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown

1957 Doctor of philosophy degree in engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.

CAREER CHRONOLOGY

1. 1950-1952, assistant instructor, physics department, West Virginia University, Morgantown

2. 1954-1957, project supervisor, Countermeasures Group, Radiation Laboratory, The John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.

3. 1957-1958, technical staff member, Institute for Defense Analyses, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., and associate professorial lecturer, George Washington University

4. 1958-1963, assistant professor, later, associate professor, electrical and computer engineering department, University of Michigan (1960-1963, head, Radar and Optics Laboratory, University of Michigan)

5. 1963-1973, professor, electrical and computer engineering department, University of Michigan (1963-1968, head, Radar and Optics Laboratory, University of Michigan) (1968-1968, visiting professor, Imperial College, University of London) (1970-1973, director, Willow Run Laboratories)

6. 1972-present, chairman, International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment Inc. (1972-1973, president and founder, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan)

7. 1972-present, adjunct professor, University of Michigan

8. 1973-1994, president, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (1993-1994, chairman, Michigan Development Corp.)

9. 1994-present, chairman, Michigan Development Corp.

10. 1999-present, chief scientist, Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

AWARDS AND HONORS

First in College Prize, West Virginia University

Centennial Medal of Exceptional Service, Institute of Electrical

and Electronics Engineers

Meritorious Civilian Service Award, U.S. Air Force

1991 Michigan High-Technology Entrepreneur of the Year

Trimillennium Medal, IEEE

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

Former member, Army Science Board, Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and Institute for Defense Analyses Radar Target Designation Summer Studies

Former chairman, Air Force Space Division Advisory Group

Former special adviser, Aeronautical Systems Division,

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

Former course chairman, Engineering Summer Conferences, Intensive Course on Random Processes, University of Michigan

Former consultant, Institute for Defense Analyses

Former associate editor and editor-in-chief, Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, IEEE

(Current as of August 2001)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Honorary fraternities (4)

Fellow, IEEE

Electrical and Computer Engineering Academy, West Virginia University

National Academy of Engineering